MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF INTERCLUB ALGARVE HELD AT VILAMOURA MILLENNIUM CLUBHOUSE ON 9 JANUARY 2024
Club Representatives in attendance:
Alto: Dave Hackett, Jim Telfer. Amendoeira: Keiko Bates, Petter Barth. Boavista: Helen Sees. Carvoeira: Peter Hill. Espiche: Simon Beard. Laranjal: Karsten Pomaska. Levante: Gary Gray. Morgado: Andrew Thompson. Palmares: Claire Juster, Ciaran O’Donnell. Parque de Floresta: Ian Galloway, Carol Newland. Penina: Peter Mills, Stacey Thomas. Pinheiros Altos: David Frost. Quinta do Lago: Tony King, Mark Foot. Quinta do Vale: Diana Pierce. Serra de Monchique: Dave Darling. Silves International: Tom O’Neil. Salgados: Paul Morrison. Tavira: Graeme Mowat, John Scott. Vale do Lobo: Vaughn Thomas, Judy Wildon. Vila Sol: Simon Ferguson. Vilamoura Ernie Johnston, Gunner Bergquist.
Management Committee (MC): Eric Innes, Graham Miller
1.Apologies for absence
David Lightburn, Carvoeira, Robert Sees, Boavista, Nick Daly MC
2.Approval of minutes from 2023 AGM
The minutes from the last AGM were approved as written
Acceptance of minutes proposed by Vilamoura and seconded by Espiche
3.Management Committee Report
The report, which was sent to all member clubs before the meeting, was presented by the Chairman, who proposed adoption as written
Acceptance of report proposed by Vila Sol and seconded by Espiche
4.Financial Report
The report was presented and accepted as written
Acceptance of report proposed by Penina and seconded by Carvoeira
Post meeting note: coffees for the AGM cost €110.00 so the carried over balance is €1621.23
5.Amendments to rules:
(1)Season to b e extended
Season to b e extended to 14 November annually and clubs encouraged to make use of July and August for matches, thus easing the pressure on the high season times. Matches can be played immediately following the Annual General Meeting when club rules for the season, are approved. Proposed by Serra da Monchique, Seconded by Parque da Floresta
( 2) Handicap system:
The World Handicap System (WHS) now recommends that in pairs match play the players are given 100% sloped handicap, with the lowest player, playing from zero and the remaining players receiving 90% of the difference.
Therefore, it is no longer necessary to use the 90% chart as provided by the FPG.
The rules will be updated accordingly.
Vilamoura proposed that the difference be altered to 75%. Vila Sol seconded this as they have 15 members below a handicap of 4, who no longer want to participate in Interclub due to the number of shots they have to give.
It should be noted that no evidence was presented, in support of this proposal.
There followed a period where a whole variety of views on the fairest handicap allowance, appropriate for Interclub, including significantly reducing the maximum handicap permitted were expressed.
The Chairman considered that proper consideration was required before we agreed to vary the handicap from that recommended by the World Handicap System.
He stressed that Interclub had been successful, throughout its 30 years of competition, principally because it was inclusive, thus recognising the different sizes of clubs participating.
The Chairman also reminded member clubs that under the existing handicap rules, all divisions had been competitive with final results only decided on the last days of competition.
As there were so many suggestions and proposals a vote was taken on a further proposal by Eric, chairperson of the MC, that the MC will carry out an independent survey of the clubs to ascertain what the impact would be if any of the suggestions were to be implemented in 2025.
The (MC) will report back in 3 months.
This was seconded by Silves International and a vote was taken with 11 in favour, 10 against with one club abstaining.
The handicap system, as recommended by WHS will be in place in the 2024 season.
6.Restructuring of divisions
Restructurung of Divisions is no longer necessary as Castro Marim have confirmed that they will be able to compete in 2024.
7.Cost of lunches is currently recommended as euro 30.
The Chairman explained that the (MC) have no control over the cost at individual clubs.
Vale da Lobo suggested that the cost be increased to €35 and the home club absorb any difference.
Penina suggested that to keep costs down, clubs should consider only having 2 courses.
A vote was taken and it was decided that the current recommended maximum charge would be maintained at euro;30
8.Finals Day
Finals day was subsidised using Interclub funds and 192 attended on a very successful day at Amendoeira.
There is now an excess of funds and the MC will look at subsidising the finals day further in 2024.
The subscription rate for 2024 was confirmed at euro;150.
It is likely that Vila Sol, winners of division 1, will host the 2024 finals.
The MC proposed that the rule remain unchanged with the Division 1 Champions given the opportunity to host finals day. If they are unable to host, then the MC would select a central venue.
The vote in favour of this process was unanimous.
9.The Knockout draw took place and will be posted on the Webb Site
10.Re election of Management Committee.
Nick Daly had offered to step down from his role as treasurer if a replacement was available.
Mark Foot, Quinta do Lago agreed to take on the role and this was approved.
Nick Daly was was thanked with gratitude for his services to the Interclub league, over many years.
Eric and Graham intend to step down in the next 2 years and therefore, replacements will be needed. Meetings usually take place 3 times a year, with very few issues.
There being no other business the Chairman thanked everyone for their contribution and wished everyone a successful season.
The meeting concluded at 11.15am