2017 AGM/Report

Notes on the MDSL 2017 AGM held at Houldsworth GC,

We were delighted with the response from the League Clubs in attending the AGM at Houldsworth on Thursday, October 5^th. Thank you again for your great support.

On behalf of our League, we thanked Graham Brine and the Council of Houldsworth for hosting our AGM and use of the excellent Houldsworth facilities. Graham welcomed everyone to the home of the Champions!!

Those who were able to join in the pre- AGM golf competition had a very enjoyable 9-hole Texas Scramble played in mainly sunny conditions on a rather damp course after the heavy overnight rain. The lunch to follow was excellent. We were grateful for Grahams organisational skills in mixing up the players into teams and to the other Houldsworth members, co-opted by Graham, who lead the way to make the golf memorable. A win-win situation for all and some with a prize as a memento

AGM Attendees included:

AVRO, Paul Johnson, Vic Tarr, Dave Hulley, Blackley, Dave Foulner, Chris Stuttart, Brookdale, Philip Forshaw, Gazza Smith, Joe Loughman, Cheadle, Mike Westbrook, Dukinfield, Peter Forshaw, Glossop, Bill Wheeler (David Horsey Charity manager), Houldsworth, Graham Brine, Macclesfield, John Sherwood, Clive Howlett, Marple, Jeff Crowder, MDSL , Jim Smethurst (League Organiser), Mellor& MDSL, Dave Jones Sec/Treasurer, New Mills, Phil Smallman, Reddish Vale, Phil Reeves, Rod Dean, Shrigley Hall, Howard Rowley, Rod Scott, David Durling, Peter Duffy, , Tytherington, Martyn Harris, Werneth Low, Dave Francis and his colleague.

Apologies for absence were received from: , Geoff Elliott of Mellor, Neil Drummond of Macclesfield, & David Blackburn of Styal.

(Apologies if I've missed anyone out) Please let me know if I have!

Comments noted on the review of 2017,

· The finals day at Marple was a resounding success and we thanked Marple for hosting our finals day. Houldsworth are the worthy new MDSL League Champions for 2017.

· Increasing problem of getting 16 players for a fixture, 8 for League and 8 for the Social part of the match. It was agreed that 8 players will be the minimum for the League.For the social part of each match, the numbers can be reduced from 8 by mutual agreement of the two Clubs before the match. However sufficient notice of a reduced number of players must be given to the opponent.

· For the North Zone, there was a discussion over the use of other non-zone clubs (ref Rules 6, 13 & 17) to make up the short fall of fixtures following the inability to replace Fairfield in 2017. Two of the clubs strongly argued that it would be fairer to restrict the matches to playing only league matches and to effectively not use Rule 17 and thus play only 6 league matches until a new Club joins the North Zone. (Post AGM, it was agreed with the North Zone Club representatives that this will be OK for the next season if a new Club doesn’t join). A question was asked on how many clubs have been invited to join our league. In reply, it was pointed out that several including Denton, Ashton-u-Lyne, Manchester, Fairfield, Whitefield, Rochdale and Werneth Low have all shown interest over the last 12 months, but apart from the latter two, fixture congestion and participation in other leagues has been cited as the main reason not to join us at this time.

· It was suggested that whilst playing other non-league social fixtures, our clubs may wish to bring the idea of possibly joining of our league to their attention. Clubs need to be made aware of our league and most have been invited to join based upon a personal contact during matches.

· There was a discussion of match start times. Heavy morning traffic makes early starts at 9am difficult for some clubs. A later start (after 10:30) means that the whole day is taken up and the evening rush traffic causes more frustrations. Whilst this is an inter Club problem rather than a league issue, it is deemed sensible to try to have the matches played starting between 9 and 10am, but the actual times should be agreed in advance between the two competing clubs.

· In general the majority felt the league is well run, the zoning of clubs and fixtures seems to work reasonably well for most and the mix of Competitive and Social golf desirable. There are exceptions and some clubs would prefer to move back to ad hoc fixtures and even a knock out format was suggested. Tytherington in particular don’t like the zonal system and have decided after just 5 years to leave our league which is regretted. Martyn Harris of Tytherington gave the rationale for leaving as his seniors want to play different clubs each year and would prefer the league to be more flexible to the Tytheringtons requirements.

Fixture plans for 2018,

· North Zone: If Rochdale decide to join, (and Rochdale will make their decision later this month following a Council meeting), the Clubs will increase to 5 and all clubs will play each other, making a total of 8 fixtures, Home and Away. If Rochdale don’t join, the North zone will play just 6 matches, 3 home and 3 away. The top two teams will proceed to the play-off finals.

· Central Zone: Werneth Low have expressed an interest to join our league and two representatives were present at our AGM. They will make a decision by the end of this month. If they join, we will introduce a rotation system in the Central Zone. If they do not join, the clubs will play the same 8 matches as in 2017.

· South Zone: With the loss of Tytherington, all 5 clubs will play each other

Subscriptions: Our Secretary/Treasurer announced that the League subscription for 2018 will be £15/club. The subscription may need to be increased in 2019.

Management of the League

including a proposed restructuring of its management.

Jim Smethurst who had given notice at the AGM 2016 announced his decision to reluctantly stand down for several personal reasons as League Organiser. He’s had a busy 7 years in office during which time, Whitefield and Fairfield withdrew, Cheadle rejoined, Tytherington joined, a new website was designed and implemented and the league was split into a successful new zonal system.

There is no obvious and available candidate to take over as League Organiser and based upon the need for continuity, Jim has proposed that a new Management Committee be set up. Jim’s key concern is that the management of the league presently is in the almost exclusive hands of one person and he would like to see more shared responsibility and to share the work load. Clearly with no obvious volunteer to take over, the league will have to close down. No one wants this! Jim has offered to continue helping until he’s satisfied that we have a new working solution and hopes this will take a maximum of two months.

A new Management committee is thus proposed and would have representation from the three zones. It is proposed that this new committee should have a Chairman to oversee the wellbeing and direction of the league. David Jones of Mellor in the Central zone, who was a founder member of the original committee is prepared to stay on for a further year as Secretary Treasurer, so he would logically be the representative from the Central zone and perhaps the Chairman for next year. Roy Preston of Dukinfield (North Zone) and Howard Rowley of Shrigley Hall (South Zone) have volunteered. Rod Dean of Reddish Vale has also volunteered to help and said he would revert with his ideas. It is proposed that these management committee positions could be held on an annual or two yearly basis. It was agreed that this new committee should meet with me within the next month to attempt to define the roles. (Post meeting: I will start to prepare the fixture lists for the next year 2018 so that the handover should be straightforward. I foresee the new roles as the Secretary Treasurer, the Events (Finals day and AGM) Organiser and the Fixtures and Results coordinator who also looks after the website. The new committee members will be responsible for liaising with the other clubs in their zones. The chairman will ensure the league remains healthy and smooth running and can assist as necessary).

Volunteer Clubs for Finals Day (third week September) and AGM meeting(first week of October).

We have received four nominations for the 2018 Finals Day:

· Brookdale, Macclesfield, Reddish Vale & Shrigley Hall

and four for the hosting of the AGM:

· Brookdale, Mellor, Marple and Shrigley Hall

I understand that all are subject to final agreement by the respective clubs. We thanked the clubs for their offers. If any other clubs wish to be considered as hosts, please contact the league organiser as soon as possible.

At the 2015 AGM it was agreed that the venues for Finals Day and the AGM should be rotated by zone. The next year venues should be agreed shortly & within the next 4 weeks.

I have attached below for reference a list of the historic venues of the Finals Day and the AGM.

There being no other business, Jim thanked all the Clubs and attendees for their good wishes and wished the league every success in its future.

Jim Smethurst MDSL League Organiser

7^th October 2017

7th October: I've added my notes on the 2017 AGM (League Part) held at Houldsworth GC on Thursday, 5th October - see section 2017 League AGM &Report Please send me any comments or corrections. Thank You. Jim Smethurst

The 2017 League Report has been attached as a file link at the bottom of this web page. MDSL2017LeagueReport.pdf . Click on the file link at the bottom of this home page.

Houldsworth GC are hosting our 2017 AGM which will be held on Thursday, 5th October. Host for the Day: Graham Brine, Senior Organiser of Houldsworth GC.

In a departure from previous years, the AGM of the MDSL Golf League is now a standalone event which replaces the original Secretaries meeting.

This is your Golf League and the League Organiser hopes that all clubs in the League will attend and contribute to the meeting and the pre-meeting golf. It is recommended that all clubs are represented by the Senior Organiser and his Alternate(s) and Clubs may wish to bring along other golfing colleagues. It was also agreed at last year’s AGM that this meeting will contain a report on the Derek Horsey Charity Golf competition. All clubs who have previously attended the Secretaries Meeting are invited to join this new format meeting of the Manchester & District Seniors Golf League.

Programme for the day:

Complementary Coffee and registration: 9:30 am

9 or 12 Hole Golf competition, depending on number of competitors (Shot Gun Start & Texas Scramble) :10:00 am

Lunch: 1 to 1:30pm

AGM: 1:45 to 2:45pm

Close of Meeting

Questions for the AGM meeting:

All Clubs are asked to submit questions they have for the AGM in writing and send to the League Organiser and Host, in advance of the meeting. (smethurstjim@aol.com, cc grahambrine@gmail.com)

AGENDA for the AGM:

(The match fee for the golf , lunch and prizes will be £12 per player, payable to our host on the day).

Complementary Coffee and registration: 9:30 am

9 or 12 Hole Golf competition, depending on number of competitors (Shot Gun Start & Texas Scramble) :10:00 am

Lunch: 1 to 1:30pm

AGM: 1:45 to 2:45pm

Close of Meeting

Questions for the AGM meeting:

All Clubs are asked to submit questions they have for the AGM in writing and send to the League Organiser and Host, in advance of the meeting. (smethurstjim@aol.com, cc grahambrine@gmail.com)

AGENDA for the 2017 AGM:

(The match fee for the golf , lunch and prizes will be £12 per player, payable to our host on the day).

J.Smethurst, League Organiser

Graham Brine, Seniors Organiser, Houldsworth GC

9th September 2017

This meeting will be open to all clubs in the Manchester & District Seniors catchment area in addition to clubs taking part in the MDSL League.

A note from David Jones (dated 6th October)on the Secretaries/ Organisers Meeting held at Blackley GC on 5th Oct 2016: (Sent to Frank.Hauxwell@btinternet.com, dave.foulner@btinternet.com, philip.forshaw@talk21.com, Records45@btinternet.com, Brian.Lever.1938@sky.com, bill.hibbert1@btinternet.com, dandm.townend@btinternet.com, david.money101@gmail.com, grahambrine@gmail.com, info@kerridgeendholidaycottages.co.uk, Tinks@cheshire40.freeserve.co.uk, keithkarenbuchanan@gmail.com, jeffrey.crowder@btinternet.com, geoffelliott@ntlworld.com, phil.smallman@talktalk.net, colinandsuefarrow@ntlworld.com, Stevwell@gmail.com, howard.rowley@gmail.com, dbconsultant12@virginmedia.com, jwseaford@aol.com, bpoynts@btinternet.com)

Gents

A poorly attended meeting was held at Blackley on 5 October. Only 13 of the clubs invited attended and there was insufficient interest to play golf before the meeting.

Originally, the meeting was held in the infancy of seniors golf, the purposes being to arrange friendly matches and advertise opens. It was always preceded by golf and if you did not get your name down early, you were not guaranteed to play. It was also nice to meet old friends.

As time went on, the numbers attending decreased because the matches became just confirming existing arrangements and the inter net became a much better way to advertise your open.

It was there for decided at the meeting that, in future, the only agenda items would be the Derek Horsey competition and the Seniors league. It was also agreed that the club hosting the meeting should arrange it.

Next year, the meeting will be at Houldsworth and will be convened by Graham Brine.

Regards David Jones

Jims notes for the AGM :

Good afternoon Gentlemen

1. I'm Jim Smethurst, the Seniors League Organiser and I welcome you all to this AGM of the Seniors League. Many thanks for coming as I consider this an important meeting and the only time we can all meet face to face.

2. I wish to thank David Jones, the Secretary and Treasurer for arranging this meeting and League AGM today. On behalf of the MDSL league, I also thank Frank Hauxwell and the Captain & Members of Blackley GC golf club for hosting this meeting.

3. I have circulated my report on the league for pre-reading by email and its been posted on the MDSL website for a couple of days.

4. I want to talk about four things :

5. Part 1: A Review of the League 2016

6. The league seemed to run quite smoothly and this was our second year of consolidation of the Zonal structure. I believe we had a successful year which culminated with the league play-off Finals Day held at Houldsworth GC on 22th September and contested between Blackley, Brookdale,Glossop, Macclesfield, Marple and Shrigley Hall. A total of 303 golfers took part in the 64 league games which were played between early April and 12th September.

7. The MDSL website for the league was again well used and well received. It contains news on what's happening in the league with up to date results and tables. I must thank all the club organisers for providing me with the match results speedily and David Durling for continuing to supply topical monthly quizzes on the rules of golf.

8. Our league format of mixing social and competitive golf is a good mix I believe. However, we are starting to see some issues involving the number of seniors making themselves available for some matches. For example, Macclesfield we unable to field a full team of 8 pairs on at least two occasions and the social part of the game was cancelled. The reasons may be several including fixture congestion, the costs of playing in matches and the increasing congestion on Greater Manchester Roads outside the school holiday season.

9. Blackley GC were this years winners of the League Trophy at Houldsworth with a winning score in the playoffs of 121 points. It was a glorious day and the course was in superb condition. Glossop were the runners up on 116, beating Macclesfield 116 on a 4th card playoff. The Trophy for the best performing pair in the finals was awarded to Arthur Tattersall and Rob Gardner of Blackley with 41 points. On behalf of the League,

10. I thanked Captain Kenny Miller and the management of Houldsworth GC for their excellent hospitality in providing the course, a courtesy round for the players and excellent facilities and catering for the League final. I had a special mention for Graham Brine of Houldsworth for his superb assistance in setting up the final and organising his team of Marshalls and starters. Thanks also to David Jones for arranging the trophies and mementos for the players and to my assistant, Howard Rowley for his help on the day.

11. Fairfield GC have decided to withdraw from their participation in the league next season. With regret I have accepted their withdrawal which I understand is due to difficulty in raising teams to fulfil fixtures.

12. This is unfortunate as I'd already assumed they would continue and prepared the new fixtures list for 2017.

13. Part 2: What are the plans for 2017?

14. My key concern over the last couple of weeks has been to ensure we have a workable league with agreed fixtures ready in time for next year. We have a minor crisis!!

15. You are all; aware that arranging league fixtures is difficult. Losing one club from the North Zone of 5 Clubs minimum means that we must have a Club to replace Fairfield. I had hoped to persuade Denton or Ashton to join us, but it now appears unlikely that this will happen in time for the 2017 season.

16. So what's my proposed solution for 2017

17. I've outlined this in my report but essentially, as we cannot slot a new club into the place of Fairfield, we'll have to move a club from the central zone to the North. In the South Zone we currently have 6 clubs, so we need to move a club from South to Central.

18. After much thought and deliberation, I believe the optimum change will be to request Reddish Vale to move to the North and Cheadle to move to the Central Zone.

19. (I had considered leaving Cheadle in the South and moving Shrigley Hall to replace Reddish Vale in the Central Zone. However, I consider this would leave two strong and dominant clubs in the South (Macclesfield & Tytherington) which may seem unfair to the other clubs as I could foresee these dominant clubs always vying for the two top league spots which seems a little unfair to the other three teams).

20. I need the full cooperation of both Reddish Vale and Cheadle to make this work.

21. There are some additional points I would like to discuss which I've outlined in my report and provided a Confidential questionnaire for all clubs to complete. The issue include

22. should we allow league only matches?

23. Should we raise the age limit to 60 or even 65 from 55.

24. Add bonus points to matches for fielding older seniors in the teams

25. Issues over costs and match fees

26. Should we have more flexibility on start times and numbers of players.

27. Oh yes, and the good news is that we can reduce the League subscription back to £15/club for 2017.

28. Etc. What do we want out of the league and can it work better?

29. Please complete the questionnaire and I'll compile the results to see what everyone thinks and wants and we'll play it from there.

30. Finally, have I any volunteers to host the 2017 League Play-off finals from the Central Zone clubs clubs? (Last two years have been North, and previous two years South).

31. I believe we need a league AGM every year, with or without pre-meeting golf. If we play golf beforehand, great, but lets limit golf to just 9 or 11 holes.

32. It would be good to meet at a golf club and any volunteers to hold next years AGM would be welcomed. (Failing this I will propose to hold it at Shrigley Hall to be preceded by a 9 hole golf game starting at 10am with a light lunch followed by the meeting at 2pm).

33. My final remarks are to thank you all for your understanding and patience and to let you all know that I'm prepared to continue running the league for one further year if the meeting wishes me to do so. I took over running the league at the AGM at Blackley GC in 2010 so I've now been in charge for 6 full years and the 7th will definitely be my last.

34. So will a new volunteer please step forwards in the next few months and I'll gladly offer all my help to set him up.

35. Any questions and comments?

The MDSL AGM & SECRETARIES Meeting at Blackley GC on Wednesday 5th October

CHANGE OF FORMAT AND TIMINGS: New Time 2pm, (Meeting in the Blackley GC Committee Room)

Gentlemen,

Some of you may already have received a notification on the meeting change from David Jones.

It was agreed between the Meeting Organiser (David Jones), the Host Club (Blackley GC - Frank Hauxwell) , Bill Wheeler (Organiser of the Derek Horsey Charity Knock out) and the MDSL League (Jim Smethurst-LeagueOrganiser) to cancel the 18-hole golf competition in the morning (lack of sufficient numbers) and to bring forward the Meeting/AGM from 3:30pm to 2pm.

(For those of the attendees that would like lunch before the meeting at 1pm, this can be arranged by contacting David Jones).

We certainly need to have an AGM of the league each year. This meeting is also a valuable forum for promotion of the Derek Horsey Charity golf competition.

Regarding the MDSL league, particularly this year and looking forward into 2017, there are several issues which need resolution.

One of the issues this year is to decide how we can replace Fairfield GC who have recently advised that they wish to leave the league, (reason stated insufficient number of seniors available to play). I have asked Fairfield to reconsider but I have not yet received their reply.

There are a few possible solutions to Fairfields withdrawal which will involve attempting to bring a new Club into to North Zone of the league. We'll outline and discuss possible solutions at the AGM.

To maintain the integrity of the league clearly we may need to move a Club from the Central Zone to the North and a club from the South (which currently have six clubs) to the Central zone. Alternatively introduce a new club into the North Zone directly. In any event, we'll continue efforts to bring new clubs into the league. This issue needs an early resolution as 2017 inter-club fixtures need to be agreed within the next couple of months.

I appeal to clubs to please try to attend our meeting next Wednesday with at least one representative from each league club.

I would appreciate knowing as soon as possible if you are able to attend by letting me know attendees name(s)/ Club by email to: Smethurstjim@aol.com

cc dhjones1@talktalk.net

I hope to see many of you next Wednesday at Blackley GC.

Kind regards Jim

James (Jim) Smethurst

smethurstjim@aol.com

League Organiser, MDSL

20th October 2015: The notes on the recent AGM/ Secretaries Meeting held at Poulton Park on 14/10/15 which have been revised following some comments by participants.

Notes on the MDSL 2015 AGM & Secretaries Meeting

(from briefing notes provided by Howard Rowley, with some corrections added on 20th Oct)

(Held at Poulton Park GC on 14th October 2015)

A. The League AGM:

The 2015 MDSL League report was presented by Howard Rowley on my behalf as I was unable to attend the meeting at Poulton Park GC. (The report had been forwarded in advance to all League Clubs and posted on the MDSL website).

The discussion on the report highlighted the following points:

1. 1. The League in 2016: The meeting was extremely happy for Jim Smethurst (as League Organiser) and David Jones (as Secretary/ Treasurer) to carry on running the League for a further year.

2. 2. 2016 Zones

I. Tytherington (Brendan Poynts) wondered if the South zone should be run slightly differently to offset the imbalance of Clubs eg have all 6 play each other in the League and then work out the top two places by taking 5/6 of the points.

II. Macclesfield (Peter Tinkler) suggested that 7 Clubs should make the Final, 2 each from North and Central, and 3 from South, based on the fact that the North and Central Clubs have more chance of getting to the final than South Clubs eg 2 from 5 = 40% as against 2 from 6 = 34%. (Of course, 3 from 6 = 50% gives the Zone South clubs a better chance!)

These above points (1. & 2.) need further deliberation so a vote was not called for. The general feeling of the meeting was sympathetic but unsupportive.

III. It was mentioned that there was still a distinct possibility that one Club might withdraw from the League before the 2016 season. If this did happen, some fixture re-arrangements would be required and the Zones re-balanced. The loss of a league club would be most unfortunate at this time as we look to a period of stability in our League. This statement halted these discussions.

IV. None of the invited Clubs said that they wanted to join the League at this time.

3. 3. League Subscription agreed to increase to £20. This follows the rational presented in the League report. These subscriptions are due on 1st January 2016. David Jones will provide his Bank Transfer details and email out to everyone for payment of the Annual Subscription. He prefers on line banking to cheques .

4. 4. Play-off Finals in 2016: Houldsworth GC have offered to hold the play-off finals, subject to agreement of their Council. The League is delighted to accept Houldsworth's offer there being no objections from the league clubs. Graham Brine, Houldsworths Senior Organiser, will revert to the League Organiser and a date and timings will be mutually agreed in due course.

5. 5. Day Timings for the Play-off Finals: There was discussion on the day timings for the League Finals day. It was pointed out that if the League Play-off Finals Day golf was started later (around lunchtime), and only used 2 tees (with the corresponding staggered meals), there would be less opposition from Golf Clubs as it wouldn't impact Club Members to the same degree.

6. 6. Courtesy of the Course: John Burrows (Dukinfield GC) raised a point made by Dukinfield membership who were unable to play on their course during the finals: i.e. That with three starting tees for this years MDSL final, the course was closed for some time. Perhaps it would be possible for other clubs to offer courtesy of their course on the day, for the club hosting The MDSL Play off.

Post meeting comment from League Organiser on 20/11/15 , regarding points 5. & 6.: Re Point 5.: I will consult with the host club (probably Houldsworth GC in 2016) to determine what the host club recommend and prefer. Once play has completed, I believe the competitors shouldn't have to wait around too long and the results cannot be checked, verified and audited until all competitors have returned all the cards. Consequently, the more start tees that can be used, the less waiting around for some following the competition. It's possible that a later start time would ease the early morning travelling for some and free up the course for members during the morning..

Re Point 6.: I believe the Dukinfield suggestion should be followed up. It seems fair and reasonable that a Club requesting Courtesy from a host club for its 8 players should be in a position to reciprocate for 8 players to play the requesting clubs course at a mutually acceptable time during a weekday. I'd like to know how the 16 MDSL league clubs feel about this please.

Please address any comments, questions or concerns on the MDSL League directly to the League Organiser.

B. Secretaries Meeting

David Jones proposed that the Secretaries Meeting had possibly 'served its purpose' and wasn't needed any more. The rational being that it used to be a useful forum for exchanging Seniors Open flyers between clubs whereas, the digital age and availability of websites such as Empire Golf has made this almost redundant. In addition, fewer clubs are now attending this annual Secretaries meeting.

1. There ensued plenty of discussion and debate about the merits of the Secretaries Meeting and the need for a League AGM meeting.

2. The consensus appeared to be that the Secretaries Meeting could be dropped as long as the Seniors Representatives of Clubs could still have a annual get together combined with golf and a meal.

3. Everyone agreed that there must be a forum for 'League' discussions and a league AGM, which could be separate from the Secretaries meeting.

4. Blakely GC representative suggested that they would be happy to host next year's Secretaries/AGM meeting. Starting at 10am, 18 holes followed by a meal and with the meeting at 5pm. I understand this was accepted by the meeting. A date needs to be agreed.

5. It was agreed that the future of the Secretaries Meeting / AGM would be tabled at next years meeting at Blackley GC for a decision, thus allowing plenty of time for consideration, discussions and proposals.

My thanks to Howard Rowley for providing me with briefing notes and to all the participants at the meetings.

Jim Smethurst, League Organiser

smethurstjim@aol.com

MDSL Seniors League website:

https://sites.google.com/a/mdsljim.co.uk/mdsljim/mdsl-home

Further points and corrections added 20th October 2015

Revised 16th October 2015: The MDSL League report for 2015 is attached as a file at the bottom of this page. You can click on this link: MDSL 2015 League Reportv2.pdf (and then Print it if a paper copy is

required). The report was updated to correct an error in the New Zone South Fixtures

for 2016

Added 24 Feb 2015: I was reminded by our Secretary/ Treasurer (David Jones) that the Annual Subscription for League Clubs in 2015 was agreed to be increased from £10 to £15 (to cover increased costs of Trophies, mail and minor admin costs).

To the Senior Organisers :

AVRO, BLACKLEY, BROOKDALE, CHEADLE, DUKINFIELD, FAIRFIELD, GLOSSOP, HOULDSWORTH, MACCLESFIELD, MARPLE, MELLOR & TOWNSCLIFFE, NEW MILLS, REDDISH VALE, SHRIGLEY HALL, STYAL, TYTHERINGTON & WHITEFIELD GC's.

Gentlemen,

I'd like to thank everyone for their support at the Whitefield Secretaries Meeting / AGM held at Whitefield GC today (15 October 2014). The MDSL League wish to thank Whitefield GC for their excellent hospitality and facilities provided for the golf match, luncheon and for assisting in making the Secretaries Meeting/ AGM successful.

The key points and decisions made at Whitefield GC were as follows:

1. Whitefield GC announced their decision to leave the league.

2. Cheadle GC was accepted back into the League for the season 2015.

3. It was unanimously agreed that the MDSL League will adopt the proposed three zone structure for the league next year 2015. (Reference Appendix B in the "Notes for the AGM at Whitefield", and file "AppendixB 3Zones.pdf", a copy of which is attached as a file attachment below)

4. The remaining suggestions and issues were put on hold for the time being and should be further discussed if required at the AGM meeting in 2015.

a. This means that we will continue to play off the yellow tees in all MDSL matches.

b. The default composition of a team for a fixture between two clubs is 16 players (8 pairs) with 4 pairs league matches and 4 pairs social matches. This may be changed for the social element only if there is mutual agreement between the specific clubs. (Sufficient notice must be given and the player numbers should be the same for both the home and away fixtures for these clubs).

c. The issue of Away teams starting one up in a game is on hold. There are three possibilities to consider for the future: For the time being no change.

i. The away team starts a game one up in each of the four league games

ii. In the event of a tied game after 18 holes, the away team is awarded a win, 1 up.

iii. No change

d. The 2015 Play-off final will be played at Dukinfield GC at a date to be agreed between the Club and the League. The League have requested that a Courtesy round is made available by Dukinfield for those players representing qualified clubs who don't regularly play the Dukinfield course. Dukinfield will revert. The Pros and Cons of using a neutral venue were accepted. The likely increased costs of using a neutral venue were noted. It was agreed that it is impractical to change a venue at short notice and the venue must be agreed at least nine months in advance.

5. Clubs were asked to firm up the new fixtures as soon as practical and to supply their 2015 fixture lists to the League Organiser.

J. Smethurst

League Organiser

15th October 2014

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