AGM and Christmas Competition

I don't know where the last ten days has gone to but gone it has and I need to update the blog but the reason I haven't done it sooner is partly my neighbour's fault. He is a publisher who started me off with the idea of keeping a blog - he's read it and thinks its fairly boring! He's right of course because I just can't get down and write the exact descriptions of how everyone behaves and my perceptions of various members. I know I would probably upset EVERYONE hence I've stuck to just the facts. Maybe when I'm too old to play golf I'll re write this but meanwhile I think I shall write things that have gone on in my life that are faintly relevant in an obscure way and be more candid about friends outside the club - they know I love them so won't be offended - well not too offended at any rate.
So, now to the AGM! Mark's big night for the takeover from Paul - very good speeches from them both and Mark set out the programme for 2010. Richard, our secretary made the point that we haven't lost so much money in 2009. But quite honestly an AGM without proper accounts is pretty farcical. This may well be a contraversal statement, but I do know that the majority of the club are very unhappy about that policy just as they worry about the element of the involvement of a certain board member who owns a golf club only a few miles away and is in direct competition with ours. Obvioulsy there are divided loyalties here. Many members are extremely worried.
Moving on!
The Christmas Comp. turned out to be really good fun despite the hiccup of people wanting to play outside the official tee times. I frankly see no point in upsetting the men over such a trivial competition and fun day. Different if it hadn't already been in the book and it was a counting comp. Never mind it was fun and just about everyone enjoyed it. It was the Colonel's birthday and I had given him a flight with Airforce pilot friend in a small light aircraft. It was a really beautiful day despite the cold but they flew over the course and tipped the wings and circled around much to everyone's excitement. Sheila and I were on the thirteenth at the time - I was just driving off when Sheila shouted t'they're coming' I promptly put my ball in the bunker!
But it was worth the duff shot!!
Apparently J. had to wear a parachute which he was secretly hoping he might be able to use! Also had to go through umpteem paper checks including an age check - Pete put him down as 57!! Can only think Pete was dislixic - ie needed to turn it around and add one. Later that morning J. looped the loop - not bad for a first time at the age of....?
The next day, despite the weather warnings we set off for London and Surrey but there was no serious snow. I phoned Berkely Hospital en route to see how our 100 year old Clare was and to my astonishment was told that she had been discharged. Just hope she won't sack her minder!
We're off to Budick Vine for Christmas on Wed. so no more Blogs til New Year and the big DRIVE IN on New Year's day.

Turkey Trots and Christmas Party

The first Turkey Trot was absolutely ghastly - freezing cold a real bone chilling day - I made it a 15 holer and I think everyone was quite grateful. Saturday on the other hand was lovely - played with Emma who got 21 points on the back nine which off 8 in winter conditions was fantastic. Just a few elite played but it was really nice and Jenny bought mince pies to get us in the mood a bit for Christmas parties!
In fact it was the Christmas party that night - brilliant food and great bobbing - but couldn't quite get the arm movements for YMCA - must be my dyslexia - it wasn't for lack of trying.
The one man band was great but he needn't have bothered with the slow waltzes no one was really interested in that stuff. Mark and Sandra back from Mauritious with expensive tans - gearing up to take over as Captain on Thursday!

Christmas Decorations - Bridge pm

Help! As I start this have just realised I forgot to lock the glory hole - ie the cupboard that houses the decorations - not that there is any in there now - they are all up!
Emma, Sue and Chris came to help which was great so lots of creative input - quite a lot of the stuff rather old but actually it all looked pretty good. Now did you know out there that the only way to put tree lights on was to put them on first - stand back and then squint through slitty eyes to see if they are even - if not adjust and when perfect then put the balls on. I bet a lot didn't know that! We just about finished in time before the men came steaming off the course rather soggily.
pm was the monthly bridge and guess who won? One hundred year old Clare and Katie - those of you who know who has a one hunmdred year old still firing away will have guessed the club - keep it to yourself!! Well you may have guessed anyway - never mind.
Anyway have now need to make a form out for the Christmas lunch 'lunch onlies'. £5.00 for parsnip soup and mince pies and mulled wine - I shall pay for the mulled wine.
Must get on - got to do the shopping as well - no food in the house!

Meetings!

Its been all go this week. 2010 meeting on Saturday morning. Felt that the Marie Curie stuff was pretty well on track. Sponsorship is slow but David C and Keith have both got 2 each - I must try harder - but time is such an enemy at the moment - I think I shall just have to wait to have another go in Jan. Approached Dave M (owns race horses but frankly - blood and stone come to mind - hope he doesn't read this or all is lost anyway!) Feeling amongst some of committee that need better tasking to achieve results. However regardless of sponsors we're still going to go ahead with the Fashion Show using Ed's stuff and and using Flax for apres golf which will be great - really liked Sally Perkins the owner. Date fixed for 17th April - seems ages ahead.

Sunday - Ladies Committee Meeting. Couldn't have scrambled through that without Jan (secretary)- such a lot of bits and pieces and chat - in the end I did get the hang of moving it on - otherwise might have been there til lunch time. I'm not sure one or two think I'm a pushover! Fortunately one or two realise I'm not the table banging sort or the tally ho sort - 'follow me girls!' I think I'm the 'manipulative type' so that if I meet a wall of resistance I tend to chip away til I get through! If I'm sat on I'll wriggle out! But basically I do tend to like people and can usually find something in common - maybe that's the actress in me?
Anyway....!Circulalting reports before the meeting I think is essential and I think all committees should do the same if they have any sense.
I might come back to this and add a bit more later.