2012 AGM Minutes
Friday, 27 January, 2012
Held at Vilamoura Millennium Clubhouse at 10.00a.m. on Thursday 12th January 2012.
MINUTES
PRESENT : Representatives from all 17 member clubs.
1. APOLOGIES
Peter Fisher (Alto)
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 2010 AGM
Approved, matters arising none.
3. REVIEW OF 2011 COMPETITION & MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
It was agreed the InterClub League had run successfully in 2011 with congratulations being given to Alto (the Champions) and Serra de Monchique (Runners up) for a good season. It was acknowledged that the games had been played in good spirit and it was hoped that would continue in the year ahead.
The chair took the meeting through the Management Committee Report highlighting the MC’s activities during the year. A copy of the report was circulated to all clubs so its content will not be repeated here.
The main points from the report were the completion of the InterClub league’s new website. This was launched in May 2011 and was generally regarded by all clubs to be running very well. It was noted that one club (Morgado) did not hold this view. It was further reported that a sponsorship arrangement had been reached with Silverseas for “Banner Advertising” on the website and that they would contribute 15 euro’s per player to the next Finals Day. Finally, it was hoped that all member clubs would actively use the website “News” section to promote their various club activities to all clubs on the Algarve. Any such news items should in the first instance be submitted to the MC’s new administrator, Graham Miller.
The other issue highlighted in the MC report was the application’s to join the InterClub league from Espiche GC and Costa Esuri GC in Spain. The chair explained that the application from Espiche GC had been deferred until they actually open their course and have federated members. With regard to the application from Costa Esuri it was reported that Graham Miller and Nick Daly had visited their course and explained what they would have to achieve to be considered for membership, primarily become members of the Portuguese Federation. The chair advised that a formal application was received from Costa Esuri early evening on 11th January in which they advised that they would not be able to comply with the leagues criteria for entry. In parallel a discussion took place among the clubs present and a vote taken on the principle of clubs from Spain joining the InterClub league. The meeting unanimously rejected the idea of Spanish clubs joining.
Alto’s representative requested clarification of Quinta do Vale’s (QdV) current position and intentions to participate in this year league programme. QdV’s representative stated that the club is in the process of a change of ownership and as such they could not, at this stage, commit to organizing fixture dates. He further stated that QdV have every intention of participating in the league but they would have to wait until they had confirmed this with the new owners. They expect a decision by the end of January. The chair suggested that as fixtures do not have to be finalized until the end of February that we wait until the new owners are in place. In the event that QdV do not participate in the forthcoming league programme the club who finished 8th in last year’s Division B, Das Dunas (Salgados) will revert to Division B to replace QdV.
Mr Rod Stocker, on behalf of the director of golf at Morgado (Mor), requested that Silversea cruises provide the Interclub with an indemnity, against any future claims. He was unable to provide any potential grounds for why such a claim could arise or have any validity. Following a lively and inconclusive, discussion the Chair asked member clubs for a show of hands to close the debate, on what appeared to be a hypothetical non-issue. This motion was supported by the club representatives.
The chair also advised that the MC had received one nomination for membership from Peter Fisher of Alto. Eric Innes has indicated his intention to retire from the MC under the system of rotation, so subject to the meeting agreement Peter will join the MC at the conclusion to the AGM. Peter Fisher was duly elected to serve on the MC
4. FINANCIAL REPORT
Nick Daly ran through the financial report and invited any questions from the floor. Mor asked for an explanation of the line items, under the heading Prizes and Awards, in the financial report. Each in turn was explained and Mor then stated that they found it strange that over 30% was spent on Finals Day prizes whereas Mor thought that the Interleague was about the league matches and not finals day. The chair explained the current rationale, as agreed at last year’s AGM, for Prizes and Awards and then closed the discussion.
The report as presented was then approved by the meeting.
Post meeting note: The line item shown for AGM coffees should read 75 euro’s and the Runners Up award has been changed to read Cash. This resulted in 455.79 euro’s being carried over into 2012.
5. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED ELECTION OF CLUBS TO INTERCLUB LEAGUE FROM OUTWITH PORTUGAL
As this item was discussed and voted on previously, this agenda item was deemed complete.
6. QUALIFYING COMPETITIONS FOR HANDICAP PURPOSES
The chair opened a discussion under this heading outlining that over the year the MC had received a number of comments of concern regarding the validity of certain player’s handicaps. The chair was at pains to point out that the MC did not see itself, nor want to be a handicap policing body, however the MC are concerned that not all clubs are compliant with the full provisions of the FPG handicap rules on qualifying competitions.
A debate then ensued in respect of this issue and various points of view were raised with no substantive conclusion reached. The meeting concluded that they were content to leave the matter as it currently exists. Palmares representative stated that he hoped that all clubs complied with the “spirit” of the rules in relation to handicaps and that as such the instances referred to would be few and far between.
The question as to the validity of qualifying competitions when preferred lies were in operation was raised by Quinta do Vale. It was considered by the floor that this was not an issue and was within the rules.
Post meeting note: The Portuguese Golf Federation and R&A Rules for 2012 -2015 which relate to this issue have been posted on the League web site for confirmation and guidance in ensuring that the correct local rule is put in place.
7. ADOPTION OF RULES AMENDMENTS FOR 2012
The chair advised that there were two minor changes to the current rules, as highlighted in the Management Report. These were accepted as written by the meeting and will be added to the rules.
The first of these in the MC section of the rules was the addition of the following at the end of the 4th paragraph. To aid continuity within the MC each year, the newly elected member is given the “without portfolio” role, in the second year they become Administrator and then Chairman in their final year.
Rule 16. The MC felt that they should clarify the position on lunches for the League and Championship play-off matches and propose adding the following wording: Provision of lunches is expected for both the League and Championship Play-Off matches.
8. AGREEMENT OF ANNUAL FEES FOR 2012
A unanimous vote confirmed that the fees for 2012 would remain at its current €100 per club.
9. FINALS DAY 2012
This was announced as Tuesday 4th December 2012 at Vale da Pinta course. The format would be as shown in the Rule 23. Costs for day will be announced in due course.
Post meeting note: Peter Fisher has confirmed that costs for the day will be 60 euro’s per player to include green fees, buggy and lunch.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS OF WHICH NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN
No items were submitted under this heading.
There being no other business the chair thanked everyone for their contributions and wished them all a successful season. The meeting closed.
Post Meeting: Mr. David Stevens (Levante) proposed a vote of thanks on behalf of ALL clubs present to Eric Innes for his contributions to the InterClub league MC over the last couple of years.
ACTIONS ARISING FROM MEETING
Action Responsibility Status
Update the website with new contact detai
And issue new website access information MC Done
Update the revised InterClub rules on the
website MC Done
Circulate the AGM minutes MC Done