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Please click here for the September 2009 Newsletter from the Club Captain.

Port Vila Golf & Country Club Limited
Captains Report 2009

 When the last AGM was held I didn’t expect that I would be writing the Captains Report 12 months later. As there were no nominations for the position of club captain I was unceremoniously informed that I had the job because I had nominated for the assistant captain position. My expectation was that I would learn from the captain. Tossed in at the deep end……………..
History has shown me that generally club captains are reasonably good golfers and often have a profound knowledge of the rules of golf. I don’t qualify on either of these points but I have tried to learn. My appreciation to Ian Campbell and Allan McLeish. Ian for helping me out regularly with CCR and handicap calculations, and Alan for teaching me the finer points about tee and pin placements. You didn’t appreciate my pin placements until Ian did them while I was on leave. 

Sponsorship

Without our weekly sponsors the club would have to buy prizes and this would severely impact on our diminishing financial reserves. We are very fortunate to have a long list of businesses that are willing to support the club at least once a year. In fact, there are very few Saturdays throughout the year where we do not have an event sponsor. I know for a fact that there are other, bigger clubs in the Pacific that would envy us. The club really appreciates this effort from the sponsors.
Sponsorship is a 2-way thing. They want to promote their business/products and we, as members/players need to support them. Special thanks to our weekly sponsors – B&P chook run, SPM meat tray, Club 21 Casino betting chip. Cannot forget our weekly ball sponsors: DHL, C&K, ANZ, Van Ag, Asco, Wilco, Vila Refrig & PAF. 

The club has a number of major events each year which are very well sponsored – again our thanks:
·                Iririki Pennants
·                Intraco/Mitsubishi Club Championships
·                Prestige & Kia Motors Amateur Championships

Events

Obviously the main event on the calendar for most is the VGO. Despite the rain this year it still went off well. Many thanks to the committee and volunteers that make it an annual success. 

Iririki Pennants had a bit of a late start this year but looks like it will be competitive. Some serious 2008 form reversals are evident. It was a very lively competition in 2008 which concluded with a great presentation night at Iririki. 

The Prestige Motors/Kia Vanuatu Amateur Championships were held just before the VGO and attracted a large number of competitors. A very successful competition. 

The other major annual event is the Intraco/Mitsubishi Club Championships. This event is scheduled over 4 rounds/2 weekends in mid September. 

Members will have noticed that 3 person Ambrose events have been more frequent this year. While this game may not appeal to some members we make no excuses for scheduling them as they are a potential source of new members (which we desperately need) and many members have requested them. We will also soon be introducing some other types of games to break up the rounds of stroke and stableford. 

Match Committee

My appreciation to the other members of the match committee – Ian & Winnie Campbell, Ron Barbe & Regina Cottam. There wasn’t much to adjudicate on during the year but you were there if needed. Also my appreciation to Bernie Cain for the job that he does each week inputting cards to GolfLink. 

Golf Course

Again wet weather has played havoc on competition days and this year was a disruptive influence on the VGO. Apart from the usual problems on the back 9 fairways, this wet season saw the formation of our own miniature lake in front of the 17^th. It was eventually pumped almost dry (thanks Harold Q) but filled up again with the next big rain. It is a pity that it is static water and can’t be retained as a permanent water feature as it adds an interesting dynamic to the hole. 

Thanks to Ian Campbell for his course direction and to Winnie for managing to keep the course curators gainfully engaged. Just before the VGO considerable work was done to a number of bunkers. These now look very professional and should not cave in. Bunker reconstruction will resume after the Club Championships as will work on the greens.
We sometimes tend to take the condition of the course for granted. There are a lot of voluntary hours expended each week by some members to ensure that grass is cut, greens and teeing mounds are maintained, pins & tee placements are changed, etc.

Finally

Over the past 12 months I have done the best that I could given my lack of qualifications for the position. If I haven't met your expectations then I am more than willing to hand the job over to someone else. Don’t grumble about me behind my back…..put up your hand and take on the job. It can actually be quite satisfying when everything goes to plan. 

Andy Cottam
Club Captain
11 August 2009
   

New Pennants page added
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