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Friendly Matches News |
There was a special meeting held at Bradley Hall and organised by them in October 2006. This was regarding to the present situation with the Friendlies and how to move forward. Some clubs have experienced difficulties, So this meeting was called to address them and find ways of making Friendlies more appreciable and better supported.
Here a summary of the minutes of that meeting:-
Rabbit Friendlies Into a new era
Minutes of meeting held at Bradley Hall GC 25th October 2006
Clubs Present:- Bradley Hall, Bradley Park, Castlefields, Crosland Heath, Elland, Huddersfield, Lightcliffe, Longley Park, Marsden, Meltham, Outlane, Ryburn, West End, Woodsome Hall
President of HHDRGA- Gordon Buchan
Clubs not in attendance:- Crow Nest Park, Dewsbury, Hebden Bridge, Halifax Ogden, Queensbury, Saddleworth. Todmorden, Willow Valley
Introduction
The meeting was opened by Rob King, Rabbit Captain of Bradley Hall who thanked all the clubs for their support by their attendance. A warm welcome was also extended to Gordon Buchan, President of the HHDRGA.
A Power Point presentation then followed setting out, intitially in summary form and then detailed point by point the key issues that it was felt needed addressing.
Background
The reason behind the meeting stemmed from problems being experienced at Bradley Hall over the past 2 years in raising suficient number of players to make up teams for Rabbit Friendlies.
The Rabbit committee of Bradley Hall had spent considerable time recently in reviewing / discussing the matter and had come up with ideas as how to reverse this trend and make the fixtures more attractive to potential players. The discussions had taken into account comments made by Rabbit Members as to why they were reluctant to play in Rabbit Friendlies matches.
Proposals were then formulated aimed at making the Friendly matches more appealing to a greater percentage of Rabbit members.
As this was known to be a problem experienced at other clubs it was felt that a district wide meeting where these ideas for change could be shared and discussed, would be a benefit to all.This matter was also raised at the HHDRGA. It was also recognised that clubs who were not experiencing such problems could offer ideas on good practice that could potentially be adopted by others.
The proposal put forward in the subsequent presentation were not meant to be rules for all to follow but an indication of how Bradley Hall would be looking to move forward in 2007.
Current Issues
1 Number of fixtures
2 Number of new players and competition from Seniors Golf)
3 Start times (changes in life style / work patterns
4 Format of play(not competitive enough)
5 Dress code
6 Meal arrangements
Fixtures
Are there too many? Some clubs have 16. Should these be reduced to 10/12. Options to remove this many could have clubs not playing home and away in the same season. This can influence the availability of players. So reducing the number of fixtures.
Timing of the Friendlies could result in too many in such a short space of time.
Crosland Heath pointed out they were only allowed 5 home matches in 2007 .Other clubs have posed the same point. So by reducing the Friendlies to 5 home and 5 away in a season could help.
Number of Players
Some clubs seem to be experiencing a general dwindling of numbers of players willing to turn out in Friendly matches. The impact of this has seen the team members at some clubs being reduced from past average of 10/12 to 8. Often when a team of 10/12 has been achieved it usually been achieved by exceesive pressure and time by the organiser( usually the Vice Rabbit Captain). In view of this the 8/10 max has been suggested
A few clubs thought this feasible where others said that they were conerned changing the numbers each week.
It was said that good communication between clubs would help.
On the broader front on how to increase interest was dress code, meal times start times.
Lightcliffe say they have a new members meeting each year the make it a social occasion and from there encourage them to participate in the Friendlies.
Huddersfield, Woodsome & Meltham use the Friendlies to integrate new members. Some use a News Letter.
The critical issue is making Rabbit Golfers aware of these matches throughout the year.
Start Times
Most clubs advertise Friendlies as meet 4-45 and tee off from 5-00 onwards. Early starts are usually required at the beginning of the season late April and Early May only. With the large number of players (12) the the last tee times could be after 5-30 which of course can lead to a late finish. Woodsome and Crosland Heath seek to have earlier times 4-30. This of course creates a problem because some players cannot get there any earlier.
Suggestion was to allocate tee times at ten minute intervals to accommodate working players who want to play. Meltham tried that in 2004/5 and it worked.
Another suggestion was have Friendlies on a Sunday. One problem it restricts the 5 day member
Format of play
Competiveness
Traditionally this has been a 4BBB comp ending in a honourable draw ( apart from Woodsome)
Should it be made a little more competitive to create interest example Texas Scramble, Yellow Peril, Stablefords with a small prize at the end
Number of Holes played
The key factor in the number of holes played and meals times is which receives the greater complaint. Sometimes doing 18 holes can lead to a late meal and not doing 18 holes can leave players frustrated if the have never played there before and wanted to do the 18.
Some clubs like early finishes and some wish their players to do 18
Dress code
A number of players have expressed a desire to do away with the requirement to change into jacket and tie for the post match pleasantries. It has been suggested that this adds a time delay to the evening. A smart casual approch could be used.
As we are encouraging young Rabbits to participate in these matches it is a sign of current times that the requirement of Jacket and ties is unpopular when smart casual is preferred
This is down to individual clubs and their code of dress practice. But is another way of encouraging people to play.
Meal Arrangements
At present most clubs sit down to a 2 course meal together. The timing of the meal depends on the time the last players come in and gets washed and changed. Sometimes this can lead to a 10-00pm sitting. Which is too late for people to be eating and can sway players away from putting their names down.
Suggetions for speeding this up are:
Move from a sit down meal to a buffet this way players can have as much or as little as they wish.
In the middle of the season have a cold buffet.
Have soup and sandwiches
This way you can eat when you come off the course and have changed
Some clubs already do thiscl
CConclusiConclusionnclusiousion
The adoption of some or all these proposals is seen as necessary if we are to retain and attract more players to Rabbit Friendlies. There is a need to move with times and make our fixtures more attractive to the new breed of golfers who are not steeped in the tradition of old. It is not a case of throwing the baby out with the bath water but some changes are needed if these matches are to continue in the future