HKSGS NEWSLETTER February 2024

Introduction.

Slightly belatedly, the committee would like to formally wish you all a Happy Chinese New Year and welcome new members to the society. A list of new members is given at the end. Kung Hei Fat Choy to all.

Booking NOW first come first served.

All booking restrictions have been removed and now bookings for events, usually two weeks in advance, are granted on a first come first served basis. Please note all bookings are made and amended online via the site where members can always check the status of their booking and see who else has signed up for an event. If you wish to play with somebody specifically one can annotate one’s booking accordingly, and the Event Manager will endeavor to pair you as requested. The whole booking procedure is at https://hksgs.com.hk/rules-guidelines.

Shotgun Start, AGM at Deep Water Bay 27th May 2024.

Recently the committee met and decided that we would have our AGM at Deep Water Bay on 27th May 2024. This will be on similar lines as per previous years and include a shotgun start and a buffet which is also open to members who perhaps cannot play on the day. The AGM will include prize giving and the usual ‘roastings’ allotted to especially naughty members. Details will be promulgated closer to the date.

Fixtures 2024.

The fixtures schedule is posted on the Society site at https://hksgs.com.hk/fixtures. Previously we were able to show the full year of fixtures but now most clubs do not confirm booking beyond three months in advance. We will continue to have the same number of fixtures as per previous years and usually book events on Monday.

Committee “Same Same”.

The committee remains unchanged since the last AGM. There is still an empty seat on the committee. If there is anybody in the Society who would like to join this august group, ……“this happy breed of men”…… please do speak to any of the Committee members or the Event Manager Mike Edie. BTW The Committee members and their roles are listed on the “about” page of the site at https://hksgs.com.hk/about-hksgs

WARNING - Anti-Boar Fence in Deep Water Bay.

Please be aware that the electric fences throughout HK are frequently on and powered up throughout the day. A few weeks ago at a Seniors event a member at Deep Water Bay unwittingly touched the powered fence and received a very nasty shock bringing him to his knees. He quickly recovered but the experience is a most unpleasant and frightening thing to happen particularly to the unwary. Stay canny. (As an aside to this incident it was noted that the Senior in question improved markedly on his score after the incident. Nothing is mentioned in the rules regarding this method of game enhancement…… but it is discouraged by the committee.)

Raking of bunkers and course maintenance.

Please ensure that you rake all bunkers, fix divots, and appropriately repair marks on the green to ensure the course is kept as you find it and that those behind you can enjoy as pristine a course as possible. There have been some complaints in the last few months of bunkers that seem to have been visited by Yeti or Big Foot. We even considered creating a local rule to address this but have decided to appeal to your “Better angels”. If this continues however, we will track you down and send all the DNA samples and plaster cast molds we have on file to INTERPOL!

Re-subscription and recruiting season.

The annual exercise of asking members to re-subscribe for the coming year and the enrollment of new members has just been completed. A plurality of members has maintained their membership. (Note, “Plurality” in this context means a majority, not “more than one”). Our total membership as of going to press is 226, but we are still open to new members during the year where the annual fee will be charged on a pro rata basis. If you have a family member or know of a golfing enthusiast who you think would be of our caliber and moral standing, (and who is an avid bunker raker), please do point them to the Society’s site. Welcome to all new members:

Matches.

Our matches have been both competitive and enjoyable in previous years. In addition to the fixtures mentioned above we will continue arranging the always popular, competitive yet “friendly-ish-within-reason” matches with other clubs and societies. These are both an opportunity to play competitively with other societies and clubs, but they are also an opportunity to socialize non-competitively. It is de-rigueur that society representatives stay on after their round mix and mingle and fully participated in the gatherings after any match. Kurt Skelton oversees society matches as the team scout and selector. All are welcome to participate.

Overseas tour?

We have yet to venture beyond Macau since the demise of Covid. Chang Mai has been mooted in November, and there is a possible tour leader lined up for this. If there is anybody who would like to act as “tour guide” and take the lead on an overseas tour, please do let us know.

Membership card.

As per previous years each member can access and download their digital membership card sporting their name and a QR code similar to the following exemplar from the homepage of our website:https://hksgs.com.hk/

Yet another timely reminder on punctuality.

Punctuality has improved since our last Newsletter. Please, for the sake of all players on the course and the good name of the society, report to the starting tee no less than 15 mins prior to the published tee time. This allows Mike Edie to “Instagram” your group, issue you with scorecards, psych you up and get you under starters’ orders.

GHIN membership.

By now all members should have their 2024 GHIN membership card. Please post your own non-Society game results to your GHIN handicap using the app. Society results will be posted by Mike Edie on your behalf. It is important to keep your handicap up to date to assist Mike Edie when he makes the tee schedule. It also ensures you are given a fair handicap and that each flight has balanced abilities.

Late withdrawal penalty system.

The rarely used, late penalty system is clearly defined within our rules. (https://hksgs.com.hk/rules-guidelines) The whole purpose of membership is to make our golf enjoyable and fun and thus we do not wish to include a penalty system for late withdrawals but if this was not in place and enforced, we know from experience that late withdrawals would increase, and they would very likely confound the system imposing more work on the Event Manager. Please refresh yourselves with the withdrawal system. Please do not book an event unless you know for certain that you will be able to attend. If you must withdraw, please ensure you withdraw prior to the publication of the tee time sheet.

Conclusion.

Your committee wish you happy golfing and look forward to seeing you on the course, at the AGM and hopefully with few pericombobulations!