Proposals for rule changes at 2023 SWSC AGM followed by replies
(1) - Due to the high cost of fuel could we look at if you are drawn away
then the next round would be home, or even having 3 or 4 districts where
we could have qualifiers from them to go through to the quarters and so
on. (Proposer - Builth Wells)
(2) - All rounds of the competition up to the Quarter Finals to be played on neutral courses. (Proposer - Creigiau B)
Background and Reasoning
You
only have to look at the results over recent years to see that the
teams drawn to play on their home course have a massive advantage with
a winning percentage of 75-80%, which is clearly disproportionate.
If the format was changed to one similar to, for example, the PING competition, it is felt that this would be a lot fairer.
All
Clubs who enter the competition would agree to be available to host the
various matches and it would be up to the Club drawn first out of the
hat in each match to select a neutral venue (about half way between
them and their opponents) and organise the tee times. We are only
talking about three tee times for each match, so I’m sure all Clubs can
easily accommodate this and it would of course cut down on travelling.
The initial Qualifying round would still be split East and West as at present with the above applying to each sector, (3) - In
the event of an SWSC Classic match finishing all square the away club
to be declared the winner, when matches played on neutral courses the
last halving pair will play sudden death to determine the overall
outcome. CHANGE TO CLASSIC RULE 3g - (Proposer - Tenby GC)======================================================================================================
Replies on Proposal 1, 2, 3 to SWSC Secretary:
Hi Clive,
We
would also be happy to support the proposal of using neutral courses. I
would agree with Stuart from Mountain Ash, that it would be good to
have a standard charge for all practice rounds at all clubs.
Many thanks.
Kind Regards,
Bradley Stuart
Clubhouse Manager and Financial Administrator
Dear Clive
I can confirm that Cilgwyn GC is in favour of your proposals.
Best regards
Malcolm Davies
Cilgwyn Seniors Golf
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Simon Edwards
Builth Wells would be happy to host SWSC matches as long as it was just the matches and not reserves.
Kind regards,
Simon Edwards
Secretary/PGA Professional
Builth Wells Golf Club
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon Elliott
Yes from Glynhir
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert Arbourne
Hi Clive,
I'm 99% sure it would be a yes from Neath.
Kind regards
Rob Arbourne Neath
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peter Collins Carmarthen
Yes from Carmarthen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adrian Jurd
It's a yes from S Pembs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Rees Haverfordwest
Clive,
It’s
a YES we will host these matches. It is for a very worthy charity and
as always Haverfordwest GC will support charity events.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stuart Whippey
Hi Clive,
I have canvassed our squad and we are happy to support Proposal 2 as the current format too heavily favours the home team.
I have spoken to our club treasurer and he has agreed to free use of the course if selected as a neutral venue.
Just
a thought however and that relates to practice rounds. I understand
that as a general rule of thumb a practice round charge of £10pp has
been applied, but in the past two years alone we have been charged £10,
£15 and £20pp by home clubs. I am of the view there should be a
standard charge that is applied to ALL clubs. Even if Proposal 2 is
adopted or not there should be one single charge, determined by the
SWSC committee, and I ask for this to be applied with or without the
adoption of Proposal 2.
Best wishes.
Stuart
Mountain Ash GC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Graham Bebb
Good Afternoon Clive,
We
have approached our new owners management here at Derllys. We are happy
to support Proposal from Creigiau over using neutral courses. Also no
charges will be applied to the teams if selected as a neutral course.
Regards Graham Bebb (Derllys Seniors)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steve Greenow
The only problem with the second proposal would mean all teams would have to travel. Unless you include in a local foremat .
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
stevesutcliffe50@gmail.com
I
would support neutral courses and potentially also a district based
approach for the first rounds at least – east and west is just about OK.
Steve
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeff Rosser
Hi Clive,
Yes on behalf of Pontypridd
Regards
Jeff
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark Harris
Would support either of the proposals.
Mark Harris Pennard golf club.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
keithrothin
Hi Clive,
I have discussed proposal 2 with our director of golf they are happy
with it but did bring up the situation where a team just wants to play
a particular course without cost and some courses become overburdened
with fixtures.
Regards
Keith
Michael Fleming
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clive,
as promised I have discussed this matter with our board this evening
and can say that West Monmouthshire GC is happy to support the proposal
for neutrality in preliminary rounds and would be happy to welcome
teams here should they choose our course as a suitable venue.
The issue of reasonably priced practice rounds, if needed, would not be an issue.
Regards
Mike
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
dlindquist
Bore da Clive,
Newport
Links happy to be a neutral venue. Regarding green fees, I feel we have
county cards & that should be sufficient particularly as there is a
wide range as regards prices of green fees. Newport is a privately
owned course so we don't want to push our luck by also demanding well
below normal green fees
Cofion,
Dai
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peter Croke
Dear Clive,
Please
accept my apologies for not being able to attend this year’s AGM as I
am on holiday. Could you please read out our response to the proposals
because I think all members should consider our concerns?
Also
we would like to know about what happens, if the proposals are passed,
to the clubs that cannot provide their course for 2 neutral teams, will
they still be able to enter the SWSC?
We
have never won the Classic or the Bowl but thoroughly enjoy the
challenge each year. We look forward to meeting old acquaintances or
making new friends according to whichever club we are drawn against.
These competitions have been successful for many years and long may they continue.
Peter Croke
Southerdown
=============================================================================================================================
Clyne
Clive
With regard to course available for neutral ties, Clyne would be available.
Ray Anderson
Allen Watts
Hi Clive,
Tenby
Seniors had their AGM this afternoon and had a discussion on the
disparity with results in the Classic between home and away clubs.
We
had three proposals from the floor: (1) Keep the Classic the same (2) A
1 hole start for the away team (3) If the match result is a tie then
the away team win.
We
as a club would like to put forward the following proposal for the SWSC
AGM to improve the disparity between home and away results in the
Classic - If a SWSC Classic match result is a tie then the away team
win.
Regards,
Allen
=================================================================================
Swansea Bay
Good evening Clive /Roy , off the 2 proposals I would prefer to vote for neutral courses but I cannot see
our Proprietor David Gorvett allowing curtsey of the course without A , part green fee paid or B All 6 players booking a meal .
As we presently do at Swansea Bay
Chris ,
Morriston
Clive
On
behalf of Seniors, I would like to add our support to the comments made
regarding the additional logistical problems of trying to secure a
neutral venue and it is not a suggestion we could support.
However,
the suggestion that a team securing an away draw should progress to the
next round without having to play a sudden death playoff, would be
welcomed.
With
regards to the first proposal made by Builth Wells, we feel the system
works well at present and see no need to alter it in any way
Regards
Dave Kift
==================================================================================
Llanishen
Hi Clive
I
think the idea of playing on neutral courses is an excellent one.
The only problem I can envisage is if a Club GMC decides they are
not happy with that and to not participate or charge the teams to play.
There really is only one way to find out. I'll enquire at
what the management's feelings would be about this.
Gareth Daniel
Cottrell Park.
Hi Clive
I
have just received confirmation from the general manager of Cottrell
Park that he is provisionally ok with the proposal if it is approved.
He
will monitor the number of team's who chose Cottrell to use as a
neutral ground for the time being as he is concerned that technically
there could be quite a few teams who have the option to play at
Cottrell Park as a neutral course each round and it is a proprietary
club not a member's club.
Regards
Tony
Llanwern
Good evening Clive,
Apologies for the lateness of a reply.
Firstly
as a fairly new member club to the Classic and being probably the
furthest club to the East of Wales I would comment that we have not had
an issue in travelling anywhere so far and have very much enjoyed our
participation.
Some other comments I would make.
Fixture
Secretaries of senior sections do a lot of work arranging their various
matches and trying to organise neutral venues will add unwanted
pressure.
Popular
venues may be contacted by several clubs to supply their course for
matches, would they therefore be in order refusing clubs if a match was
already arranged.
I
understand the advantage a home team has so how about a tied game would
mean a win for the away side rather than the last group playing on for
a result.
Finally everyone says what a great competition and for such a worthy charity so if its not broke, don't try and fix it.
Regards,
Chris Doody
Coed y Mwstwr
Why not try to get say 2 venues in each district hold round matches which have to played in a specific week.
Then a different set of venues for a specific week in next round etc.
This way all matches are also played at the same time as well.
To
enable each team to be able to field a side for each week then increase
the squad size to 12 so that each team should be able to field 6players?
When teams express an interest they need to ensure that their club is able to support a round as a venue at no charge.
Gareth
Creigiau A
Clive,
I
support the comments of Mr Doody and accept that a draw may favour the
home side, but my team played 2 away matches this year, winning one and
losing on extra holes in the second. Both played in great spirit as was
the intention when Howel and others set it up.
Trying
to get neutral venues to suit both teams, at times convenient to both
sides and requesting a practice round at a much reduced rate seems a
step too far.
The FA Cup has survived for a very long time, on the 'luck of the draw'
Michael Evans
Langland Bay
Clive,
I
think Michael makes some very good points. During our first year of
involvement this year it was not easy to arrange suitable dates. If one
adds in the extra step of finding and agreeing a neutral venue it would
become more difficult. Additionally the “best” neutral venues would
often be chosen, whilst those who we not considered up to the same
standard (rightly or wrongly) would often be considered.
Regards
Wayne
Morlais Castle Seniors
Clive.
We
at support the principle of playing matches at neutral courses, having
being aware for a long time of the bias toward those drawn at home..
However
there will be a lot of work involved in setting up the rules and
conditions in the first instance and there will also be extra ongoing
work in arranging venues, dates etc..
One question I would ask is "Might venues be expected to host more than one match per round."?
And less obviously perhaps but nevertheless important a comment...
There will no longer be a host club to welcome and offer hospitality to visitors..!!
I'm sure it would work but it requires a lot of thought and discussion beforehand..
John Stokes
================================================================================
|
