Captain Shouts Fore – January 2016

Compliments of the season to all Nomads and may 2016 be a prosperous one. Even though the country may experience significant headwinds this year, myself and the committee will continue to try and make the Nomads experience an enjoyable and affordable one. Thankfully our budget is not priced in foreign currency, although those travelling to Botswana and Zimbabwe Nationals later in the year may need to make extra provision. The nominations for the committee have opened for 2016 and I trust that Barry will make his appointments with more consideration than those used in appointing our recent finance minister. On the topic of finance, please remember that your subs are due by the end of January.

Having returned from another December holiday on the Natal South Coast, which was spent relaxing and playing some golf, with what seemed to be the entire Gauteng committee, as well as several Gauteng Nomads. For those of you wishing to experience a 20 day Nationals, played over various courses, you are welcome to join us in 2016. Book early as places are limited. Thanks to both Doug Watson and John Brewin for arranging all the golf. I would be surprised to learn of another Club in SA where the Captain, Vice-Captain and JVC were all together on New Year’s eve.

For those of you that attended our Xmas Cup and 55^th anniversary, I am sure that you will agree it was a massive success. To both Bev and Spero and all those who assisted on the day, once again a huge thanks for all the effort in making it a success. I had the privilege of playing with our National Chairman, Gary Rodwell, one of Nomads greatest ambassadors and both National and local sponsor, Antonio Rossetti as well as our National Co-ordinator Michael Payne. As a member of Randpark, it is always a pleasure to welcome guests to the Club and I am always confident that they will enjoy both the golf course and the facilities the Club has to offer. We had a massive turnout with 20 players in the morning and an afternoon field of 144. The dinner was well supported with almost 200 meals served that evening. My apologies to those that have complained about the noise and disruptions at prize-giving, we are aware of it and it is being addressed. Congratulations to Brian Burns who was awarded his 450 game badge. I did approach Brian to play in my fourball, but I think watching him arrive on the18th green with 3 gentlemen that he had proposed (Tony Luyt, Brian Bolton and Cyril Ferrar) was a memorable experience for all of us. I also had the pleasure of presenting Bev Du Toit with her 15 year award and Roy Mentis with his 30 year tie. Thanks to Roy who managed to not only have his Father Andrew attend the evening, but also to say a few words. I am sure we are all aware of what Andrew Mentis has contributed to Nomads over the 55 years. Finally, we welcome Dave Marsden to Gauteng.

See you at Wanderers

Graham Bishop