INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS

AGM: Every Lady member receives notification of this meeting by post; it is always held on the last Tuesday in January and is followed by the Ladies’ Annual Dinner. All members are eligible to attend the AGM although only full-playing members are able to vote on propositions and the election of Committee. Officers are elected annually; committee members serve for three years (unless co-opted on for a specific period). At the meeting, officers each give their annual report, club trophies are presented and the new Lady Captain takes office. Members may attend either or both the AGM and Dinner; it is a very enjoyable evening and a good chance to meet up with friends and make new ones.

Bridge: There is a strong tradition of bridge playing at the club and members meet up on Tuesday evenings to play social bridge. From time to time a series of lessons is organised for inexperienced or new players. On the first Tuesday November and March, we host 2 bridge luncheons, friendly competitions in which players from other local clubs are invited to take part.

Bureau: Positioned in the lounge adjoining the Ladies locker room, this contains, among other things, the West End match result books, LGU and Yorkshire handbooks, bridge cards, and miscellaneous items of stationery supplies. The hand books are particularly useful as they provide information on the general handicapping and competition rules governed by the county and national organisations. There are also books of rules guidance. The birdies for the birdie tree nest in this bureau!

Committee: The Ladies’ Committee of West End is composed of officers and committee members. The Officers are: the Lady Captain, Lady Vice-Captain, Lady Past Captain, Secretary, Treasurer, Handicap Secretary, and Competition Secretary; there are five committee members. The Committee has the power to co-opt members if necessary.

Competitions: There is a specific sheet which explains competitions; members should familiarise themselves with these and ensure that they understand the rules. If in doubt consult your sponsor or any of the Ladies Committee.
We do encourage a wide a field of entry!

Correspondence: Any correspondence for the committee should be left in or by the designated holder in the lounge. It is also worthwhile for individual members to occasionally check for items.

Council: This is the governing body of the club. There is a Management Committee as well as committees responsible for Greens, Handicaps, and House. Elections take place at the Club AGM that is held on the last Saturday in February. All full members are eligible to stand for election.

Dress Rules / Etiquette: Current dress rules for the clubhouse and course are displayed in the entrance hall. (Wearing denim is not permitted either on the course or in the clubhouse.) Etiquette on the course in general terms requires us to be aware of other golfers at all times, to move swiftly between shots so as to not hold others up and not to cause unnecessary damage to the course.

EWGA: (Formerly ELGA) English Women’s Golf association. Information about this organisation can be found on posters in the locker room, in the handbook in the bureau, or visit them on their website: www.englishwomensgolf.org

Fixture Book: As well as providing details of the year’s fixtures and events, this small booklet contains other information of interest and it is a good idea to read it thoroughly when you receive your copy.

Flowers: There are flowers, either fresh or silk displayed throughout the year in the lounge adjacent to the locker room. These are agreed and organised through the Ladies’ committee.

Halifax and Huddersfield Festival of Golf:
This is a 3 day event held annually in August. Local clubs take turns in hosting this and it is our turn in 2009! Look out for the entry forms on the lower notice board by the downstairs locker room.

Handicaps: The Handicap Secretary updates all handicaps following competitions and a new certificate is produced each time a reduction or increase is necessary. If a certificate is needed at any other time, the request should be entered in the book provided, allowing time for the request to be actioned. A list of current handicaps is posted in the locker room.

LGU: This is the Ladies Golf Union and is responsible for governing ladies’ golf.
www.lgu.org

Match results: The results of the Yorkshire matches and the Evening League fixtures are entered, by the respective team captains, in the match result books kept in the bureau and available for all members to read.

Medals: These are competitions for which the rules are governed by the LGU (Ladies Golf Union) Information regarding Medals can be found in the LGU handbook; this is kept in the bureau and should not be removed from the clubhouse.

Notice Boards: There are various notice boards around the locker rooms and vanity areas displaying information regarding competitions, handicaps, and teams; in addition there are posters from the National and County organisations, which make interesting reading and offer an insight into the functions of each organisation as well as giving information regarding dates of various competitions and events. (The notice board displays are maintained and overseen by the Ladies’ Committee; all notices need to be approved)

• Remember to check the notice boards in the Club’s main entrance hall for information about mixed golf, trips away and forthcoming social events.

Open Competitions: As the name suggests, these are competitions open to any golfer in the stated category or section. They are open to golfers from West End or any other club. We encourage Ladies to invite members from other clubs to participate in our open competitions.

Posters received from other clubs about their Ladies or Mixed Open events are organised and kept in folders in the Ladies’ locker room. Anyone with a handicap can enter these by sending off the relevant entry form, fee and other requested details. Do keep your eye out for posters detailing West End Open events and try to support your club in these.

• Do remember to take an up-to-date handicap certificate with you to Clubs other than your own.

Opening Day (Ladies): This is held prior to the start of the main golfing season. A list will be posted for members asking whether they wish to enter the golfing event (more social than serious)and/or whether they wish to partake in tea and scones later in the afternoon (about 4pm). Weather permitting, those wishing to play golf are drawn to play for either the Lady Captain’s team or the Lady Vice-Captain’s team and, by mutual agreement between the two players, the number of holes to be played is decided upon and at a time to suit. Bridge may also be arranged.
There is no charge for this event other than the purchase of raffle tickets! The Ladies’ Section fund the refreshments, but the Lady Captain and her Vice-Captain kindly make all the arrangements and provide the raffle prizes. Proceeds from this raffle are donated to the ELGA Trust Fund, set up to support junior girls’ golf.

Prize days: With the exception of the Lady Captain’s Prize Day, all other prize days are organised by lady members who wish to support the Lady Captain in her year and a number of ladies may join together to run and finance an event. Prize givers must first liaise with the Competition Secretary to agree details.

Prize Fund:  Members may make a donation to this fund at any time. The money will be used throughout the year to purchase prizes for competitions and/or raffles. Money (or offers of prizes) may be given to the Lady Captain or Treasurer.

Sponsors: Sponsors for new members should ensure that they provide help and assistance to anyone they have proposed for membership. General information such as how to order food, where everything is that they might need etc. will be of great help to them in getting to know the Club and how West End functions. Please do all you can to ensure they settle in and are aware of the course etiquette.

Teams: West End Ladies’ Section supports a number of teams and encourages all members to involve themselves.

A, B, and ADP (Alternate Day Players) are run by Y.L.C.G.A. The ADP team consists of three players drawn from members unable (due mainly to work commitments) to play for the other Yorkshire run teams, and are usually played at weekends.

 There is also an Evening League team, which plays matches after the working day and is made up of members unable to play at other times. There are also Friendly matches which are arranged by West End and for which anyone can play; these are an ideal preparation for higher handicap golfers (36) to gain match experience.

Details of all team arrangements are displayed on the notice board currently by the lower locker room.

Veterans: Veterans (ladies over 50 years old) may join the YVLGA, making them eligible to play in the various Yorkshire Veterans’ events. The dates and venues of the competitions, along with the entry forms, are displayed on the Vets notice board (lower locker room). To join, please speak to the representative, currently Sue Westwell.

Volunteers: There are various events throughout the year when volunteers are needed! Currently the Ladies Section hosts two AM-AM events when members are asked to donate home baking and/or run the refreshments at half-way house. Please try to offer your support and time – or get others to volunteer! For those who enjoy flower arranging, help is always needed prior to West End’s Open Week to assist in decorating the clubhouse. Help is also appreciated in decorating the club house for Christmas. Please speak to the Lady Captain if you would be willing to offer an hour or so of your time.

Y.L.C.G.A.: This is the Yorkshire Ladies’ County Golf Association which governs all County events including the inter-club matches.
www.ylcga.org