We wish to update Members to a change to the eligibility criteria (to that previously advised on 10th April) for the entry into the Club Championships and provide some background to this change.

Under the current Constitution of our Club, the Committee has responsibility for the management of member competitions.

The Management, at its sole discretion and without consultation with either this or any prior Committee, has determined that a certain organisation willing to pay a fixed annual fee can nominate 24 players who can then enjoy the opportunity to play one four ball every day (subject to availability). The organisation currently holds four such arrangements.

This Committee believes that such terms are overly generous towards that organisation and are not equitable towards the Members of the Club who make an upfront payment to the Resort for their playing rights. 

Following the raising of this matter at the January 2023 AGM, Management regularised these terms in writing to the said organisation without feeling the need for any prior consultation with Committee – despite the knowledge that there was considerable Membership resentment towards such an arrangement.

The Committee has this year sought to reserve entry into the Club Championships for those individuals who have made a direct payment to the Resort (in the majority of cases for thousands of euros) for their membership. This would in effect exclude those players who, under the terms of the Corporate arrangement, have not made any direct payment to the Resort and, instead, make payments to their organisation.

Management has drawn the Committee’s attention to the terms of the arrangement that Management has agreed (without Committee consultation) with the aforementioned organisation and its desire to meet the commitments that it has made.

Notwithstanding that the Committee feels strongly that such difficulties could have been easily avoided had Management shown respect for the Committee’s authority and sought their feelings on this matter before making any firm commitments, the Committee recognises that Management would not wish to be seen reneging on the assurances given to those organisations.

Consequently, and following a clear instruction from Management, the Committee amends its eligibility criteria to the following:

* Handicap managed by SV

* 3 Handicap Qualifying Club Competitions since AGM 2024

* Entry Subject to Availability and in the same order as per the Member’s Portal.

The Committee felt strongly that for the Championship the employees of the Club should have a priority over the “Corporate” members as they have shown year after year their support and dedication to the Club. Unfortunately, such a motion was denied by the Director of Golf.

Up to the Championship the members will have had an opportunity to play in as many as 13 Q competitions and the Committee believes that playing in a three out of thirteen competitions is a reasonable requirement.

Finally, the Committee believes that it has correctly judged the feelings of the Members on this issue, but we are left with no choice due to the agreed Corporate Terms and Conditions.

Kind Regards

Michele Miller