Last Saturday's Christmas hamper celebration was well attended despite the threat of more welcome rain. Penny Hardy, Barb Stewart, Rod Coady and Don Burke won from Fran McGrath, Judy Nevin, Vladimir Bodhan and Frank Kelly.

The men's stableford event on December 9 was a competitive affair with Frank Williams winning the day and the NTP from a good field. Terry Hughes was second, K Hoy third and D'Hoy, Bill Heard, Alec Henry and Keith Ferguson won the balls.

Historically the ideal AGM is one in which the key positions on the executive are "locked in" well before the meeting and you have at least one nomination for each of the positions you need to fill. The platypus entered the room with thoughts of the ideal AGM and why he thought it was time to hand over golf story writing to someone else. Tophand Bryan had expressed an interest!

It was not the "ideal AGM" however there was sufficient interest and enthusiasm to fill the vacancies although some were nominated in their absence so it is possible that there may be some reflection at tomorrow night's first meeting of the 2007 Committee. All members are welcome to attend committee meetings. Tomorrow night's meeting is at 7.00pm at the Club.

The 2006 President, Gordon Scott reflected, in his report to the AGM, on the loss of Les Mundy as the greenkeeper and the subsequent instability and uncertainty. He thanked Mike Bennett and his staff for the work they had done in very trying circumstances. We now have a new greenkeeper, Jason Rath and he appears both keen and well informed.

Last week we were having a discussion about the dry and the relative merits of preferred lies and teeing up when he said he was talking with a contact on the Manuka Oval staff who said the next rain would be on December 15. Sure enough that is when it rained but was it too little too late?

The final words of the incoming president after the AGM were let us hope for more golfers next year and more RAIN. Season's greetings and safe travelling to all.

Monkittee Platypus