PPUI Convention Report

First of all congrats to the officers who were elected, you now have a further 12 months to continue to develop the game and ensure prosperity going forward. We now have new President & Vice - President and if they stick to their words today, good things seem to be on the horizon for all our game. Unfortunately 2 people were not elected in Non-Portfolio as there are only 4 places but this was tight enough Niall Reynolds topping the poll with 71, Paddy Browne with 66, Liam Sherry 63, Mary Farrell 53, PJ Curtin 41 & Liz Lysaght with 40.

Below are motions that were passed

Motions from 2-7 were all about Handicap reform from the Handicap Committee and after much deliberation, all were passed. (Please ensure to ask your Club of what changes affect you)
Motion 8 - From 2011 a National Juvenile Officer will be part of NEC.
Motion 9 - Development/Coaching Fund will be set up to make money available to clubs by way of grant/loans etc.
Motion 10 - Constitution to Include 0/55 Ladies & Gents Strokeplay and also Boys & Girls Championships.
Motion 11 - Inter County Championship will now be 18 Hole Foursome & 18 Hole Singles
Motion 12 - PPUI Constitution to be updated to show amateur status of Provision for Cash Prizes of FIPPA Competitions
Motion 17 - Rule 5.1 Delete "as near as possible to the original line of play" and replace with "at nearest point of relief"
Motion 18 - If ball lies all on putting green or spare greens etc ball must be lifted and dropped at least two club lengths clear of the green at nearest point not nearer hole
Motion 24 - Deletion of maximum 5 cent coin in rule 6.5
Motion 33 - All graded Provincial Matchplays be re-introduced for a trial period of 3 years
Motion 37 - Standard Allowance for Scramble be in Constitution
Motion 38 - That National Championship winners from 2010 onwards be automatic in Matchplay and Strokeplay in all grades (I think this got in)
Motion 40 - Beaten Finalist in the Ladies and Gents National Matchplay be automatic the following year
Motion 48 - For all catergories a member will not be entitled to a shot back if they have won more than one gross prize in single open competitions
Motion 58 - Juniors (Juveniles) will now be called U/16's.
Motion 62 - Amendment of 10.1 of Constitution - A club or a member of a club shall not assist in the promotion of nor participate in an open or sponsored tournament or competition not sanctioned by the appropriate governing body. Exceptions shall be members who compete in Business House events provided that all those competing were at some stage on the payroll and play off their PPUI handicap. An addition exception to be societies, non affiliated clubs and groups of such kind provided that all those competing play off their PPUI registered handicap and no prizes or trophies are played for and accepted.
Motion 63. All National events, the club will no get at least €1500 for hosting the event.

Recommendations were spoken about and NEC to speak on them at their meetings in the coming year.

Mervyn Cooney spoke from the heart about the International game and it was truly a great speech. It finally let us all know what exactly is going on at International level. He explained that both himself and John Manning are not seeking re-election to FIPPA in a few weeks, this could be of major concern going forward to lose two of the best administrators ever to have graced the game. Frank Smith has been nominated as FIPPA President for their elections in March.

The meeting offered a lot of debate on each motion, some long, some short but all persons present had the game at heart, which ultimately is what its all about. Some got very strong points across, be it on motions, reports or recommendations and it was great to hear such a great variety of speakers for a change. I am personally quite happy that some of of the Tipperary Motions got passed, showed our efforts were not all in vain.
The wheels are now in motion, we have to try in let these changes outlined above get a chance to grow legs before we start to knock them so I would urge players be patient with the changes, they are there to benefit all players and hopefully this will be achieved.