THE ASSOCIATION'S OBJECTIVES
Our association was founded by Gordon Emerton-Court and others at a meeting held at Littlestone Golf Club on October 23rd, 1995.
Our purpose is to promote greater friendship amongst golfers from all clubs in Kent and, whilst enjoying convivial company both on the course and at the 19th hole, to support worthy County causes. To this end, we donate annually to the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance and to the captain’s chosen charity (currently Young Lives Foundation in Maidstone).
Our affairs are managed by a very experienced committee – with the result that we are financially sound. On this, our website, we set out our purpose, programme, policies, historical records and handy resources for members. It also publishes our management structure, the minutes of our AGMs and each year it introduces our Captain. The Order of Play for each Fixture is published on the website together with the Leaderboard and Results.
MEMBERSHIP
43 Kent golf clubs are now affiliated to our association. We are growing, and presently have over 700 members who belong to one or more of those clubs. The annual subscription is presently ₤5, which becomes due and payable on January 1st, of each year.
Our members must be aged 60 or over, belong to a golf club affiliated to the Kent County Golf Union (https://www.kentgolf.org/), have a Central Database of Handicap (CDH) numbers, and a competition handicap to a maximum Index of 28. At the discretion of the committee, members of a neighbouring Golf Club that are affiliated to their Golf Union may be eligible provided they meet the terms outlined above. Our dress code is Jacket & Association tie or ‘smart casual’, at individual player’s choice.
Between April and October each year our members compete for 10 fine trophies. Eight Stableford matches (six singles competitions and one pair) are played at selected Kent clubs. Cash prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in Division 1 (handicap Indexes up to 17.9) and in Division 2 (handicap Indexes 18 to 28). The player with the best Stableford score is presented with the Trophy plus an engraved spirit glass as a keepsake. The player Nearest the Pin on each par 3 hole wins a bottle of wine. A “2s” competition for charity delivers cash prizes.
Each match features coffee/tea on arrival, 18 holes of golf, followed by a 2-course meal. Typically, these fixtures attract up to 100 players who play off the Yellow (middle) tees. In addition, a competition is reserved for our club Representatives who look after our members in each affiliated club and we field a 16-man team to compete against Devon County veterans (DMVGA) – in Kent in even years and in the West Country in odd years. Our annual match v Cornwall County seniors (CSGA) is temporarily postponed.
For all enquiries regarding membership, please contact our Membership Secretary (jeffrey@silvertrees19.plus.com)
Peter Kelham
Hon Secretary