For a handicap secretary it’s a numbers game
THE role of the club handicap secretary is said to be one of the most complex and ‘scary’ positions to take up in golf.
It requires a certain skillset and is generally believed to suit those who excel mathematically.
For the incoming Handicap Secretary of Seapoint Golf Links, Martina Nolan, it’s going to be a big challenge to get to grips with, even though she’s been playing the game for some 35 years!
‘In all the time I have been playing golf I haven’t worried too much about whether my handicap was going up or down – I just enjoy my golf,’ she commented.
‘As a result, I wouldn’t have had too much knowledge of the area of handicapping, so the idea of being the handicap secretary was daunting to me.’
However, having held many previous roles at Seapoint, notably getting involved in course management on the Greens Committee, Martina was coerced by Lady Captain Mary Upton into taking up the position.
Regardless of her knowledge and experience, Martina has taken the initiative in the first few weeks of her post and is determined that the handicapping of Seapoint members will run smoothly under her watch.
‘As I am completely new to the world of handicaps, we set up a sub-committee made up of the previous Handicap Secretary and two others who would have experience in the area. This means that there is a continuance from the last couple of years and the job is not all left to one person which I feel is important.’
The availability of support from the ILGU has also been of benefit.
‘I attended the East Leinster Handicap Secretaries Meeting at Westmanstown a few weeks ago, which was very helpful. It is great to know that if you have any questions, our handicap advisor is only at the end of the phone.
‘The more I am learning, the more I think it is important to consult with those who have more experience, and if you don’t know the answer to something there is no reason why you can’t ask.’
So what does the role of Handicap Secretary look like at Seapoint?
‘Week to week the role is not overly taxing as our Competitions Secretary and her team look after setting up competitions and making sure handicaps are updated after all qualifying competitions,’ Martina explained.
‘Really I foresee our busiest time being during the handicap review stage. We plan to do a mid-year review in July to look at anyone who may need reductions or increases in line with the new CONGU regulations which came in this year – then the usual Annual Review at the end of the year which I will be relying on our past Handicap Secretary to assist me with, as it will be all new to me!
‘Other than that, if we get any new members our sub-committee will be responsible to allocate their handicaps and guide them in their first few weeks of membership.’
When asked, can the members of her club make her transition into the role any easier, Martina has a couple of suggestions:
‘I know myself that I have only had to ask a question about my own handicap once or twice since I have been playing. I would presume most golfers tend to go to their handicap secretary when there is a problem, but I would also say that if any members find handicaps interesting or would like to learn more about them, then they can contact us too.
‘Other than that, we would hope to have some new members who I would need to be in contact with more often.
‘One of the hardest parts of the role I foresee is making sure that our members report their away scores. It is difficult to know where and when all our members are playing and if their scores have been reported, but all we can do is to keep encouraging them and to explain that the reason behind it is to keep the game fair for all.’
To that end, the Golfing Union of Ireland and the Irish Ladies Golf Union are currently running an awareness campaign designed to safeguard integrity in