2023 Pennant Review and Update

 

As the 2023 season wraps up, I would like to thank everybody for their autonomy and effort during the round matches. I think everything went extremely well and I appreciate the running feedback we got from each Pennant Captain and individual clubs.

Secondly, I would like to thank our golf clubs, professionals, volunteers, and management for fitting us in with short notice.

 

This year we saw 28 teams compete across 5 divisions. We adopted some new pennant formats that saw greater fields at a single venue, entire divisions playing at the same venue, more round matches, and teams playing matches against everyone within their division.

I am still seeking feedback from our teams and clubs regarding these changes as I can see both the positives and the pushback from each party.

 

We only had one interrupted round resulting in squared matches and a reschedule of 2 of our divisions. As I have pointed out to a few individuals rescheduling our Division 1 and Division 2 matches was the only equitable outcome as some teams would have played more matches than the rest of the division, and teams would not have had the opportunity to play their home game.

 

I am now commencing the final series and based on the early feedback we will have a central document that we adopt moving forward into the 2024 season. This will be decided at the 2023 Pennant meeting held following the finish of our last division final.

If you cannot make the 2023 Pennant meeting, I strongly urge anyone that has questions or feedback/suggestions to forward them to a club representative or to email me at length at luke.woods@golfnsw.org.au

 

I am currently compiling the following agenda for our upcoming pennant meeting for your perusal, and further noting our proposed dates for next year's pennant season, early nomination for hosting Semi’s and Finals, and further explanation of our proposed rollover of nominated teams.

 

 

 

  1. Pennant Format – Home and away vs Neutral Venue
    • Determined by the number of teams nominated.
    • Pros and cons of each format

 

  1. Pennant Finals (How many do we reward / structure)
    • 4, 5, 6 teams
    • 7,8,9, teams
    • 10+ teams

 

  1. Pennant Draw creation and course allocation.
    • Geographically match sides to reduce travel.
    • Make sure we mix 9 and 18-hole venues.
    • Maximum number of matches/players at a single venue?
    • Nomination / annual rollover and confirmed 1 month prior to the season commencement.

 

  1. $$ incentive to clubs to host pennant finals.
    • Set amount for green fees pp. and negotiated F&B offering.
    • Nomination in advance and we can adjust numbers based on home sides needing a neutral venue.

 

  1. Cost of Pennant and Prizes
    • Golf NSW proposing no cost to teams moving forward (Part of District Affiliation)
    • Pennant flag or just cash, and or other suggestions?

 

  1. Any further suggestions for pennant changes
    • Pennant format
    • Pennant window (Time of year)
    • Length of Pennant window (Reduce or increase rounds)
    • Limit amount of teams
    • Include further costs
    • Review Competition terms and each division
    • JNR and SNR Division
    • Please add…….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proposed 2024 Dates

 

Week

Event

Date

Week 1

Round 1

7-Apr-24

Week 2

Round 2

14-Apr-24

Week 3

Round 3

21-Apr-24

Week 4

Round 4

28-Apr-24

Week 5

Round 5

5-May-24

Week 6

Mother’s Day (No Golf)

12-May-24

Week 7

Round 6

19-May-24

Week 8

Spare / Semi-Final

26-May-24

Week 9

Semi / Final

2-Jun-24

Week 10

June Long Weekend (No Golf)

9-Jun-24

Week 11

Last Final Date MNC Window

16-Jun-24