The Formation of the RAFGA

THE EARLY YEARS

The RAFGA is very grateful to Gp Capt (Retd) Roger Carr, Hon Sec of the RAF Golf Society (RAFGS), who has very kindly researched the transfer of various responsibilities from the RAFGS to the newly-formed RAFGA in the early 1970s, by means of minutes of RAFGS committee meetings (CM) and annual general meetings (AGM) and the annual RAFGS Membership Handbooks.

CM, 19 Aug 69 (RAFGS Chair, Air Cdre Douglas):

Letter received from RAF Sorts Board requiring RAFGS to have a separate bank account to handle the Annual grant from RAF Sports Board, to be used exclusively for Inter-Service golf and RAF matches, to be operated by serving RAF officer (Wg Cdr Paddy Hine was appointed as the first treasurer) and audited by Sports Board auditors. Wg Cdr Hine was at that time RAF Hon Match Sec (Golf) responsible for running the RAF Championship Meeting – a position he asked to be relieved of. Committee noted this and deferred action.

CM, 11 Nov 69 (RAFGS Chair, Air Cdre Douglas):

Wg Cdr Paddy Hine reported he had consulted Sports Board and agreed to act as Treasurer provided he did not run the Championship Meeting. Grant £450 for next 5 years.

AGM, 16 Sep 70 (RAFGS Chair, AVM Cecil Beamish):

Chairman advised Sports Board funding change.
From the floor it was suggested that it might be financially beneficial to serving personnel if Service golf was controlled by a ‘Golf Association’ but at the same time it was not envisaged that there would be a break away from the RAFGS. Discussed at length. Committee to examine the matter.

CM, 6 Jul 71 (RAFGS Chair, AVM Cecil Beamish):

Committee considered advisability of:

Withdrawing its mandate by which it was responsible for the RAF Golf Championship, Inter-Service matches, selection of RAF teams and giving advice on golf matters at station level.
Forming a RAFGA which would take over above functions.
Sub-committee formed to report by 9 Sep 71; Gp Capt Price (Chairman), Air Cdre Green, Wg Cdr Nicholson (RAFGS Hon Sec).

CM, 9 Sep 71 (RAFGS Chair, AVM Cecil Beamish):

Committee felt that a marriage between an RAFGA and RAFGS would be best way forward.
Committee guided by President (MRAF Sir William Dickson, ex-CDS).
Committee felt that as RAF Sports Board held the purse strings they were the best body to make a decision.
Formed recommendations to put before AGM.

AGM, 28 Sep 71 (RAFGS Chair, AVM Cecil Beamish):

Recommended a choice of one of :

(a) RAFGA to be formed as for other sports within RAF and RAFGS should hand over all responsibility for golf within RAF to RAFGA.

(b) RAFGS to retain its responsibilities but to co-opt Command golf representatives onto RAFGS committee.

AGM voted for (b).

CM, 23 Nov 71 (RAFGS Chair, AVM Cecil Beamish):

Chairman reported progress made and produced a draft letter to the Sports Board for the approval of the committee and President. Next RAF Sports Board Meeting was Apr 72.

CM, 9 May 72 (RAFGS Chair, AVM Cecil Beamish) inc Gp Capt Price & Sqn Ldr Pattinson:

Chairman produced a letter from the RAF Sports Board (AF/2451/69/DSRG (RAF) dated 1 May 72), informing that the RAFGA was to be formed at the earliest opportunity. Accepted by RAFGS committee.
Consideration about future constitution of RAFGS committee (ie. no longer a requirement to have a serving officer as Chairman).
Suggestion that Chairman & Sec of RAFGA to be ex-officio members.

CM, 22 Aug 72 (RAFGS Chair, AVM Cecil Beamish) inc Gp Capt Price & Sqn Ldr Pattinson:

Trophies to be handed over to RAFGA:

RAF Individual Championship Cup (Duke of Sutherland).
RAF Inter-Unit and Station Team Championship Cup.
RAF Inter-Command Team Championship Cup.

AGM, 20 Sep 72 (RAFGS Chair, AVM Cecil Beamish):

RAFGS subscriptions increased from £1 to £2.
Chairman reported formation of RAFGA.
Gp Capt Bob Price (RAFGA Chairman) & Sqn Ldr J Pattinson (RAFGA Sec).

See the record of [link not available] since the founding of the GA in 1972...