History of the Meg Nunn Salver

As written by her daughter Anne Alletson Brown

Early in the 1970's, Meg was the Country Vice-President of the Queensland Ladies Golf Union. In this role she undertook to visit as many of the country golf clubs in Queensland as she could, and I believe that only 3 clubs were not visited over a period of some 5 - 7 years.

One western course she visited boasted they had been able to put the grader over the fairways the week before her visit!

Meg was accompanied at various times by Johnnie Boyle, a President of the QLGU and other times by Val Webster, also a President or Vice-President. They would fly to say Townsville, then drive west - not a mean feat for a couple of ladies of their age. Every course they visited, Meg played as she was a single marker in those days and was involved in the course rating.

Meg began to understand that country ladies felt they were left out of the "QLGU" - that this body represented only those ladies who played golf in the south eastern corner of the State. At the time, districts were being formed. So the concept of an inter-district match play tournament on handicap, was put before the QLGU committee and the event came into being in the early 1980's.

Pam Ranger, a member and committee person of the Surfers Paradise Golf Club presented the antique silver tray that now bears the name "Meg Nunn Salver" as the districts voted to name the event in her honour.

The first Salver was played in Rockhampton in 1983. Far North Queensland did not send a team as they were a newly formed district and did not have the funds to send one. The draw had been done and Gold Coast were to play Central Queensland first match off. Val Webster tossed the coin for the honour and Gold Coast won the honour. At that time I was captain and the lowest marker of the Gold Coast team so I hit the first ball ever in the tournament named in honour of my Mum. I still get tears in my eyes when I think of it.

My mother’s concept for the tournament was the "grass-root turn up every week" country player could have the opportunity to play match play, represent her District and each year new friends would be made amongst the teams and the Tournament be one of good golf, good companionship and great rivalry.

It was not Meg's idea the players who were members of the state team should be included in the Meg Nunn Salver as they had ample opportunity to attend interstate tournaments of a higher level.

I have a replica of the salver here in our office, also the photos presented to her on the 15^th anniversary of the tournament as a constant memory of great golfing days.

Meg Nunn Salver Selection Criteria

The Meg Nunn Inter-District Match Play Event was a competition contested annually by the seven Districts of Queensland – Far North Queensland, North Queensland, Central Queensland, Sunshine Coast & Burnett District, Downs & South West, Gold Coast and Brisbane & District.

• The team consists of 6 players.
• Maximum GA Handicap for the event was16 and full handicaps apply.
• State Squad members, Q.A.S players and Junior players were not eligible for selection.

As full handicap allowance applied, the players selected were not necessarily those with the lowest handicaps in the District as venues and local conditions influenced the spread of the handicaps of the players selected.

The Pennant Divisions taken into account were Gold, Silver, and Weekend 1, 2 and 3 and other Pennant competitions played by clubs in the BDLGA District.

AS A GUIDE

A player’s past history, and her performances in Pennant matches has a large bearing on selection and her WIN/LOSS record for the season taken into account. The handicap of her opponents also was taken into consideration in her WIN/LOSS record.

Participation in B&DLGA scheduled tournaments and championships was also taken into account.

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA

The team spent a lot of time together and stayed as a team for the duration of the event.

Players needed to be fit enough to cope with the stress on their body and mind as 6 rounds were played in 3 ½ days. Age was not a problem as there has  been a wide range of ages of team members over the years.

Players needed to be available for the duration of the event and, if necessary, confirmed that leave was approved from work or other commitments.

Fax or email was preferred for submission of the Nomination Form.

N.B. The nomination of any players did not guarantee team selection. However, all nominations were considered.

The selection committee reserved the right to invite players to attend any selection trials if organised.

Eligibility and Conditions of Play

Eligibility

• Handicap range – Maximum GA 16 (full difference to apply).
• A player’s eligibility to compete for a district is determined by the district where the player is handicapped – includes border clubs affiliated with Queensland.
• State Players and QAS students are ineligible for selection until two years have elapsed from that experience.
• Age is limited to 18 years and over
• Players must be Australian citizens or have lodged citizenship application papers

Conditions of Play

• Teams shall consist of 6 players with 5 to play in the round. Changes to the nominated team, must be advised the day before play commences.
• The indexing of the golf course (whether the balanced index – as per the WGA handbook - or some other index) is up to the host district to decide. Should a district deem that some matches are to commence on the 10th tee, those matches will be deemed to have commenced on the 1st for the purpose of applying the index.
• Teams shall play in order of handicap with the highest markers to tee off first.
• No match shall proceed past the 18th hole.
• Team lists must be handed to the Scorer, Starter and opposing Captain, fifteen (15) minutes before play begins. Team lists must include handicaps.
• The Rules of Golf and the local rules of the host club are to apply.
• Proof of handicap must be produced on request.
• The use of mobile phones is prohibited. The use of a mobile phone on the golf course (except in the case of medical emergencies) is a serious breach of etiquette (Rule 33-7). Penalty – disqualification.
• In the event of a tie, a count back will be taken over matches won.
• All protests must be lodged with the match committee in writing within 30 minutes of the completion of play. The match committee’s decision is final.
• A professional golfer may be appointed a team captain but may not be a caddie. Penalty – disqualification.
• Players with a medical certificate or over the age of 65 may use a motorised cart. Any caddy may use a motorised cart
• Giving of Advice: Refer to Rule of Golf 33-1. The committee may, in the conditions of a team competition, permit each team to appoint one person you may give advice (including pointing out a line for putting) to members of that team. The Committee may establish conditions relating to the appointment and conduct of that person, who must be identified to the Committee before giving advice
• Points will be allocated as follows:
  • Individual Win 1 point Individual Square ½ point
  • Winning Team 2 points Team Square 1 point