CONTINUING THE MAITLAND SHIELD DEBATE

Maitland Shield player problems? What about 

the 10-man Pennant League then?
 
FROM RYAN FORBES, Nigg Bay GC
If clubs can't arrange four players from six to play in the Maitland Shield, they should be thinking twice about entering a 10-man team in the Aberdeen Pennant League. 
If you can't guarantee getting away from work, you shouldn't be committing yourself to play in these events. If your club has to scratch from the game on the day, you have let down and inconvenienced your opponents who may have made themselves available by using annual leave etc!
I feel the problem here is that match secretaries are not arranging players in advance. The Maitland Shield has had this rule for some time and I fully agree with it.
The only suggestion I can make to improve the availability of players is to submit the team of six on the Sunday evening prior to the event.
As for teams struggling to field teams in the Aberdeen Pennant League , it must be noted that this may not only have an effect on clubs progressing to the final stages of the league, it may have an financial effect on clubs who still have to pay caterers etc. Not to mention the 1hr slot a club may potentially lose in green fees.  
With the ongoing low oil price, some clubs are losing vital corporate memberships and are also tightening there belts. Teams must be committed if entering these events or they will soon become a shambles.

Ryan Forbes
Nigg Bay GC