I read with interest the posting from Wayne Chester and the subsequent responses. I thought the following might be of interest. Firstly, Goldpin is not a seperate entity. Goldpin is it's member centres. Each year the centres fielding teams in Emerson Shield, and our other tournaments for that matter, are levied an entrance fee. This amount may vary, subject to the circumstances of a particular year. This amount is charged to the centres. Whilst the expectation is that centres will pay the entry fee, each centre is autonomous and how they apportion the cost is totally their decision. For what it's worth, this year the entry fee is $100-00. Thirty teams competed and the event will run at a small loss which will be covered by the group. I welcome and appreciate the interest in Emerson Shield and am happy to answer queries, however, the first point of reference should always be the centres. My only real issue with the original posting (everyone is entitled to an opinion) is the assertion that Goldpin "kept" bowlers money. Centres are charged the entry fee, not bowlers.