Looking back at previous annual reports, they are full of warming joints, sun cream and balls bounding down the fairway.  Linda and I were at Perranporth on Wednesday and it was scarves, gloves and umbrellas bounding down the fairway.  Not sure I have ever been so cold in February….and it’s July!

The weather bared its teeth somewhat at our first meeting of the year. Northants County was lovely and everyone enjoyed the course and the hospitality. The next day at Luffenham Heath was not so lovely. The course is great, of course, but the rain was pretty consistent. A few declined the opportunity, one or two abandoned, but I was very impressed that most battled through.

The Scratch Cups were won by Annie Haylock from Rushmoor and Adrian Perkins from Brampton Heath, for whom this was his first meeting. Thanks to the Luffenham Captain, who came along to present the prizes.

There were several “first-timers” at this meeting and the theme continued at the next meeting in June at Lyme Regis and East Devon.  In fact, I believe there were 14 “first-timers”, the most any of us could remember. No trouble with the weather thankfully and the views of the coast at each course are absolutely spectacular. The Lyme Regis Captain and his wife joined us for dinner and we obviously managed to behave ourselves as they both joined the society two days later. The winners of the Aynsley Bridgland Trophies were Alison Carter from Salisbury and South Wilts and Lorne Smith from Royal Dornoch, who get the glory but also the job of cleaning and engraving them.

Next up is our AGM at Carden Park, always an enjoyable location and probably the one that looks after us best of all. The 2025 fixture list will be announced at Carden Park and will appear on the website soon after the event.

Then we have Bath and Kingsdown in August, where there are one or two places available, and Frinton and Ipswich in September. Again, a few places available.

If anyone would like to bring a guest, or guests, to Frinton and Ipswich allowing them to experience one of our events before possibly joining please let Brian know.

The next tour is to Como at the end of September. That one was sold out almost immediately. As was the 2025 tour to Gran Canaria in April, hosted by Richard Wadkin. However, Pete Carpenter agreed to take an identical tour three weeks earlier and there are one or two places available on that one.

Lastly, Pat Bennett’s tour to Mauritius in November 2025 does have some places, so please contact her, or me or Brian, if you are interested in that one.

Earlier I mentioned the number of new members coming to our meetings and it is noticeable how the flow of new members has improved since we improved our website. It does take work to maintain though and I must thank Ian Macleod and Ed Devine who do a great job of it.

I don’t always get the chance to say this in person, so let me take this opportunity to welcome all our new members and hope you enjoy our meetings and tours.

Almost finally, special thanks as always to Brian. We all know he does a wonderful job running our meetings. What you don’t realise is that there is even more work behind the scenes which he does equally professionally.

Finally. Most of you will know by now that Michael Curley passed away in May. I will always know him as “The General” but everyone knew him as the man with a blazer and tie for every occasion, even on safari. A great character.

Best Wishes

Robert Hill

Chairman