Dear Fellow Golfers,
Welcome to a new year of golf in 2009.There have been several changes in the Executive Committee this year. After several years as the very successful chairman of the Seniors committee Roger Fielding (Ringway) has taken over as chairman of the Tournament committee, Mike Vine (Stockport) replaces Roger in charge of the Seniors, and Deputy President Ian Niven (Bramall Park) becomes chairman of the Dinner committee in succession to Brian Alexander (Knutsford) who stands down after five years of ensuring that our County Dinner is an event not to be missed. Duncan Macphee (Warrington) continues as chairman of the Finance committee and Colin Shadbolt enters his fifth year as chairman of the Juniors committee ably supported by Mike Jones (Chester) as Manager of the Boys’ team.
Les Jowsey (Stockport) continues as chairman of the County Membership committee and will continue to be assisted by Harry Carlisle as the Membership Meetings Secretary. Gordon Edwards (Bromborough) will remain in charge of the Standard Scratch committee and will continue to oversee the re-rating of all the courses in the county, a task which has to be completed within the next four years! Dr Chris Peterson (Wallasey) takes over from Bob Meston (Prestbury) as chairman of Selectors and he and our County Captain Ron Harrison (Romiley) are hoping for great things this season from our talented squad of players. Finally, John Allen (Prestbury) has agreed to undertake a further year as Honorary Treasurer.
Past President Bob Meston is leaving the Executive after giving many years of devoted service to the County. However Bob is continuing to serve golf at national level with the English Golf Union as Chairman of the Men’s Selection committee, whilst Past President Steven Buckley continues as Chairman of the EGU SSS & Handicap committee
Other EGU news is that Past County President Nigel Evans (Sandiway) becomes Chairman of the Board of The English Golf Union Ltd and Past County President Elwyn Ellis (Prestbury) becomes President Elect of the English Golf Union. Congratulations to them both!
The County Card scheme is currently being evaluated with the intention of trying to facilitate its use not only within the county but also in other counties outside Cheshire. At £18 (£12 for Life Members) it provides excellent value for money!
Members competing in the Members Meetings this year are reminded that Cheshire have agreed that approved Distance Measuring Devices will be allowed in both County Championships and Members Meetings this year.
In association with Cheshire County Ladies Golf Association and the PGA we embarked on a County Golf Partnership early this year. The new entity is still in its embryo stage, but when up and fully running it will hopefully enable a Golf Development Officer to be funded, and grants and sponsorship money may be available for clubs to provide coaching for Juniors and to assist clubs to recruit and retain membership. Immediate Past President Ted Leather is spearheading this project on our behalf, and further news will be published as matters develop.
We are currently in progress of upgrading the format and facilities that the website can offer and during the year you will notice the changes. However even in its present format it provides an invaluable source of information about County affairs, including entry forms for all competitions.
I wish you all an enjoyable and successful year of golf.
John M Kidd
President, Cheshire Union of Golf Clubs
February 2009
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