CAPTAIN!!!

AGM done and dusted!

Sincere thanks to all who supported the AGM, especially Will Clayton the Hon Sec.

Admit it will, you enjoyed the sprt with JF!

Anyway, I thought it went off ok, we got the accounts report and the speeches were light and well accepted.

Thanks to Trevor and Jeanie. Elaine, it's up to us now.............

Can't quite get used to being called Captain though!

Pity some of the winners did'nt turn up to collect their prizes.....never mind eh!

Transcript of the speech..............looking forward to the first round as Captain!!!

Mr President, Past Captains, Ladies and Gentleman, I would like to thank Trevor , Devere and you the members for giving me the opportunity to be YOUR Captain.



You finally got me!


It was good to be able to see this years winners picking up their trophies.


In fact the main reason I decided to accept the Captaincy was that it was the only way I would be able to get my name on a board in the clubhouse..................although recent results may say the contrary.


ANOTHER Fiver tomorrow Trevor?


Please take a few minutes though to remember that there is a lot of effort that goes into the organisation of these events, so a big thank you to the continued efforts of Paul Siviter!

If you will indulge me for a few minutes, I would like to, if I may take you back to October 2001.

• David Beckham scored the last minute free kick against Greece to secure Englands Place in the World Cup
• Aston Villa were top of the Premier League with Manchester United in sixth.......
• Apple Launch the Ipod
• The first Harry Potter film was released
• The USA invaded Afghanistan
• And Tiger Woods Published – Play the Tiger Way – with a chapter called “How to Drive”!

....and I saw an advert in the Sunday Papers for membership at a new course called Wychwood Park.


I sent off a cheque and rang the contact number everyday for 2 weeks to make sure I was in!


I got confirmation and sat back waiting for the course to open!


Wind the clock forward to March 2002 and I get my details through, Member no. 2. Who on earth could have beaten me to number 1?


I had an appointment to meet up with a Mr Frank Kiddie, who was in a show home in Delves Keep, with a chance to whizz round the course on a buggy.


I talked to Frank on the phone, but couldn’t meet up with him as I had my Daughters 6th Birthday Party to go to!


Wind the Clock forward to 8th July 2009 and I’m in Leighton Hospital witnessing the birth of my Son....Joshua 12lbs, mother and baby doing fine.....a very emotional day........... especially as Wychwood Park Golf Club was opening in two days time!


I missed the Inaugrual event, but managed to sneak up the next day to play the Front Nine. Never even walked the course before......Unbelievable!

Saturday Played the Back Nine............Unbelievable!


I was in golfing Heaven..........and from that day forward, it has been an honour to be a member of this golf club and to be able to Play this course.......and now I’m your Captain! With the emphasis on YOUR.............


I joined the Committee in 2004 as Handicap Secretary, a role that I reluctantly leave, and have served on the committee under all but one Captain......so I go into this years Captaincy with my Eyes Wide Open.........I know I have learned from all of the previous Captains and various colleagues on those committees and it will stand me in good stead for the year ahead.


We all know the structure of the Club and the fact that our facilities are provided by Devere and I hope you agree that the course has left very little to complain about.


We all need to understand that the Management here are part of a large organisation and it is not always easy to administer to our every need, but I will endeavour to continue the work that previous Captains and committees have done in supporting the members interests with Devere.


There are a number of things I wish to focus on over the next 12 months, firstly to work with the Committee and with Devere on behalf of all members of the club to enable you enjoy your golf and get value from your membership. GOLF FOR ALL

We have a number of formal sections within the Club, the Ladies , The seniors and the Juniors obviously all of whom I intend to support. We also have the teams, who have been successful and have raised the profile of the Club and long may it continue.


But we also have the social golfers......those who don’t want to play in the arranged events and we need to make sure we cater for them.


We as a committee can only do this by ensuring that we are aware of what you want and what needs to be sorted for you, so the second thing I want to focus on is improving communication between ourselves and providing everyone with the opportunity to have a say in the running of OUR Club. We already have a number of ways of communicating, we need to use them.


We have the members website and the members forum, both of which enable you to interact with the committee and other members, please use them.


I also want to invite a volunteer member to each committee meeting so that the operation of the committee is open to everyone.

I will also run, if the need is there, open clinics where myself and other committee members are available in the clubhouse to answer any questions members may have!


If we do something wrong and you don’t tell us we have both failed.


Finally, we have a joint Captains Charity again this year, the banner may be a giveaway, but the New Lady Captain will formally announce the details, but we have a number of events in mind to solicit your support and I, with the support of a few members, will be cycling in at least one charity event this summer in aid of the Charity. ...................I know it’s hard to believe.


I just ask that you give myself, the Lady Captain and the Committee your full support and I wish you all an enjoyable and successful years golf, a Merry Christmas and a Propsperous New Year!






Thank You