It's Over!

Well, my year as Captain is over and there is a sense of relief, pride and a large element of sadness, almost an empty feeling.

I was quite surprised that I would feel like this.

I did my closing speech and felt I covered the salient points, but to recap:

Well, where did that year go...............................a cliché I know, but it only seems like yesterday (12 months ago) that I stood before you, jacketless, Vice Captain less, preparing for my year as your Captain



And what an INTERESTING Year it has been.


We’ve just seen some of the winners presented with their trophies, but that’s not the half of it......


The teams had a mixed year, with the A team struggling towards the end of the season and ending up 5th. The B team, I guess it’s safe to say, struggled all season and did really well to stay in the 1st division. The only Silverware this year coming from the Scratch Cup and of course, not forgetting the Veterans Cup runner up spot.


Oh and we did manage to regain the Weston challenge which Trevor Managed to lose last year!!!


Playing for the team is a big commitment, so I thank everyone who has played this year, win, lose or draw.


I set myself a number of challenges in the year, one of which to have played golf with 100 different people, well I got to 83, which was not bad. Thanks to all 83 of you for putting up with me!


I was also presented with a number of other challenges throughout the year, which with the help of my committee and Iain Gray and Jon Farmer we managed as effectively and efficiently as we could.


I’d like to thank my Committee and the whole Devere team who I can honestly say have the members interests at heart despite the corporate demands placed upon them. As I said 12 months ago, we need to understand the situation we are in as a club and the relationship we have as Members with Devere,


There have been many high points for me during the year, the Joint Captains day, a long but rewarding day, with decent weather for a change.


A great Captains Awayday at Trentham Golf club, pity about the football afterwards Two personal highlights:


I actually won a couple of rounds of the Singles Knockout and I had the honour of playing in the Euro Pro pro am with the Winner and Runner up of our Club Championship and a professional who actually played at the Masters in Augusta.....he missed the cut, but at least he can say he played there!


Oh and thanks to the heavy frost I believe I hold the record for the longest Captains Drive In!!!


We also raised a significant amount of money for the Help for Heroes Charity, I will leave Elaine to announce the total, but thanks to all who supported the charity. And don’t forget you can now go in the water on 14 without any financial penalty!


Low’s.....well not too many, but one thing I do regret is not having been able to do more for the Junior Section.






Finally, a few thanks..........


Firstly I’d like to thank Elaine for her support throughout the year, keeping me under control...........I think she has done a great job in keeping the Ladies section going.


Secondly, I’d like to thank Will Clayton who has been Honorary Secretary for the past few years and has done an excellent job keeping us all within the rules!!! He has decided to step down, but my personal thanks go to Will.........


I’d like to thank everyone who has worked on the committee, but there are two people I’d like to single out.


Jeff Dean took on the onerous task of Treasurer this year and there were a number of issues that needed to be resolved when he took it on and the job he has done and the tenacity with which he has tackled the task has been immense!


Someone else who has also served on the committee for a number of years with probably the most difficult task on the committee is Paul Siviter..........having been competition secretary myself, it is at times a thankless task, but without the effort that Paul has put in there would be no competitions!!!! Having said that he is stepping down, so for those of you interested in taking it on, it’s the easiest job going!!!






One last thank you.................it goes to someone who over the past 5 years has been un-wilting in supporting the club championship, captains and presidents days and long may it continue.........Tony Welburn


So that just leaves me with one final duty, to thank you for your support and formally hand over to your new Captain, Mr Martin Wainman..............all the best Martin and I hope you have a successful and enjoyable year.

Nearly Over

About 16 hours left as Captain!

That year has gone quick and tomorrow afternoon I hand over to Martin Wainman..............gonna be a fun year with Martin in charge!

Juast finishing off the handover speech and then that's me done. Highs, Lows and thanks! (I'll publish it tomorrow)

Promise to catch up on missing entries as well.