REPORT FROM THE GLCGA AGM 2009 held at The Hare & Hounds Thursday 26th November Annual General Meetings can be tedious – but not ours! A mixture of humour and informality always makes ours a happy, but still informative (!), social occasion.   This year there were extra celebrations as three of our members were honoured by being made Honorary Life Members of the association.   They were: Mary Beavis from Ross-on-Wye GC who was County Chairman from1989-92 and County President 2002-2005. Diana Holmes from Cirencester GC.   Diana was County Captain 1979-81 and  County President 1987-90 also serving on the ELGA Executive. Ann Williams also from Cirencester. Ann was County Chairman 1977-1980 and County President 1996-99. She also served on the ELGA Executive and was Chairman of Rules and Regulations committee.   All three have always supported every aspect of our development.     Lto R: Charlotte Ellis, Mary Beavis, Ann Williams and Hannah Barwood  Honorary Life Member, Diana Holmes   And two of our rising stars who are bringing such honour to the county:   Hannah Barwood from Knowle 2008 English Champion , member of English Home International and European teams,  winner of Faldo Series events all over the world, 3rd in EWGA’s 2009 Order of Merit and in the squad for the selection  of the Curtis Cup team.   Charlotte Ellis of Minchinhampton 2006 English Mid-Amateur Champion, a member of the English Home International team  and 9th in EWGA’s 2009 Order of Merit.   President Jenny Clink said of these two:  “They have not only played sparkling golf for County and Country but been  a fine example of the way the game should be played. We shall watch their progress with great interest and huge pride.”   We also said goodbye to three of our officers: Jenny Clink as President, Barbara Cuff as Chairman and Sue Rawles  as Handicap Adviser.  Their positions are taken by Di Honey, Pat Righton and Sheila Whybra respectively and the  new County Vice President is Marion Jackson.   It is hard to remember a time when Jenny Clink has not been directly involved with the County!  From County rep and number 1 supporter of the juniors, selector, County Captain to President – not to mention the honour  she brought us in her many ELGA roles particularly as its Chairman.   Thanks Jenny for all this – plus your friendliness and humour ….. and the sweeties and sloe gin! Notes from our Retiring Officers Our three retiring officers were sad to leave us as we are to see them depart!  Here is what they had to say:   Jenny Clink I must thank the golfing Ladies of Gloucestershire, firstly, for electing me to be your President for the past two years and  mostly, for all your support and friendship over that time. It has been wonderful ! I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many of you and visiting our beautiful courses to celebrate your successes.   We again came so close to triumph at County Finals – it has to happen soon with our talented and dedicated team. I look forward to supporting them next year.   In the meantime I continue with my role as England Councillor on the LGU Council and from the LGU AGM in January I shall be on the R&A Amateur Status Committee and Chairman of the LGU Selection Committee, which is responsible for selecting the GB&I teams, including the Curtis Cup in 2010 at Essex County in Massachusetts. I am delighted that Hannah Barwood is included in the squad for possible selection for that team.   I look forward to your ongoing support for the County and hope to see you at many events. I wish you a very Happy Christmas and good golfing in 2010.    Sue Rawles I must say thank you to Gloucestershire for giving me the opportunity to serve as County Handicap Adviser for the  last 10 years, a period of rapid change. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the officers and members of the County and been made most welcome by all the  clubs I have visited.   It’s been a hectic 10 years as the Handicapping role coincided with my time at ELGA and latterly the English Women’s Golf Association. I have travelled the length and breadth of the country as well as trips to Sweden and Holland; in addition there  has been the opportunity to qualify as a Referee culminating in officiating at this year’s Open Championship at Turnberry. I have watched fantastic golf, met lovely people and made new friends.   My experience at the sharp end of women’s golf has been challenging, illuminating and occasionally bumpy but a great  honour.   You see, with a helping hand from your County, ordinary people can do extraordinary things!   Thank you Gloucestershire for your encouragement and for giving me these great opportunities - I am very grateful. I wish you all continued success in the years to come.    Barbara Cuff First of all I must thank Brenda O'Neil, my predecessor, and Val Sprott, President at the time, for persuading me that I was an able and suitable candidate to take on the duties of the Chairman. Because of them I have had the opportunity to meet, work and become friends with some wonderful ladies who made my tenure so enjoyable. Having overcome my nerves and fears at the first executive meeting at Stinchcombe Hill, I was overwhelmed by the kindness shown to me by the more experienced officers of the County and quickly gained confidence. I hope that the relaxed and fairly informal approach that I adopted at the meetings was acceptable to the officers and delegates alike. I have been involved with the County for many years as a club delegate for Knowle but the last three years have given me a much greater understanding of all the work that goes on behind the scenes to make Gloucestershire the success that it is. I will of course miss being part of that. It was when I was driving back to Bristol from the AGM that I suddenly thought I will not be doing this journey several times a year any more to attend the many meetings and it was with a feeling of sadness but also with the hope that I had made a useful contribution during my time as Chairman. I will continue to support the County team whenever I can and look forward to them winning the county finals in the not too distant future.