Ladies from the length and breadth of the County assembled at the Bristol Golf Club on Monday 9th December for the County Annual General Meeting.
With the magnificent English Women's County Champions trophy adorning the table, the outgoing President, Sue Rawles expressed her pride at the achievements of our teams.
To win the title 3 years out of 4 was the stuff of dreams and the reality was fantastic - followed up by Gloucestershire winning the Second Team Trophy to complete the set!
There were excellent reports from our Competition Secretary Jane Rowell and outgoing Treasurer Victoria Logue, Sue thanked them both on behalf of the Association, and made a presentation to Victoria on her retirement after 5 years in post.
Su Mallon captured the tension and excitement of County Match Week and a very exciting and successful week at Delamare Forest when Gloucestershire won the title. with a day to spare.
Su said to the meeting "I cannot praise the teams enough, their ability, dedication, hard work, sense of humour, and team spirit is second to none, and the squad continues to grow from strength to strength, as I said as the beginning Glos are very lucky to have such depth and I am proud and honoured to be their Captain.
I would like to thank everyone of you for your support throughout the season, The Teams relish your support and feed off every cheer and good wish, so thank you and I look forward to seeing you at the events next year."
We listened to interesting reports from Sandra Gibbs (2nd Team) Jayne Rose (SW representative ) and Sue Gibson in preparation for our change to the World Handicapping System next year, we were all encouraged to return as many cards as possible in readiness for the change!
With a lovely display of photographs in the room our CJO Janice Saunders told us all about the activities of the Girls in 2019, not just their playing abilities (one girl had reduced by 23 strokes) but all their fantastic money making ideas. Their fancy dress AmAm is hugely popular and the 6 course challenge was a great success this year,
The President thanked Janice for a great report and for all her hard work and another very successful year for GGG. Our Junior set up truly is the envy of the South West and it is about having fun whilst being introduced to the finer points of golf.
The County Golf Partnership report was full of activities and news on the development of golf in this area and Sue thanked Debbie Casling for her delivery and her work as Chairman (in her spare time!) And finally, Karen Rix brought us up to date with the activities of the Seniors Golf Society and some changes to their programme in 2020.
The Officers proposed for 2020 went through unopposed, Sue Rawles congratulated them all but went on to say that next year we would be looking for a Treasurer, a Vice Captain, a County Junior Organiser and a lead Course Rater in the South. She asked everyone to think long and hard if they might be able to help or if they know someone who just "needs asking".
Sue then handed over the Presidency to Vicky Watkins of Broadway GC
"Lots of you will already know Vicky.She comes with plenty of experience as a past County Captain and also held the position of South West Representative.
She is from a golfing family, has a golfing husband and plays a mean game off 8!
She has a great sense of humour and I know will be a super President."
Vicky thanked Sue for her work as President and presented her with a gift as a token of appreciation.
As she stepped down Sue said " Thank you Vicky for all your help and support and of course the Executive Committee, I salute you all for the work you do.
I have done a lot of hugging and pig rubbing, driven hundreds of miles and watched a lot of golf and met some really lovely people, players, members, parents and supporters. I have been part of something very special and I thank you all for your friendship and support not forgetting the ladies from Tewkesbury Park GC and my husband Robert.
Thank you for letting me be your President."
Following the Presentation of Trophies Sue thanked Grant Masterston, Gemma Smith and everyone at the Bristol for looking after us today