I don the Captain’s jacket with great pride in the knowledge there have been some one hundred Captains before me – a daunting thought!  To be elected your Captain is an honour and a privilege and as I said at the AGM in my opening speech I now have to show that I am worthy of your faith in me.

We enter the year knowing that the nights are long and, more significantly, the golfing daylight hours are short.  However in no time at all we will all have a spring in our step knowing the season is upon us and looking forward to many golfing contests be they with fellow members or against competing Clubs.  I know there are a number of you who will wish to prove a point so both the Pro and I look forward to your challenges. 

We have a very exciting group of cadets who by virtue of their ability also create many challenges for the members in both medals and competitions where eligible.  We must not see them as a threat but as the future of the Club.

The 2008 Calendar is now well and truly in place with interesting and diverse social events which I would ask you all to support.  Ian Terry my vice-captain, who some of you may know as Father Christmas, is now fully in charge of the programme. The clubhouse has now been decorated in readiness for the many festive events being held this month. Please note there are still some tickets available for New Year’s Eve.

When deciding on my charity I wanted it to be local, hopefully known to some of you, and yet be far reaching in its aims.  Restore Hope Latimer is based in the Chess Valley and works with under-privileged children and their families, improving life skills and offering opportunities for personal development.  I hope you will all support this worthy cause by frequently visiting the front bunker on the 15th.

I know most members have their own views on how the Club should be run so during my tenancy as your Captain I intend to do a fair share of listening and on issues of importance hopefully help to find some of the solutions that are in the best interests of everyone.

I am looking forward enormously to my year and with the support of my wife Pam, our Lady Captain Sheila Cree, and you the members I am sure we will have a great year to rival the best.

Peter White