I am delighted & feel very privileged to be Lady Captain of Harewood Downs Golf Club and am really  looking forward to the challenge. This will be greatly facilitated with the support of my very competent  Lady Vice Captain, Sue Russell  and our enthusiastic lady committee members.

What a wonderful year the Centenary has been. I wish to express my  thanks and  congratulations to Sue & David  on  all they have achieved  during 2007.

Peter and I are looking forward to getting the next hundred years of golf at Harewood Downs off to a flying start which he certainly accomplished at his “Drive in” and I am confident  he will sustain this throughout the coming year.

My aim within the ladies section is to  develop a programme of enjoyable, competitive golf together with social activities, while giving support and encouragement to all our players in club, county & national competitions.    The club features in several of the County Leagues, and we will strive to regain a few titles. The 2008 final of the Daily Mail Foursomes ( Our ladies did reach this final in 2002) is at Dalmahoy  near Edinburgh and is where I played my first competitive golf so we will be giving every support to Gilly Brewer & Gina Houston who are our qualifiers this year.

The future of ladies golf nationally as well as at HDGC will be developed around a working population.

Our Alternate Day Players (ADP’s)  or Business Ladies section continues to expand and ladies are playing more golf at weekends including interclub matches

The Charities I have selected to support  reflect areas that have aroused my admiration, respect and interest over my working career with children with special needs, and their families. 

They are : Helen House, the renowned Children Hospice  founded in 1982 by sister Dominica, and  secondly PAT (Pets as Therapy). Helen House is named after Helen, a little girl  I knew with a life shortening condition, who laterally required 24 hour care. Pets as Therapy, a national charity co-ordinated from Princess Risborough, reflects my appreciation of the joy and stimulation  pets give to children and adults in their overall care programmes.

I am sure you will give  your help in the year ahead. Watch this space in April and a hint   - - “practice your putting on the 18th green“.

I wish to thank everyone for their abundant good wishes and support. I feel Christmas has come early as I absorb the array of cards . Thank you and have a great year on the golf course.

Sheila Cree