S.L.C.G.A.

At the time of last year's AGM the management of EWGA was in a state of turmoil which resulted in the resignation of four non-executive directors. I am pleased to report that as we approach the end of the second year of the new regional structure the management situation is now stable following the appointment of four new non-executive directors to the management board. The directors appointed are a business consultant, a commercial litigation lawyer, a financial and business analyst and a marketing consultant thereby providing a wide range of business and commercial experience for EWGA.

The management board has overall responsibility for EWGA and in particular for finance and budgets. The board is comprised of the Chairman Sue Whittaker, the CEO Jim Robinson, the accountant, Mike Hall and the four non-executive directors.

Below the management board sits the operational board which has responsibility for all golf related matters through seven sub committees. This board is comprised of a Chairman, the six Chairmen of the regional committees and the CEO Jim Robinson. The CEO is the link between the operational board and the management board.

Below the operational board are the six regional committees. Each regional committee has a Chairman and six county regional representatives. The theory is, and I hope in practice as well, that those of us who are county regional representatives provide a link between the clubs and the operational board through which information is exchanged in both directions.

To carry out my role as the Staffordshire regional representative, during the year I have attended four regional meetings, two at Edgbaston and two at Notts Ladies Golf Club at Hollinwell. I also attended the EWGA AGM at the National Motorcycle Museum in January and deputised for the Midlands North Regional Chairman at the Operational Board meeting in December 2008.

With regard to competitions, as you are aware 2009 has been the first year of the new Regional Ladies, Girls and Foursomes competitions. These competitions have been reasonably well supported across the Region and Staffordshire players have featured among the prizes. Most notable was Bronwyn Davies who won the Midlands North Region Girls' Championship in August at Stoke Rochford in Lincolnshire. It is important that we all continue to support these competitions and for your information for 2010 the Foursomes will be at Coxmoor in Nottinghamshire on 22nd April, the Ladies' Championship is at Market Drayton in Shropshire from 12-14th July and the Girls' Championship is at Chevin in Derbyshire on 23rd August. Also, there will be a Regional Final for the Australian Spoons at Beedles Lake in Leicestersire on 7th June.

The Regional five day county week for 2010 will be held at Kenwick in Lincolnshire from 7th-11th June. This follows this year's county week which as you all know was held at Trentham Golf Club in June. Following several months of planning I believe Staffordshire hosted an event that was enjoyed by all and both the course and players ensured we watched a very high standard of golf. The best golf I saw was a drive, three iron and twelve foot put for an eagle three on the par 5 eighth. Unfortunately these shots were by a Lincolnshire foursomes pair in the match against Staffordshire. However, as Corinne will report, Staffordshire did enjoy a successful week. Many thanks to Trentham Golf Club and in particular the Trentham Ladies for being so supportive and helping to ensure that county week was a great succes

The good news is that as a reward for hosting county week in the following year we do not have to host a regional competition. The only regional event in Staffordshire in 2010 is the EWGA Medal Final at Brocton Golf Club on May1st which is organised and run by a team from EWGA.

Initial feedback suggests that the EWGA medals are running smoothly and the only amendment to the initial rules was with regard to buggies. Buggies may now be used in EWGA Medals provided that the club permits their use. During 2010 there will be a new scratch medal competition to run alongside the EWGA medal competition. The first scratch final will be in 2011.

My April regional meeting was attended by Sue Whittaker, the Chairman of the Management Board, who reported that a joint committee of five members of EWGA and five members of EGU has been set up to discuss the possibilities of a merger. These talks are still on going and are addressing issues such as governance, gender balance and whether there should be a shadow board before a merger is finalised.

I must re-iterate a plea to please continue to support the EWGA Trust by buying the raffle tickets currently in circulation and by ordering the Trust Diary, which is similar to the old LGU Diary. Like many charities in the present economic climate the Trust is struggling to raise sufficient funds and to coin a well used phrase ‘every little helps'.

I would like to thank Sandra Fraser from Druids Heath for representing Midlands North on the Championship, Venues and Rules of Golf Committee, Jill Sly from Brocton for being the Midlands North representative on the voting procedure working group, Joanne Marks from Trentham for continuing to be the Midlands North regional administrator and Gill Bloxham from Brocton for ensuring that the Staffordshire website is always up to date with Regional and EWGA news.

Finally, for the past two years I have thoroughly enjoyed being the Staffordshire Regional Representative within the new EWGA Regional structure. From the 1st January I look forward to continuing to support the county from my new position as Chairman of the Midlands North Regional Committee.