When first elected to the committee of our golf club, some five years ago, little did I think that it would lead to being granted the privilege of becoming Club Captain.  It is an honour of which both my family and I are extremely proud.

May I congratulate last year's captains, John Palmer, Cath Robinson, Neil Gray and Simon Evans.  They all made significant contributions to the club, and Cath came through a trying year with much grace.

I wish this years sectional captains, Celia Shakespeare, Roy Hollyoak and Kieron Austin well.  We have a challenging, yet exciting year ahead of us, along with our respective committees.  I am confident we shall rise to that challenge.

I would encourage the development of our clubs 'friendly tag' I would also like to urge members to support our 'B' Team under the leadership of our Vice Captain Mr Ken Butlin.

Our golf course grows its sreputation year on year.  We must congratulate Brian Stockton and his staff on the preparation and presentation of the course and magnificent greens.

Whilst using the word magnificent, we must encomplass our Professional staff, led by Paul Johnson. Surely, as a team, they must be the best in the country.  Their work within junior golf is unsurpassed and is highly praised by the Golf Foundation.

This is an exciting time at Hagley, with work promised on the locker rooms and sixteenth tee, but it should also be exciting on the golf course, I hope that we can build on last year's success with the Scratch Team, Kieron Austin in the county second and U/18 teams, Steve Carpenter on the National Senior Circuit, Ciara Kelly with the England Birdie Squad and of coaurse we shall be hoping that Felicity Johnson can build on her success on the Ladies European Tour.

Finally may I wish you a very happy and successful golfing 2012

Mark Ralphs
Club Captain