Our objectives when planning this trip were threefold:

- To reward the squad for all their hard work and results in 2009.

- To give our best players the chance to work with an experienced coaching team on some of the best facilities in Europe.

- To continue to develop the team spirit that was such a factor in our success last year.

The coaching team comprised of Andy Dunbar, Adrian Riddell and Steve Scott-Bowen-(Director of Golf at The Kendleshire GC).

Wednesday morning brought bright sunshine and by 9am the squad was well into the morning coaching sessions which consisted of distance pitching, group psychology and putting drills.

In the afternoon the squad headed for the first tee, many having never seen a desert golf course before. The course took some planning and our goal for the day was to find the best way to chart the course from a management perspective and present our findings back at the evening briefing.

The evening sessions were a real hit and gave the guys the chance to share best practice and discuss ideas with the coaching team whilst enjoying a beer at the team villa.

Thursday morning again brought perfect weather and the team spent the morning practicing before the serious business started on the course.

We had decided to run a mock 6's format with 2 teams combining all their scores and competing against each other. This meant there was nowhere to hide and with a nasty cross-wind sweeping across the course a tough start ensued.

Scores on the first ranged from four to ten as players struggled with the blustery conditions and attempting to implement their newly practiced skills.

Sam Dodds carded the lowest score of the day, an excellent level par 71.

Friday morning was again spent practicing and the afternoon team building session on the football field proved very popular with some standout performances from Sam, Adrian, Gareth and Dale. The red faces of the older members of the group perhaps highlighted another training need?

Saturday featured a skills test which was jointly won by Sam and Louis and the second round of the 6's format. With an eleven shot deficit Louis' team needed to shape up fast in order to catch the opposing team, led by vice captain Dave 'El Wizard' Westwood.

Gareth carded the low round of the day, again a level par 71 but the overall event was won by Sam who carded a 72 -(which would have been nearer 62 had either of his playing companions been taking his putts!!).

Excellent stuff all round with the scoring in the strokeplay determining the pairings for the final days matchplay. The championship game featured Sam against Gareth and with both players holing clutch putts on the last green the match ended all square. By all accounts an impressive standard of play and a fitting climax to a magnificent week.

Feedback from the players was very positive and hopefully the county has achieved the objectives set out above. We look forward to a similar trip in 2011!

Special thanks to the coaching team for all their hard work and efforts. Its never easy managing a group of individuals who are all fighting for your time!

Thanks also to coaching manager Gareth Jenkins for his tireless work in coordinating the coaching programme and Graham Hayes for his behind the scenes organisation. Without you the captain would have even more grey hairs!

And finally, thanks to President John Duncombe and Vice John Powell for their enthusiasm and management of the players drinks fund. I'm sure the next recipient of your hire car will be most excited to find the 60 cans of non-alcoholic San Miguel in the boot at their disposal?..