Mr Ellis told of hid time as EGU President, when he missed a Warwickshire dinner because of three conflicting dinners, including that to celebrate the Centenary of County Golf in Cumbria. He proffered his apologies for that but gave it an example of the commitments that working for the EGU, and any County Union, brings. Our Warwickshire representatives at the EGU were duly acknowledged.

He told of his introduction to golf when his father purchased a house backing onto Royal Lytham & St Annes GC. School was a short walk across the course and Elwyn's first impressions were of golf such as that demonstrated by Henry Longhurst and Gerald Micklem in the then Daily Telegraph Pro-Am Foursommes competition.

There was much praise for Andy Sullivan on his Walker Cup heroics, and a first mention of Jamie Carney winning the Midland Order of Merit.

Warwickshire's performance in reaching the County Finals for a 19th time, with five wins, was said Elwyn, a recognition of our County's status.

The response came from our President John Powell.

John welcomed all the top table, including Copt Heath Captain Keith Lester.

He detailed our season rivalry with Notts for both Midland League team titles - and our being runner's up on both occasions.

Our reaching the County Finals was a success in itself and congratulations were offered to both County Captain Dave Wstwood and retiring Second team Captain Neville Gardner, who so nearly won a 'double' with his team.

Steve Creed was announced as the next County Captain, for 2013, whilst Karl Smith will take over as Captain of the 2nds next year.

The only trophy won (which was regained after ending a 10 year winning streak in 2010)was the Midland 4 Counties - taken by our Boys team.

There was another trophy to finish the season, that of the Midland U14s team Championship so brilliantly won by our youngest players.

The new Chairman of Junior Golf will be Don Smith, taking over from John Jewsbury who will become our new President next Spring.

Warwickshire Seniors had another successful and competitive season.

John them added his praise and thanks to all our Counties' individual and team champions - Amateur winner Tom Ibbertson, Seniors Champion Anton Holliday, Open Champion Jamie Carney, Boys Champion Adam Lumley, U16s Champion Daanyal Spalding, U14s Champion Stefan Gnyla and U12s winner Tom Cleaton.

Team trophy winners were The Warwickshire (The Bainbridge Shield), Coventry (The Warwickshire Cup), Ladbrook Park (County team Champions) and Kenilworth (Junior County Team Champions).

He then went on to detail Andy Sullivan's efforts in the Walker Cup, for England, and in winning three major amateur championships. John wished Andy well in his career as a Professional.

There were then presentations - the Midland Order of Merit to Jamie Carney by Andrew Blows, President of the MGU, then the prizes for the County Order of Merit - to joint winners Tom Ibbertson and Paul Walker, and to third place Karl Smith.

Johns' speech finished with his talking about all the work done by all the committees, the Professional support and members of the Executive, and notably the seamless transition of County Secretaries - Graham Hayes was acting as Toast Master for the evening and was 'missed far less than would have believed possible' in his hand-over to our new Secretary Matt Nixon.

The evening finished with a response on behalf of the guests, this time a a second consecutive hour of wit and repartee from Ian Irving, a speech much appreciated by all the attendees.

A final thanks goes to Copt Heath, to their Secretary Clive Hadley and all his team, for the hospitality on the evening.