John initially talked about the tremendous fortitude show by the Boys in the County Finals, and how beating Lancashire was a great achievement. Only one player in the Surrey team was higher handicap than +2 and in one of the foursommes matches, a Surrey pair had played 10 holes in -5 (under par) - in a 45mph gale!

Warwickshire won an eighth consecutive Four Counties at the beginning of the year, dropping on four points from a possible twenty-four, and winning one match 8-0 - a record!

Rob Bardsley was an excellent Captain, following his 14 for 14 record from 2007 with 13.5 from 16, two of those losses coming in his final match for the Juniors against Surrey, when he lost on the last green in his singles.

'Rob was thoughtful, inspirational and a great captain - we wish him luck'

For the U16s, the Junior Committee expected a poor season and got what was predicted. Five out of six matches were away and there was only one win ? 'we were not very good' said John

Tom Ibbertson won the Boys, beating Will Bailey by a shot with Jamie Carney one shot further back. Will took the Matchplay.

Rhys Lawrence won the U14s by birdying the last, and is young enough to defend his title, whilst even younger talent in the form of Maxwell Martin (the European title) and Joshua Davenport (the Wee-Wonders) were both national champions.

In the coaching, the Union did not receive extra funding from the EGU so had to curtail part of their coaching programme, notably the specialist putting that had been provided in 2007.

For 2009, John expects a team of about the same standard as 2008, retaining four of the team who played in the County Finals and three others who played for the Boys team.

'We have reasonable prospects for 2009, and through a quirk in the calendar, we host both the Four Counties and the Juniors 6s', said John.

Jamie carney will be proposed as the Boys Captain at the WUGC Ltd AGM, and the U16s are expected to be better than 2008, with Martin Yates (Kenilworth) taking over from Dick Ferry as U16s manager. Three of the U14s from last year will still be available for that team, with Dick Ferry keeping one position in his retirement, looking after the youngest golfers.

For this years coaching, John explained that some players had not used the free lessons available, in fact had not had any lessons at all, and because of this there will be a new system for 2009 whereby players must have at least five lessons in a five to eight month period, to qualify for support.

The Warwickshire Golf Partnership will be promoting and funding coaching for the beginner to below County level.

Praise was given to all the team involved in the management of County golf, including mention of the Junior Order of Merit.

John also brought up the subject of slow play, which can be caused by lack of knowledge of the Rules of the game, and clubs were encouraged to source the free rules books available from the R&A. He also talked about Golfmark, and the help that players should seek for both fitness and the mental side of the game.

He finished by asking organisers and parents to encourage Juniors to take responsibility for setting their own goals, and setting of them, and then managing how they try to achieve them.

Dick Ferry then spoke about the Winter Coaching, which he has had to give up, and was thanked personally by President John Duncombe for all his endeavours for so many years.

John Simpson was the next speaker, detailing how he has taken over running the Warwickshire Schools from David Morgan, David working with John for at least the next couple of years.

John (Simpson) asked all delegates to encourage as many players as possible to enter to play for the gross, nett and team championships which are both won on the day itself (14th April at Ingon Manor) and then at Midland and England level.

David Morgan then spoke on the changes to the JOM for 2008, notably that club points will now be allocated in the form a club decides and in a simpler form. For full details of these changes CLICK HERE

Terry Smith then spoke of the success of the new Warwickshire Junior League, won by Shirley in a very close final. The League may be augmented in 2010 with the addition of a third 'zone'

Past President John Stubbings, now Chairman of the new Warwickshire County Golf Partnership, made a short presentation of how the partnership will be looking to spend ?50K of grants from Sport England, starting with a County Golf month this April, which ahs attracted interest from clubs across the County to give 'taster' sessions for anyone interested.

John (Stubbings) detailed how the Partnership will be purchasing over ?5 000 of golf clubs for new participants..

In the AOB for the meeting, subjects were discussed that include use of measuring devices (to be confirmed).

The meeting closed with a vote of thanks from President John Duncombe, notably to Copt Heath Golf Club for their ever present hospitality.