I do feel justified in calling this my New Year Message as we are still in the month of January but somewhat belatedly, hope that you all enjoyed a wonderful and peaceful Christmas.

I have been reliably informed by Santa that he delivered many new sets of golf clubs, trolleys, fleeces, hats, gloves etc to the Warwickshire area and I hope that they have already made outings onto golf courses and over the next few months will be playing a part in reducing all your handicaps – or at the very least helping you look stylish and confident on the course!

The county committee have been hard at work on your behalf since the AGM, at which we were delighted to see so many of you. Please remind all your friends that the AGM is not just for the Captain or your committee but also for all of your club members. Not only did those present hear about our successes this year, and our plans for the future but also had an opportunity to view all the beautiful trophies we can all play for annually, including those we won last year as a county. We were also able to browse through books and files of Warwickshire’s past which are now stored throughout the year in the archives in Warwick for safekeeping. We also ran a raffle so many went home with plants and bottles of wine as early Christmas presents!

December has been a busy time for many of the committee as it is ‘Booklet Production Month’! Dottie Beanland, our newly appointed Honorary Secretary has taken to this task like a ‘duck to water’ and the entire process could not have run more smoothly! We are delighted to announce that we have some new sponsors on board but are again extremely grateful to have the continued support of some old favourites.

Rover have been loyal and extremely generous sponsors of Warwickshire Ladies for three years and we are delighted to have them yet again advertising in our booklet. Their contribution has been second to none and there is no doubt that their donation to support training and coaching of the 1st team contributed to our success last year. We were able to provide more coaching than ever with Andy Dunbar at Stratford Oaks and supply the team with additional kit and clothing so that not only did the girls play well but they looked good, felt confident, supported and very much part of a team.

Rudell, the Jewellers, with shops in Harborne and Wolverhampton are again kindly providing the prizes at the Veronica Anstey Trophy and the Rene Greey Past Captains Trophy in 2005. They would be pleased to see any of us at any time and have some gorgeous jewellery, glassware and very individual golfing gifts for sale.

Robin Hood Golf Centre, in Hall Green,has again supported us with their fantastic offer of 25% off all Ladies clothing! They are always very welcoming and have a superb selection of clothing available. Do remember to take your booklet along to receive the benefit of their very special offer and this offer applies every time you visit!

Kath Ashley, physiotherapist to the 1st team is again supporting her county as well as the team and should you feel a reference is required prior to a visit, just ask those team members whom she so ably ensured were fit and supple on the tee, morning and afternoon last year!

Titleist has been a staunch supporter of Warwickshire Ladies by supplying us with cost price golf balls to use in our Ball Sweeps throughout the season. I believe we all recognise a top class golf ball and have been happy to buy tickets in the hope we might win one but their involvement has also meant that we were able to raise £553.72 for the junior girls last year. Thank you all so much for enthusiastically buying tickets at all our events.

Roy Mawditt, from Edgbaston Golf Club is again very generously supporting the 1st team with coaching at The Belfry. We so enjoyed the experience last year and are very grateful to him for giving us this opportunity.

I am delighted to welcome some new names this year.

Lyle & Scott with their stylish range of golf clothing and accessories will be donating all the prizes this year at our prestigious and popular Summer Meeting. We are hoping they might have much of their range available for viewing and as they already supply to the Forest of Arden Golf Club, come armed with your chequebooks! You can always go home, show your husbands a gorgeous sweater and tell him you won it!

Mark Youds runs a Computer Consultancy and we are so very grateful for his support. Look out for his page in the booklet together with our new printers, Sudak Printers in Kenilworth. We have formed a new partnership with them this year and are pleased to have their backing.

Rydale Central is especially welcomed by the Warwickshire Ladies this year. We are very pleased to have the extremely generous support of this flagship BMW and MINI dealership located close to Birmingham city centre. Rydale Central will be present at the County Championship in May at Edgbaston Golf Club as they are sponsoring this event and we hope to be able to bring you details of new cars in the range and to display some of them on the forecourt. On this occasion bring your husbands with their chequebooks!

Shortly after the Liaison Officers meeting on 10th February 2005, you should receive your booklet, so please sit down with a coffee or a glass of wine and have a good look at it. There is much of interest to golfers good, not quite so good, young and old. Not only does it give details of all the competitions you can enter along with entry forms but includes dates of the 1st team, 2nd team and junior matches at which we should love to have your support. I am sure you all promised me that you’d go to at least one junior event last year and I know I promised you that you would be amazed! So if you couldn’t manage it last year, then go on – take the plunge and prepare to be very, very surprised at the talent emerging. The booklet is also packed with articles, which your committee hopes you will appreciate and find very helpful.

All the Warwickshire competition dates and venues are arranged for this year and yet again we have found some wonderful courses for you to enjoy. I know our loyal band of enthusiasts will be entering as usual, but perhaps you, together with those who supported their county for many years but are now struggling to play 18 holes could each try to persuade just one person to come along for the first time, then we really could make the events competitive but at the same time a happy, sociable day out.

I am pleased to report that all coaching and practice matches for the Warwickshire squad are in place for 2005 and almost everyone is available for every match throughout the winter and early spring. I am not surprised – their enthusiasm and commitment were a major factor in our success last year and I know that they can’t wait to get started again! I have been referring to ‘Probables’ and ‘Possibles’ over the winter as there are new girls very close to making all of the teams and because of this, I feel that the County Championship is going to be hard fought this year and has all the makings of a wonderful spectacle! 3rd – 5th May at Edgbaston Golf Club – please come along for at least one of the final two days, you will be treated to some brilliant golf and can enjoy superb views and catering at the same time.

I am feeling just as privileged to be your Captain as I was this time last year and I think you know by now how proud I am of the 1st team! I am especially pleased that I am able to continue with Bev Belcher as 2nd team Captain as I feel together we have made such progress in integrating both our teams and providing the opportunity for more wonderful talent to come through.

Just before I end, might I ask those ladies who are still reading and I hope have enjoyed sharing my new year thoughts, please print this page off and pin it up on the notice board at your club. I do know that there are many ladies who do not have access to a computer but might enjoy reading a little about their county over that hard-earned cup of coffee!

I am very much looking forward to meeting many of you again or for the first time this year, as I visit different clubs within Warwickshire, so please do come and say ‘hello’! Until then I should like to wish every one of you a very happy 2005 filled with many moments of joy and good fortune both on and off the golf course.