A  REVIEW  OF  THE  YEAR
By out-going Captain – Phil Birtwistle.

         Maybe not the correct title for this short review as my one claim to fame is that I’m the only SMGS Captain who’s not served for the full twelve months. The Captaincy has always been from 1st January to 31st December but the committee decided last year to alter the twelve month reign to start on 1st October so as it would coincide with the Captain’s day golf tournament and following dinner which have traditionally, due to better weather prospects, always been at the end of September. Therefore my nine month stint could be likened more to a pregnancy, certainly as far as stress levels go but not, I hasten to add, as far as waist expansion goes….though my better half may beg to differ.

         Many messages of thanks are certainly due from me to my fellow committee members for their help and support, to the officials at all the courses we’ve played, to all sponsors and members and, not least of all, to my wife, Marg’, whose loyalty and dedication to SMGS dates back many years. A good luck message and my best wishes go to Brian Hellier-Woods as he now takes over as Captain.

         As a fairly regular member of our Winter league team for the last few years it came as a bitter disappointment to see our society relegated from the “A” division to the “B” in 2007. In May this year when last season concluded, under the League Captaincy of Joe Dean, all involved were proud and delighted to be one of the two teams promoted to the “A” division. We now feel as though we’re back where we belong and this season’s mission, which starts this month, is to get our hands back on the winner’s trophy……it’s been too many years. That task will be left to Alan Rixson and I who are jointly looking after the league team this season as Joe couldn’t be persuaded to devote the time and effort needed due to other pressing commitments.

         I think in general terms it’s been a good golfing year for the society with our regular low handicappers playing very steadily which I can only see as a positive sign for our league challenge. Attendances at the weekly meetings have been good and steady even though the miserable exchange rate and the present volatile financial climate have had an adverse effect on all our pockets. To end my term as Captain with well over sixty members playing on Captain’s Day at El Plantio was very gratifying and they in turn showed their gratitude for the gorgeous food and refreshments Marg’ had provided for half way round. It was a great day and my sincere thanks go to all who helped make it so enjoyable.

         Captain’s Night Dinner, held at “Greenlands” on the 4th October, was a fitting close to my reign when eighty or so of us enjoyed a superb meal provided by Tracey and her team. A full report with pictures appears elsewhere on the website. Once again, my thanks go to all concerned and the very best of luck for a successful year to Captain Brian.

Happy Golfing, see you on the fairways…..or in the rough!!            Phil B.