1. Our 15th season started in great style at Effingham with 53 players. The weather was kind as, despite the strength of the wind, the rain stayed away and the temperatures were quite reasonable for February. The course had been closed the day before due to fog so I’m relieved we got the show on the road!
2. The star of the show was undoubtedly Alan Wardrop who played magnificently in scoring 45 points, the highest BAGS day event score since  Robin Sewell’s 46 at Mannings Heath in March 2005. Though Alan has had his share of BAGS spoils over the years (Treasurer’s in 1997, Secretary’s on the Lancashire Tour in 1998 and Pairs KO winner in 1999), his sole previous day victory was in the heat of Pyrford in August 1997 when he won over 36 holes. BAGS events these days are not frequently won with a 40+ score so a mid 40s result (with one blob!) off 12 is a terrific result. Well played Alan and your margin of victory of 6 points over Jon ensured that your handicap cut would be deep and so it was – 2 shots to 9.5 - though your Pairs partner might have something to say about that!
3. Jon’s consolation was that he won the Captain’s Bowl with a net 68 (gross 79) shots by a shot from Andy Harper. This will go nicely on the shelf with the Tour Cup from Ireland from last September.
4. The AGM confirmed Hedley as the new skipper and, generously supported by Legal & General, he issues a Captain's Challenge which will run right through his year of office. L&G have agreed to donate £5 (subject to a maximum of £500) to our Marsden fund for every birdie 2 scored in any of the Individual Stableford competitions (12 in all including the September Tour) during Hedley’s Captaincy. So not only will you gain a share of the day’s pot if you are successful but you will be helping the Marsden. Full marks to Hedley for a bold initiative and our thanks to L&G for their continued support of our Charity efforts. 
5. Steve and John are the new KO Competitions' organisers and the initial draw for the three competitions will take place later this week. If you still wish to enter, you need to e mail Steve by Monday 25th latest. Our grateful thanks go to Alan who has fulfilled this role for the last 7 years.       
6. Our Annual Dinner at Tyrrells was enjoyed by the 70 guests and we are already planning the menus for next year’s event which will be held on Saturday 17th January 2009.
7. The day event programme for next year was unveiled at the AGM and the dates will be confirmed to you within the next two weeks. The general feeling at the meeting was that your Committee continue to offer venues which represent good value for money at £65 per time. Subject to an imminent fact finding trip and Committee approval, South Wales will be the venue for our 2009 tour as it appears to offer stunning courses at reasonable prices.
8. In presenting the 2007 Accounts, John confirmed that as there is a                     greater surplus than predicted, the St George’s 15th anniversary event will be charged at £65 not the originally planned £80. The subsidy therefore will be close to £40 per man. We intend also to produce a commemorative programme which will contain an ‘Honours Board’, listing the top three at each event since BAGS began. Roy will also produce a Sony type Order of Merit allocating points for successes in our various competitions.
9. Our best wishes for a speedy recovery go to David Jackson who today has undergone open heart surgery and will miss our next few golf events though we hope to see him at one of our dinners.

 B.A.G.S. STABLEFORD COMPETITION RESULT 18 HOLES

Effingham - 21st January 2008 - COMPETITION SCRATCH SCORE = 35

Captains Bowl result

B.A.G.S. HANDICAP SUMMARY

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