As announced at Sunday's AGM, I am delighted to once again take up the role of club captain for 2026. This may come as a surprise to many of you as Heather's vice captain Ruby was due to take up the reigns next year. However, with a planned move away from the area and a new job, she realised she wouldn't be able to give it the focus and attention it deserves. Having been captain in 2023, I felt able to step in at short notice and work with Ruby's chosen vice captain Nick Simmonds during the next 12 months to help prepare Nick for captaincy in 2027.

In terms of plans for 2026, I will continue to support Alexander Device Children's Hospice, along with something close to my heart, Cure Parkinson's. I will be revealing a new "Beat the Captain/Guest" season long competition, but other than that I am not envisaging too many changes as the formula we now have seems to work well.

In terms of immediate next steps, the Winter Eclectic has started. Entry fee is £5 and you can submit up to ten 18 hole rounds (or 9 hole combos) during the winter season (up until the date of the first Medal for 2026). After completing each round send a picture with it clearly dated and signed to competitionschair.ecgc@gmail.com and it will be added to your Eclectic record in ClubV1. If you'd like to enter, please email me or DM me on Whatsapp and I will add your name to the competition. Feel free to pay the money directly, or put it in an envelope with your name and place it in the Captain's charity box in the clubhouse.

Subject to the rain letting up, we hope to run our first winter scramble on Sunday November 23rd, still some places on ClubV1.

Looking forward to another year of golfing and fun!

Many thanks

Richard
Club Captain & Competition Chair.