AGM 2026

Our 2026 AGM took place Saturday January 10th 2026 at The Red Lion Public House.

Attendees: Peter Shaw, Gez Newsome, Andy Whittaker, Chris Shaw, Anthony Harding, Steve Whiston  Start: 18:30 Finish 23.30 (5 Hrs)

Financials

  • Financial statement and spending analysis was presented by Pete and concurred by all committee members.

  • After 21 years of keeping subscriptions at £25, we will be increasing the annual fee by £15 to £40 from the 2026 season. This is to help cover higher prize money over the past five years and the rising cost of match-day prizes.

Handicap Review

  • The handicap calculation will change from using the best 5 of your last 13 rounds to the best 4 of your last 10 rounds. This update has been introduced to ensure your WHS handicap is as current as possible and aligns with the 10 seasonal events we play. Some initial upward or downward movement may occur during the first few events, but this should soon stabilise and better reflect your current form rather than performances from up to 18 months ago—consistent with the core philosophy of the WHS handicap system. Note: This change did not affect your current handicap prior to the adjustments below, as the software had already applied the appropriate corrections to each previously played round.

  • The maximum playing handicap for all match days will be capped at 40.

  • If a player scores 40 to 43 points on a match day, an extra handicap reduction of 1.0 will be applied.

  • If a player scores more than 44 points or more on a match day, an additional handicap reduction of 2.0 will be applied. This threshold has been increased from 41, as the previous level was considered too harsh and led to handicap reductions over the past year that some players found difficult to recover from.

  • In line with the new GB&I Playing Handicap Allowances rule, we have decided to reduce our allowance from 95% to 90% for each golf day. This change is intended to address concerns from low-handicap players and to create more equitable events, improving overall fairness and competition. The change to be reviewed at the AGM in 2027.

          The committee conducted a detailed review of all handicaps and made the following adjustments:

  • Gez Newsome reduced by 0.2 to 12.9

  • Anthony Harding increased by 0.3 to 13.0

  • Paul Newsome no change (13.0)

  • Dave Thompson increased by 0.6 to 13.0

  • Jack Davis increased by 1.3 to 13.8 Up from Division 2

  • Pete Barry increased by 0.3 to 15.0

  • Dave Wiggett no change (15.3) Up from Division 2

  • Chris Shaw no change (16.6)

  • Sean Wynne no change (18.2) Up from Division 2

  • Steve Whiston reduced by 0.1 to 18.4

  • Kirk Taylor increased by 0.4 to 18.4

  • Craig Whatsize no change (18.4)

          Division 2

  • Martin Shaw reduced by 1.2 to 19.0 New to the Society

  • Howard Forrester reduced by 0.4 to 19.0 Up from Division 3

  • Mark Beswick reduced by 0.6 to 19.0 Down from Division 1

  • Mark Nicholson reduced by 0.7 to 19.0

  • Peter Shaw no change (19.3)

  • Karl Blattner increased by 0.7 to 19.5

  • John Timson no change (20.3)

  • Jim Cunningham no change (20.3)

  • Jamie Agnew no change (20.3) Down from Division 1

  • Rob Tonks reduced by 2.2 to 21.0 New to the Society

  • Kevin Ferry reduced by 2.4 to 21.5 Up from Division 3

  • Stephen Bentley no change (21.7)

          Division 3

  • Martin Fooks no change (22.5) Down from Division 2

  • Andy Whittaker increased by 0.7 to 24.5

  • Anthony Wale reduced by 1.5 to 25.0

  • Jason Carroll no change (25.8)

  • Peter Weston no change (26.0) Down from Division 2

  • James Little no change (26.7)

  • Rob Ward increased by 0.9 to 27.0

  • Jeff Winters reduced by 1.0 to 27.5

  • Stuart Andrews no change (28) New to the Society

  • Ian Hammond no change (28.9)

  • Steve Price no change (30.3) New to the Society

  • John Howard reduced by 3.7 to 40.0

Leagues & Competitions

  • Division 1 (12 players)

  • Division 2 (12 players)

  • Division 3 (12 players)

  • All draws complete for knockouts, pairs & committee shield (See website for full details)

  • Par 3 Championship to be the best 8 from 10 match day scores. Divisional (7 from 10) & Grand Prix (8 from 10) to remain.

Tours

  • UK tour to Wales all booked (34 golfers)

  • Foreign tour to Majorca all booked (28 golfers)

  • See website for full details

Society Documents

  • Changes made to the constitution, see website for full details or click here for quick view.

AOB

  • Reviewed updates to rules of golf

  • Monday Club dates added to website

  • Only full members can win the tour trophy & prize money.

  • Handicap adjustments for associate members or guests can be made on tour weekends, a minimum of 10 events must be played in society match days. At the discretion of committee members.

  • Handicap configuration changes for players with less than 10 events have been made in the software.