Newly elected committee members feature strongly on the recently announced sub-committees for 2005.

One of the key roles. Chair of Golf, which in accordance with the new Club Rules will now oversee both Men's and Ladies' golf, is to be undertaken by former Captain of Ladies, Rowena Hemmings who was elected to the Committee for the first time in December. Rowena will be joined George Copley, Gerri Warnes, and Anita Healy, who were also elected first timers on the Committee, together with Jas Arora, who is stalling his second term on the Committee.

A second key role, Chair of Greens, is to be undertaken by Alan Pountney who was also elected for the first time in December, Alan, who spent much of his early life in southern Africa, has represented both Transvaal and Rhodesia at golf.

Anita Healy takes over the House Committee together with Kevin O'Donnell and Hon Treasurer Lionel Cooper. They are joined, as co-opted members, by franchise caterer Tim McCrea, and Bar Manager Gill Herring.

Gerri Warnes, returns to the scene of a former triumph to undertake the Chair of Juniors. Gerri assisted her husband Howard Warnes, who chaired Junior Golf in 1998/9, and was instrumental in running a very successful Junior section, but attracting girls to take up golf at the Club. Let's hope she can work her magic again!

In the absence of a construction professional on the Committee, the Chair of Premises is to be held by Hon Treasurer, Lionel Cooper. He will be assisted by co-opted member Andrew Ralph who narrowly failed to be elected to the Committee in December having looked after the Club's premises as a co-opted member of the sub-committee in 2004.

The Membership Sub-Committee will be chaired by Club Captain, Peter Robinson, assisted by Vice-Captain, Ken Hannah, Captain of the Ladies' section Anita Healy, and Gail Ralph.

The Nominations Committee will continue to be chaired by Club President, Roger Barnes, and will be joined as usual by the Captain and Vice-Captain. They will be assisted by Alan Lambert and Gill Cooper who both were elected to the Sub-Committee under the new Club Rules in December. The Finance and Resources Sub-Committee will continue to be chaired by Club Chairman, Ken Brown who will be joined, as usual, by the Captain, Vice-Captain, and Hon Treasurer, and by co-opted members Doug Nelson and Jonathan Hoffman.

Ronnie Samuels writes:
The annual seniors match against Royal Lytham and St Anne's Golf Club took place towards the end of August 2004 in St Anne's and was its usual success. The format was two rounds of fourballs, one on the first afternoon, which was followed by dinner at the Club, and the second the next morning. The overall result was a win for Royal Lytham as normal when we go to that celebrated Open Championship, but very difficult, course.

A letter was sent from Porters Park expressing our thanks for their hospitality, and inviting them to Radlett for the 2005 match. This will take place on the afternoon of Tuesday 30 August, and the morning of Wednesday 31 August 2005.

Members are reminded that the Club Diary for 2005 is available for collection from the Lounge. As usual the diary contains details of all scheduled golf and social events in the coming year, together with a full list of members with their telephone numbers. Who can manage without it!

Steve Gingell, the turf and grass agronomist from the Sports Turf Research Institute, gave a glowing report on Porters Park Golf Club following his visit in December. He wrote that the greens were in very good condition, and possibly some of the best surfaces that he has seen at that time of year. He also said that the fairways had recovered well following the two overseedings and recent scarification. He concluded that it was pleasing to see how the course had developed in the period since he started his inspections.

Ronnie Samuels writes:
Following the success of the match last year, this venerable fixture is now in the Club Diary, and will take place on the afternoon of Saturday 7 May 2005. After the match there will be the usual dinner at the Club to which all participants will be asked to bring a guest, whether it be their wife, partner, or another member of the Club.

A list will be placed in the Palm Court at a later date for those wishing to play but, in the meantime, any members claiming a Lancashire or Yorkshire birthplace, or even antecedents, and who may be interested in this game please contact me, Ronnie Samuels (for Lancashire) on 01923-852871 (samuels@beeb.net ), or Martin Kaye (for Yorkshire) on 01727-864525 (martinkaye@hotmail.com )

In any case put this date in your diary!

Alan Poutney has recently unearthed a silver cigarette box at a Bonham's auction in Ipswich. It is dated 1926 and is engraved with the PPGC crest, "For The Best 18 Holes', and the name A. Forbes Ilsley. Does any member have a recollection of such a trophy? To view the box please contact Peter Marshall.

Kestral Golf and Sports have now completed all work on greenside bunker renovations, but will be returning in late March to remove all wooden edging, re-shape banks, and top up sand where required. Apart from some drainage work, which is being carried out in-house, bunker work ts now complete.

Work on upgrading the drainage of some greens has now started and should be finished by mid February. Temporary greens will be in play at the 12th 15th and 17th whilst work is in progress. All greens will be back in play in March.

Once drainage work on the greens is complete the staff will be back to doing much needed aeration work and tree and scrub clearance.

Following the Resolution passed at the Club AGM in December 2004, the task of assigning members from the waiting list to take up the newly created vacancies in the weekend playing categories has now been completed. This means that almost 40+ vacancies now exist in the 6-day category, so if you have friends and/or family who wish to join Porters Park, immediate restricted weekend membership is available, subject to qualifying to a qualifying handicap.

The 2005 Captain of the Commando section announced at the Annual Dinner on 11 January is ever-popular Commando, Peter Johns. In his valedictory speech to an audience of about 70 Commandos, the outgoing Captain, Dr David Findlay reminded those present that the Commandos, which are defined in the dictionary as 'an irregular company of men engaged in an unspecified enterprise', had been hi existence for 25 years. The first match was against Sandy Lodge, and in recognition of this anniversary match manager Dick Bamford presented the Captain of Sandy Lodge WAGS with a engraved wooden gavel turned by Club Chairman Ken Brown.

David went on to remind those present that initially membership of the section was somewhat restricted, and it was only in the last few years that it was opened to all men members of Porters Park over the age the age of 60. He reported that the number of members in the section currently stood at about 180 making it the biggest single special interest section in the Club. Commandos did not see themselves as being other than ordinary members of the Club who have a common interest in playing golf.

Some 75 Commandos were able to play in one or more of the 15 home and 15 away fixtures against other Clubs in the area with 11 wins, 4 draws, and 15 losses. Sadly, the two traditional fixtures against the Ladies section had to be reduced to just one match because of bad weather. Other activities included the provision of starters and ball-spotters for various Ladies' matches and for the KGV.

During the prize giving that followed the Dinner the Barrett Salver was presented to Club President, Roger Barnes; the John van Gelder over 70's Cup was presented to Michael Wilson; the Reg Radcliffe Winter Foursomes Trophy was presented to Ron Culnane and Norman Sagar; and the Tony Randall Summer Foursomes Trophy was presented to Bill Gelson and Robin Leach.

The Club's much loved New Year's Eve Party, which has not been held for some years, has been successfully restored in the Club's calendar thanks to the determination of Social Chairman, Kevin O'Donnell, and his team.

Following a great seafood spread and other buffet options prepared by franchise caterer Tim McCrae, the versatile group 'Confusion1 led by Chris Bramwell and including Club favourites John May and Kevin O'Donnell with Dave Brown and Andrew Ashford provided an entertaining cabaret before launching everybody onto the dance floor with some traditional favourites.

The New Year was welcomed in traditional fashion with Auld Lang Syne after which dancing continued to lively disco music well into the small hours. An impromptu whip-round raised a very creditable £500 donated to the South East Asian Tsunami Appeal.

Earlier the St Peter's Church Choir from St Albans, conducted by Nick Robinson, led the traditional carols al the Club's Candlelit Carol Supper on Friday 17 December .The most memorable feature, however, was John Keeley's table booming '5 Gold Rings' during the traditional rousing rendition of the '12 Days of Christmas'. Club Captain, Peter Robinson, writes:
I would like to congratulate the Social Committee, Kevin O'Donnell, Linda Lambert, Diane Jeens and Malcolm Field, on the success of both the Club's events over Christmas and New Year, especially New Year's Eve which I know required a massive amount of organisation.

Special thanks, particularly, to Linda and her team of waitresses for all the preparatory work during the afternoon, and their help in the evening. Last, but by no least, a big thank to Gill, John and the entire bar staff for lubricating the evening so well.

Future social events
Scots Night on Friday 28 January to celebrate the birth of the Scottish bard, Rabble Burns, with a traditional piper, haggis, whisky, and Scottish dancing
James Bond Evening on Friday 18 February. Dress optional but do come as your favourite Bond character and try to win the look-a-like contest. Complimentary 'Aussie' Dom Perignon.
Italian Night /New Members Dinner on Friday 4 March. * This is an addition to the Club Diary*
Square Dance on Friday 18 March. Check shirts and jeans allowed) See notice boards for more details, and remember - book early!

David Jubb who won the Men's December Stableford with 39 points from Sandy McCallum with 38 points

Anita Prosser who won the Ladies' December Stableford silver division (39 points) from Judy Williams (34 points). Jenny Gelson won the bronze division (38 points) from Hilary Dennes (34 points).

Judy Williams who won the '5 Clubs and a Putter1 competition (39 points) from Linda Lambert (35 points). Julia Ladds won the bronze division (35 points from Hilary Dennes (34 points)

Ian Lovatt who won the New Year Running Stableford Div 1 with 38 points and Marc Simmonds who won Div 2 with 36 points.

Sally McAllister who won ihe Ladies' January Stableford silver division from Linda Lambert (both with 35 points). Madeleine Olausson won the bronze division (38 points) from Gillian Edmonds (37 points)

Charles Randall who won the Men's January Mid-week Stableford with 35 points

Derek Ray who won the Men's January Stablcford Div 1 with 39 points and Martin Jeens who won Div 2 with 33 points.