And that is how I see the County Cricketers Golfing Society – another important branch of that family. People who I shared a changing room with back in the day are now people I share a drink with at the 19th hole. People who were once deadly opponents are now golfing mates. Some were already seasoned pros when I started out. Others were the new kids on the block when I finished. And, of course, some were still years away from their county debuts. But age does not matter one bit in our Society. When we get together, we share the bond that is cricket and I think that is very special.

 

On top of that, we get to play on some of the finest golf courses in the country, hosted by some of the best people you can ever meet! There are few, if any, golf societies in the UK that have a fixture list as magnificent as ours. Not only are the courses great, but so are the people who welcome us to them. And welcome us they do, willingly, warmly and generously. That is not to say that they don’t want to beat us on the course. They do! And in return, we want to beat them. But when the hands have been shaken, it really does not matter who has won and who has lost. We sit down together, usually over a superb lunch or dinner, we talk, we laugh and we go home knowing that it has been a day or a weekend very well-spent!

 

Without the clubs who invite us to play each year, our Society would not exist as it does. I am hugely grateful to them all for continuing to entertain us. Golf is an expensive sport, particularly if you want to play at the best clubs, and we all have to accept that fact. Such is the camaraderie that exists between us and our hosts, developed over 90 years, I do not believe that the County Cricketers Golfing Society is treated as a ‘just another society’. We are very lucky.

 

As Captain for this important year, I have a number of ambitions:

 

1. I would like more current and recent cricketers to join us and experience the unique atmosphere of a County Cricketers Golfing Society match or two.

2. I would like to strengthen further our fantastic relationships with our host clubs and their fantastic members.

3. I would like to catch up with old mates and make new ones.

4. I would like to finish my year as Captain knowing that the Society is an even stronger position than it is now (and it is already in a great place!).

5. Above all, I would like us all (our members and friends) to have fun!

 

That’s not much to ask.

 

If you are a man who is, or has been, a first-class cricketer or played a List A match for one of the 18 first-class counties, or a woman who has played international cricket or has a professional contract, but are not yet a member, have a look around the website. Learn about the Society’s history and, above all, look at our fixture list. And don’t be shy. All you need to do to join, is complete the online application form and we will be in touch. You can also contact a Match Manager simply by clicking on the link and sending them an email.

 

There is a modest annual subscription to pay but I can promise you that it represents fantastic value for money. Most importantly, you will become one of us, a part of cricket’s finest golf society. I hope to see you over the year ahead!

 

Mike