Active/Inactive Handicaps
Hopefully your Ladies will have submitted their THREE qualifying scores in 2009 to retain an Active Handicap.  Players who have not done so, will be required to submit a further THREE qualifying cards in 2010 before the Inactive Status is removed (it is not possible to ‘top up’).  Supplementary Cards and 9-hole Competition Cards will count.
It is hoped that Clubs will make it a Condition of their Opens, that only players with an Active Handicap may take part.  Anyone who arrives on the day with an Inactive Handicap, could be permitted to play and mark a card, but not win a prize.  Therefore, for Bowmakers or 4BBBs, it should be the responsibility of each member of the team to ensure that they have Active Handicaps.
Central Database for Handicaps
As from January 2010, it is expected that all Clubs will have registered with the CDH.  All software will automatically interface to the Central Database and your Home Players’ handicap records will be uploaded.
The information will be available to Clubs, Club Members, County, & EWGA/EGU with obvious benefits for verification of handicaps when hosting Open Competitions etc.  I am assured by EWGA that the information available will be the Player’s Club and Handicap information only - as it is at present with Howdidido.
Memo from EWGA re: Trolley Pullers
The Rules of Golf do not contemplate a Trolley Puller, anyone carrying or pulling a trolley is a caddie.  To limit the actions of a caddie, for example by preventing them going onto the green, or attending the flag, is a modification of Rule 6-4.
The Conditions of Competition may prohibit caddies altogether, or may restrict who may act as a caddie, but they cannot otherwise limit the activities of a caddie.