It is my privilege on behalf of the English Golf Union (EGU) to welcome all Teams and Officials to Hillside Golf Club for the 2009 Home Internationals.

As a Lancastrian, it is particularly pleasing for me that the competition is being held on one of the finest courses in Lancashire. The Raymond Trophy was last competed for at Hillside in 1977 and I know we will be presented with a well prepared and challenging course for this year’s competition and our thanks are due to The Captain, David Dixon and Members for hosting the event.

I would like to thank Ray Saunders, Chairman of The English Golf Union Championship Committee, John Walker and his Championship Department and the Officials of Hillside Golf Club for all their efforts in preparing for the competition.

Let us hope for good weather and an exciting competition.

Mr Norman Forrest, EGU President