Hi everyone,

Happy New Year! I hope you all had as nice a Christmas and new year as I did.

Well our trip to Edinburgh was amazing. We took the opportunity to try some of the best experiences, and we weren't disappointed. We sampled wee drams at Pencaitland, Auchentoshan on The Royal Mile, visited Rosslyn Chapel (where the Da Vinci code was filmed), walked through the tranquillity of Greyfriars and up the hill to the monuments on Calton Hill, and got spooked in the Blair Street Vaults under the city of Edinburgh. Absolutely awesome! I don't think I could ever tire of that city, so same time next year!

Thanks so much to Santa Bell for a great Xmas party, what a treat! I am alarmed that my husband wore my tights (and the bugger looked better in them than me) and played Paul the Elf but a great day was had by all!

Now back to business! New Year's Day saw the cocktail party with a difference as it was also the captains' drive ins. Well done to Geoff and Rose, have a great year of captaincy.

It was also the professional's Christmas draw and the lucky winners are as follows:

1st prize - G30 Driver with free custom fit - WINNER John Bastable
Second 1st Prize - Scotty Cameron putter - WINNER Mike Clew
2nd prize - G30 fairway with free custom fit - WINNER Peter Silva
3rd prize - G30 hybrid with free custom fit - WINNER Liz Hale
4th prize - PowaKaddy twinline push trolley - WINNER Andrew Smith
5th prize - TaylorMade cart bag - WINNER Ian Rolling
6th prize - Vancouver Jacket with 3 year guarantee - WINNER Sarah Cheetham
7th prize - Glenmuir boxed sweater - WINNER Robert Dooley
8th prize - Travel cover - WINNER David Battrick

Congratulations to all our winners, commiserations to those who were unlucky this time. Big thanks to Ladies' Captain Rose for doing the draw for us.

I have been busy at the end of last year, trying to organise another Get Into Golf day as part of my contractual obligation to GGU. We are in talks with Crown Glass shopping centre in Nailsea, with a view to carrying out our next get into golf day amidst the Saturday shoppers there in March. Hopefully a permit will soon be on its way! It is always a great experience meeting local people and getting them involved with what we do, but sadly on that occasion I will be sitting out whilst I allow all of my staff to go and coach. They will have to be big boys and do it themselves, as it's better to have all staff coaching than me chatting! It's also important for them to learn how to set up and do it alone, as I won't be there to hold their hand forever!

I have also been selected to apply for Golf Hero of the Year by the Golf Foundation, because of the work we do with disabled children and adults. I have a meeting next week with county development officer Debbie Casling and Golf Foundation regional officer Martin Crowder to put my application forward. I won't win as I am sure there are lots of really good people doing amazing work, but I am very flattered to be asked by the golf foundation to apply and be considered for it, I don't do it for recognition, I do it for the kids (I think this may be a song...?!).

Talking of disabled golf, we run three more sessions at Kingsweston special school in January, our own sessions start in April and then we take on a 6 week stretch at Belgrave School. We have also been asked to provide sessions at Baytree special school in Weston and New Siblands Special school in Gloucester. Can't wait!

We also heard that Annette Murfin had some good news. She won two nights' golf and accommodation in Portugal when she won the England Golf draw. Wow! Congratulations Annette, great news.

Luke has now been fully elected to membership of the PGA, but you will see less of him whilst he tries to establish a coaching base. He will be in the shop working with me for two days only every week so that he can coach and take time to improve himself by attending courses for CPD points. This is a natural progression towards becoming a coach and possible future head pro somewhere, which Luke is potentially aiming for some time in the future. I wish him well for the future and hope in time he finds a suitable position for his talents when he feels ready to fly the academy nest!

So I've let my mouth run away with me again, that's what happens when I have 3 weeks off writing! I will cease and desist for now and sign off, more on what's planned for 2015 in the Paul Mitchell Golf Academy next week.

Byesy byes for now,

Caren, Paul, Andy, Kris and Luke