AGW – 2024 Annual Dinner – Royal Troon | Association of Golf Writers

The annual dinner of the Association of Golf Writers was held on the night of Tuesday 16th July, 2024 within the Scorers Pavilion at Royal Troon.

It was a first annual dinner within the Scorers Pavilion and this after many years with the dinner having been hosted in the Links Pavilion and with guests unanimous in agreeing the move resulting in one of the better AGW annual dinners for some time. This very much due to a smaller and more comfortable venue than compare with the expanse of the Links Pavilion where much of the room was vacant, presenting a less intimate feel.

Some 220, including AGW members and our guests, attended the dinner and again hosted by the AGWs own Iain Carter, and the AGW again enormously indebted to our former Chairman for his brilliant manner in hosting the dinner and this no moreso evident than his interview with Henrik Stenson. Please to be sure to scroll further down to click on the video link of Iain’s interview with Henrik.

And in expressing our thanks the AGW is very much indebted to our supporters – R & A, HeroMotoCorp, European Tour Group, Falcon and Associates, GMS (Golf Marketing Survey), Callaway Golf, Northern Ireland Tourism, HowDidIDo.com, GEO Foundation, Juinper Sport and ERevoltution.

As well, the AGW is grateful to Steve Sanson at Bezant Ltd and to dear friend Dave Cannon for his continued and valued support.

The formal part of the evening commenced with Luke Donald accepting the 2023 AGW Golf Writers trophy on behalf of his victorious European Ryder Cup team. Presenting the award to Luke was AGW Chairman Phil Reid and in a first presentation for Phil in his 12 months as Chairman.

Scottish golfer Paul Lawrie was honoured for his work with the Paul Lawrie Foundation with the Michael Williams Services to Golf award and with Roddy Williams, son of our late and dear colleague, again present to hand over the award. Unfortunately, Paul was tied-up with Foundation matters and it was former AGW Chairman, Martin Dempster accepting the award in the absence of Paul

This year’s award of the Arnold Palmer Open award for his strong, long-time relationship with the media was Henrik Stenson and with the champion Swedish golfer, who captured the 2016 Open Championship at Royal Troon, delighted to accept the award.

Phil Reid presented Henrik with a second AGW honour after being voted by the members for the 2016 AGW Golfer of the Year award following his remarkable Royal Troon triumph.

Henrik then endeared himself with everyone in attendance, including newly-appointed European Tour CEO Guy KInnings and out-going R&A CEO Martin Slumbers, with his interview with Iain Carter.

The AGW’s annual dinner also was a fitting occasion to honour two individuals ending their career golfing careers.

It seemed only fitting Bernie McGuire should choose Royal Troon to step-down after 10-years as AGW Secretary having attended his first Open Championship at the famed Scottish course in 1989. Australian-born Bernie was in attendance at the 118th Open Championship representing Australian Golf Digest and also the New Zealand Press Association. It would be the first of over 30 Open Championships for Bernie and with the AGWs first Secretary since the Assocation’s founding in 1938 not to have been born in the UK, choosing the 152nd Open to step aside as Secreatary.

The Association wished a surprised and also very proud Bernie well and thanked him for all his efforts with a Dave Cannon photograph of Royal Troon and a commemorative AGW quaich.

Congratulations Bernie and thank you so much from all your many friends at the AGW and in golf.

Also shortly to step down is R&A CEO Martin Slumbers are some nine years as the head of the St. Andrews-based body. Martin has always been very engaging with the AGW and with the Association recognizing this strong relationship with a commemorative quaich.

Wishing Martin well in his next career challenge.