1938 – 2024
2024 AGW ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – AGENDA
Wednesday 18th July, 2024
10am, Media Centre, Royal Troon GC
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In attendance:
Phil Reid, Bernie McGuire, Neil McLeman, John Hopkins, Spencer Robinson, Lewine Mair, Nick Rodgers, Alex Micelli, Matt Cooper, Greg Allen, Craig Swann, Phil Casey, Martin Dempster, Juan Luis Gullien, Ben Evans, Brian McLaughlin, Euan Murray, Fergus Bissett, Adrian Milledge, Bernie McGuire, Peter Finnan, Phillip Quinn, Denis Kirwin, Kevin Garside, Brian Keogh, Mark Lamport-Stokes, Andy Farrell, Ian Mullins
Chairman’s Opening Address
AGW Chairman Phil Reid thanked members for being in attendance. The Chairman then spoke of the success of the AGWs annual dinner singling Bernie McGuire, Dave Edwards and Peter Higgs on their tremendous work in arranging the dinner. He then also thanked Iain Carter for a ‘fantastic job’ he did in host the prior night’s AGW annual dinner. Phil mentioning his interview with Henrik Stenson to be ‘top stuff’ and a great way to finish the night
Phil thanked the R & A for their input and also the ‘open’ bar both at the commencement to the evening at the end of the dinner.
Phil also thanked AGW Secretary Bernie McGuire for his great work and that he will get to enjoy the gifts presented to him.
Bernie responded saying: “The presentation to him was a complete surprise indicating it was a ‘nice jesture’ and thanking David Cannon for the photograph of Royal Troon and to both Philip and Matt Cooper for the commemorative quaich.
“The presentation and gift of the quaich and photograph will be treasured memories of my 10-years at AGW Secretary”.
Minute Silence in Memory AGW Members Passed Away Last 12 months
Colin Farquharson. Colin joined the Association in 1974 and with 2024 being the 50th anniversary of him going the AGW. He had been made a Life Member in 2016.
AGW Member Attendance Apologies: Peter Higgs, Tony Garnett, Declan O’Donoghue, Donald Steele, Trevor Peake, Dave Seanor, Peter Dixon, Silva Audiso, Norman Dabell, Brian Creighton, Geoff Russell, Dave Edwards, Michael McDonnell, Isabel Trilo, Fatiha Betscher, Patricia Davies, Richard Turner.
Minutes of 2023 AGW to be found on AGW website.
Proposed by Andy Farrell and seconded by Martin Dempster.
Chairman’s Report
See below. Members read the report ahead of being proposed by Brian Keogh and seconded by Peter Finnan
Treasurer’s Report
The Chairman apologised on behalf of the Treasurer Peter Higgs who was not present due to his wife not being very well. Phil indicating by noting the Treasurer’s report that the AGW finances have improved considerably with a healthy balance of £32,000
Chairman asked if there was any question – nil questions
The report was proposed by Denis Kirwan and seconded by Neil McLeman.
The Chairman mentioned Peter will continue to act as Treasurer ‘going forward’ but will be looking for members to take over the role from Peter who feels it is time to hand over to someone who may be more ‘treasurer role’ minded.
Secretary’s Report
Bernie McGuire’s report is hereunder and with Bernie stepping down after 10 proud years as AGW Secretary. He was the first non-British born member to join the AGWs committee and the first to be appointed in a ‘serving role’.
Bernie spoke of his great joy in being honoured the night prior at the AGW annual dinner and in front of some of golf’s leading dignitaries. He also wished new Chairman Phil Reed and new Secretary Matt Cooper well in their roles and was warmly applauded in officially handing the role of Secretary over to Matt.
The Chairman wished Bernie well, however a new Secretary does need to be voted on by the committee and he called on those present for a proposed for Matt Cooper to take over.
Martin Dempster proposed and the nomination seconded by Brian Keogh.
Bernie then stepped aside and with Matt moving to the Secretary’s seat at the front of the room.
Those present applauded Matt’s appointment as the AGWs eighth Secretary.
General Business
Juan Luis Gullien mentioned the need for both the AGW and our sister body the GWAA to work closer together with the main administrative bodies in golf in continuing to improve working conditions for the media.
Chairman Phi Reid indicated he has spoken to GWAA President Alex Miceli (and also an AGW member) and it was something both the GWAA and AGW will work on going forward.
Alex Miceli mentioned the aspect of AGW membership guidelines and Phil Reid indicated he has asked AGW members John Hopkins and Ewan Murray will be part of a sub-committee who will be looking closer at the application process for AGW membership given the traditional role of a golf journalist has changed so much.
Martin Dempster as a past president spoke in taking a step back at the AGWs annual dinner and remarking what a great evening it is but also pointing out that more members should be attending the dinner considering those in the room who were guests of the AGW.
Phil Reid thanked Martin for his comments and also his contribution given Paul Lawrie could not be present. Phil said his observation was fair and that the AGW should be working to attract more members.
John Hopkins commented he had forgotten he had volunteered to work on the sub-committee however he hoped that the work of the sub-committee will help towards greater clarity in regards who should be voted into the AGW as a member.
Ewan Murray added his support for further clarity in the new member application process
Iain Carter added that in attending the media centres of today there has been a big shift away among those present who are ‘independent media’ compared to those working for organisers, social media and sponsors, and that the AGWs important role is to look after those are dedicated media and that includes not only writers but broadcasters, social media writers.
Phil Casey also mentioned this while Lewine Mair brought up the Qatar Masters and noting how there would be many who work as media at that tournament would welcome being members of the AGW.
Phil Casey noted the R&A practice of not using ‘all means’ in advising a change in Rory McIlroy’s pre-Open press conference that did not include using the media centre microphone to advise of such a move.
Phil Reid mentioned this would be mentioned to the R&A at the Open Championship media briefing with the R&A.
Phil Reid wanted it on record the support being afforded by the new London-based PGA Tour’s Lee Korman in gaining access to players.
John Hopkins mentioned the ‘difficulty’ in completing The Open application for media accreditation form and if the AGWs discussion with the R&A will include this concern. John remarked ‘it to be by far the most complicated and difficult accreditation form we’ve ever had’.
Phil Reid said he has heard that from a number or people and would bring it to the notice of the R&A
The AGW chairman Phil Reid ended the meeting thanking Lewine for her support in his first year as new chairman.
The 2024 AGW AGM officially closed.
86th Anniversary Group Photo
Ben Evans, Neil McLeman, John Hopkins, Spencer Robinson, Lewine Mair, Nick Rodgers, Alex Micele, Matt Cooper, Phil Reid, Greg Allen, Craig Swan, Phil Casey, Martin Dempster, Iain Carter, ?, Brian McLaughlin, Euan Murray, Fergus Bissett, Adrian Milledge, Bernie McGuire, Peter Finnan, Phillip Quinn, Denis Kirwin, Kevin Garside, Brian Keogh, Mark Lamport-Stokes, Andy Farrell, Ian Mullins.
2024 AGW Chairman’s Report
I would like to welcome you all to the 2024 annual general meeting of the Association of Golf Writers’ here at Royal Troon.
Firstly, I wish to thank Bernie McGuire for his work as secretary for the past 10 years. In his time, the AGW has expanded its membership base which is a great tribute to his work in the role.
And, I think it is fair to say, as Bernie stands down as secretary, he is leaving behind a legacy with a strong international membership that would surely be beyond anything the founding members back in 1938 could have envisaged.
Hopefully Bernie, you get to enjoy the gifts presented at the dinner last night.
These continue to be difficult and different times for many of us covering golf tournaments. The cost of travel and hotels is certainly a factor in reduced on-site attendance at tournaments and there is an increased reliance on the various tour communications sections for information and quotes from players. We can only thank them for this.
Looking back over the past year, there was quite a contrast between the media facilities at the Solheim Cup one week and the Ryder Cup the next.
The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin provided a memorable match with Europe retaining the trophy and a terrific storyline throughout but access to players left a lot to be desired and we have been assured such a situation won’t be replicated in Virginia this year and the following edition in the Netherlands will be run by IMG.
The Ryder Cup was another spectacular match and, I believe, the services provided by the European Tour’s communications team at Marco Simone
could not be faulted in any way. There was an issue with the hotel shuttle early in the week but, again, this was addressed quickly and successfully.
With regards to membership entry requirements to the AGW, it is planned to establish a sub-committee to look at matters especially given the change in media (online, podcasts and indeed requirements of photographers).
During the year, we also held meetings – along with our American friends in the American Golf Writers’ Association – with Augusta National and the PGA of America.
I would also like to thank Adrian Milledge for his role in successfully running the AGW golf outings and to Dave Edwards for his wonderful win in the order of merit.
Philip Reid, Chairman
AGW Treasurers Report
I am pleased to report an improvement in the association’s finances during 2023. After losing more than £8,000 over the previous two years we were able to operate at a surplus of £4,117 for the twelve months up to December 31st 2023, which goes some way towards eleviating the previous losses.
The credit for this improvement must go to our Secretary, Bernie McGuire, who successfully secured a £7,500 sponsorship of the annual dinner with Hero MotoCorp who already have considerable interests in golf.
Although we are a non-profit organization it is important that we remain financial stable and in order to do so we have to rely heavily on sponsorship. By far our biggest outlay is the annual dinner, which in 2023 cost more than £20,000 and with places at the dinner, at £60 a head, raising only £7,376 we were indebted to our sponsors for ensuring that we made a slight profit.
As a result we were able to keep subscriptions at £50 per full member ( £60 after May 31st) and, as we have managed to retain our sponsors for 2024, we should remain on an even footing and be able to keep subscriptions at their present level for the time being.
Otherwise, the finances were unremarkable. We had to spend more than £2,000 to restock our supply of quaichs for presentation purposes and were able to distribute around 50 Christmas hampers at a slightly reduced cost, thanks to an excellent discount deal with the suppliers.
I am confident that finances will remain healthy for the foreseeable future.
Peter Higgs, Hon.Treasurer,
Secretary’s Report
I felt it seemed only appropriate that my first Open Championship was in 1989 at Royal Troon and that my last should be also at Royal Troon.
Despite the ‘Aussie disappointment’ in the championship outcome of 35-years ago it was the commencement of so many long-time friendships I enjoy within the golf-writing family.
I had asked back in 2014 then AGW Chairman Derek Lawrenson to allow me the opportunity to take on the role of Secretary, and also in doing so proudly become the first non-British born member of the AGW executive.
I enjoyed so much serving under Derek and fellow Chairmen Iain Carter, Martin Dempster and for the past year, Philip Reid.
As I mentioned in the last AGW newsletter (June 2024) one aspect of also being only the seventh Secretary of the AGW was the interaction I enjoyed with our senior members and how much they warmed to feeling more a part of the Association via way of regular newsletters, the annual Christmas hampers that our Treasurer also helped arranged, and also recogising those senior members for their contribution to the Association with Life Membership recognition – more particularly the long overdue singling out Liz Kahn, Lewine Mair and Nuria Pastor for such honour.
This past decade witnessed the AGW staging its first series of golf matches outside of the UK and we now proudly boast members living in Japan, South Korea and Singapore.
Of course, there was this 10-year period from 2014 to today that has seen the biggest intake of new members since the AGW was founded just over 86-years ago.
In formally stepping down this morning I again wish to single out our present Treasurer Peter Higgs, as Peter has been marvellous to work with. It’s just a pity he cannot be here today but then we think of him in wishing his dear wife a speedy recovery.
In signing off, I am grateful for the opportunity I had to be Secretary of the Association, and I wish the Association well in continuing to prosper and the membership grows.
Best wishes and thank you to you all.
Bernie
17th July, 2024
FOOTNOTE ….
Last night at the AGW annual dinner I savoured one of the more surprising and wonderful chapters in my working life and that in being asked to step forward during the course of our annual dinner and receive an award for my work at Secretary.
I was taken by complete surprise so thank you to Phil Reid and Matt Cooper and the Assocation as it was something I never expected but feel so honoured to have received.
Very much looking forward to finding a place on the wall to hang the Royal Troon momento and also display the quaich or it is quiche (I never got that word correct)
Seriously, thank you to all at the Association for this generous thought.
Please click on the following for a full coverage of the AGWs 2024 annual dinner: