It had been three long ‘lockdown’ years since the Association of Golf Writers last hosted an annual dinner and with the 2022 dinner a very welcome return to normality for members and our guests.

Indeed, the 2022 dinner proved to be the second ‘hottest’ dinner ticket on the night of Tuesday the 12th July behind the traditional St. Andrews ‘Former Champions’ dinner hosted by the R & A.

Close to 260 guests gathered in the Links Pavilion within the surrounds of the 150th Open Champsionship for the hosting of the dinner.

Following the annual members vote last December for the AGW Golfer Writers trophy, we honoured the victorious 2021 European Solheim Cup team and with team captain, Catriona Matthew on hand to accept the award from AGW Chairman Martin Dempster.

It is a second occasion since 1992 the European Solheim Cup team has been honoured with the AGWs highest award.

Catriona Matthew graciously accepting the AGW Golf Writers trophy on behalf of her 2021 captained victorious European Solheim Cup team. (Photo with thanks to Dave Cannon)

Billy Foster was the Association’s choice for the AGWs Outstanding Services to Golf award and with Billy leaving most with tears of laughter in their eyes in recounting his time in caddying for Seve Ballesteros in the opening match of the 1987 Ryder Cup at Muirfield Village.

Billy Foster now joins Seve Ballesteros as recipient of the AGWs Outstanding Services to Golf award, and with Roddy Williams and son of former AGW Chairman Michael Williams and with the trophy who is named after, preseting the silver salver to Billy. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

Indeed, Billy’s name now appears on the same trophy that has Seve’s name.

Billy also was very humble in speaking in being on the bag just weeks earlier in both Matthew Fitzpatrick and himself sharing a first major championship victory at the 2022 US Open.

For those wishing to view Billy’s tale in working for Seve that week go to –

The third AGW honour – The Arnold Palmer Open award – was presented to Sandy Lyle. Sandy, and dressed in his kilt, had been in attendance earlier in the night at the R & A hosted ‘Former Champions Dinner’ and gracioulsy made his way to the AGWs annual dinner to accept the AGW award.

Sandy is a previous AGW Golf Trophy double award winner in being presented in 1980 and 1988 with the Golf Writers Trophy.

AGW Chairman Martin Dempster presents Sandy Lyle with the Arnold Palmer Open award. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

A special thank you to Iain Carter again in being a superb Master of Ceremony, and his interview with Billy Foster one of the best in recent years.

Peter Higgs and Bernie McGuire, along with the superb input of Dave Edwards, did a great job in arranging the evening and our continued thanks to Dave Cannon for his photographic efforts, and with a selection of his work from the AGWs 2022 Annual Dinner hereunder.

It would be remiss also not to thank our very valued sponsors – HSBC, R & A, Falcon & Associates, Callaway Golf, HowDidIDo, RSNG.com, Visit Scotland, Loch Lomond Whiskies, Shepherd Neame.

Steve Sanson was great in arranging the presentation of the AGWs three trophies, and Golf Monthly again did a great job in printing the menu.

Wilma Erskine with Maureen Madill and Derek Lawrenson
Billy Foster in ‘Seve’ mode during his marvellous acceptance speech after receiving the AGWs ‘Outstanding Services to Golf’ award. (Photograph – Thank you Dave Cannon)

See you next year at Royal Liverpool!