May 2018 – AGW Newsletter

AGW 80 years (1938 – 2018)

Dear Members,

This month’s bulletin begins on a very sad note with the passing of former AGW Chairman, Mark Wilson.

Mark, who was aged 90, passed away last Friday (April 27^th).   He was the AGWs fifth Chairman and proudly served from 1982 to 1984.

I am informed he commenced his journalist career on the Salisbury Times and worked for the Evening Standard and the Express.

Mark ended his working career on the European Tour working as a media consultant to Tour CEO, Ken Schofield.

Mark also was a very distinguish golfer having won the AGWs Golf Writers Championship on three occasions.

I have already received many superb tributes that will soon appear on the AGWs website and if there are members who would like to contribute a tribute please email me.

Also, I should know shortly funeral details if any member is interested in attending.

MEANTIME … Former AGW Secretary, Mark Garrod and kindly co-ordinating Pick Your Pro reports Mark Wilson is currently lying third in the contest.

Mark won the competition a year ago and as was the case a few years ago when Chris Plumridge passed away, Mark’s name will remain in the PYP competition and should he receive a pay-out come November then arrangements will be made to send a donation to an appropriate charity.

NEW 2019 AGW CHAIRMAN – Martin Dempster 

Martin Dempster has kindly agreed to accept the role of new AGW Chairman and will take over early in 2019 from current Chairman, Iain Carter.

Martin will become the AGWs 15^th Chairman and the first Chairman to represent The Scotsman.

I am sure all members warmly congratulate Martin and wish him well in the role from early next year.

“It will be an honour and privilege to succeed Iain Carter as the AGW chairman”, said Martin.

“The Association has been close to my heart since I was involved in the inaugural AGW Home Internationals, where I struck up friendships with the likes of Michael McDonnell, Colm Smith, Peter Corrigan, Michael Williams, Pat Ruddy and so many others.

OPENING EVENTS – 2018 ETIQUS – AGW Race To Royal Liverpool.

Report by AGW Golf Captain, Peter Dixon.

The AGW’s ETIQUS Race to Liverpool for 2018 was given the perfect send-off last week with successive events over two days at St Andrews and Carnoustie, when we were generously allowed to ‘piggy-back’ R&A and European Tour media days for both the Senior Open and the Open Championship.

The first of the events, for the President’s Putter, was played over the Old Course in strong and testing winds, not that Neil McLeman, the eventual champion, seemed to notice.

Something Neil will never forget is a finishing stretch in which he picked up 12 stableford points with pars, for net birdies, at each of the last four holes. Playing off 21, he finished the day with an exceptional 38 points to claim his first AGW win.

In joint second place, with 33 points, were David Facey and Denis Kirwan.

Other points of note were the birdies achieved at the 18^th by Dan Murphy, Mark Townsend and Iain Carter, although the most notable, given the conditions, was Derek Lawrenson’s birdie at the par three 11^th.

As the captain, I have to apologise for my own calamitous efforts in the company of the R&A’s Mike Woodcock, who almost jumped out of his skin when I came sprinting past him (shouting, “Sorry Mike!”) as he was preparing to putt at the 1^st.

I had seen the wind start to blow my trolley – which had been left by the 2^nd tee – towards the Swilcan Burn. I swear the ghost of Old Tom Morris was pushing it because it got faster and faster before flying over the edge and into the burn. I’m sure I heard a chuckle, although perhaps it was just the wind.

The next day it was on to Carnoustie for the R & A Salver. This is a tough course regardless of the conditions, so to play it in winds that were even stronger than the previous days proved particularly challenging. Even so, it gave everybody a good chance to reacquaint themselves with the course and what awaits the world’s best players come The Open.

The Stableford scores were predictably low, with some players suggesting that a point on a hole often felt like an achievement.

In the end victory went to Fergus Bisset, playing off three, who came in with 29 points to beat Alex Miceli on a countback.

The win is also Fergus’s maiden AGW title while Alex went so close to becoming only one of a few Americans to capture an AGW trophy.

A big thank you to the R & A, the European Tour, Gordon Simpson (Sportmate) and Carnoustie for their very special arrangements.

And a thank you also to all those, including Alex and Bernie McGuire who travelled from the States along with many of our Irish colleagues, in making the effort to be present in Scotland.

Footnote – Sadly a photographer’s error meant no photographs of our winners with the respective trophies.

• More photographs from both media outings at Twitter: @AGWgolfwriters

RESULTS OF 2018 AGW PRESIDENTS PUTTER – Old Course, St. Andrews, Scotland – Monday 23^rd April

Go to :   https://www.agwgolf.org/2018-etiqus-agw-race-to-royal-liverpool-results-of-presidents-putter-r-a-salver/

 2018 AGW R & A SALVER – Carnoustie, Scotland – Tuesday 24^th April

Go to :   https://www.agwgolf.org/2018-etiqus-agw-race-to-royal-liverpool-results-of-presidents-putter-r-a-salver/

2018 ETIQUS – AGW RACE TO ROYAL LIVERPOOL POINTS STANDING

(Post Presidents Putter and R & A Salver)  (NB – Four best scores count; Play five & drop your poorest score)

Go to :   https://www.agwgolf.org/2018-etiqus-agw-race-to-royal-liverpool-points-standing-post-presidents-putter-and-r-a-salver/

2018 RON MOSELEY TROPHY – MAY 22nd Royal Mid-Surrey.

The AGW has been very fortunate to be offered Royal Mid-Surrey GC for the staging of the 2018 Ron Moseley Trophy.

The event will be held in the afternoon of Tuesday May 22^nd in the week of the BMW PGA Championship at nearby Wentworth.

Tee times will be from 4.30pm onwards thus allowing those working at the BMW PGA to file copy.

The event is open to ALL AGW members and it would be nice to see those not actively working teeing-up.

HOWEVER, you will need to confirm your intentions to play ASAP by emailing AGW Golf Captain, Peter Dixon:  email hidden; JavaScript is required   

The AGW has not previously teed-up on Royal Mid-Surrey so here is the opportunity to test your game on one of the finest courses in the London area.

Royal Mid-Surrey, and so named as it on the edge of both Middlesex and Surrey, is around a 30-minute drive from Wentworth.

Five-time Open winner, JH Taylor was the club’s first professional and one of the two 18-hole courses is named after Taylor. Taylor then handed over the professional role to Henry Cotton, a three-time Open winner and the strong heritage continued with Max Faulkner (1951 Open winner) then becoming club pro.

AGW/GWAA MEET WITH MASTERS MEDIA COMMITTEE

Members of both the AGW and GWAA executive met during Masters week with member of the Augusta media committee.

The following is points raised at the meeting and if any member would like more detailed information on any point/s please email me.

1. Flash Area – Augusta has plans to build within 5-years a new integrated flash area as part of an overhaul of the pro shop and locker room.  It will be undercover and with all the film and recording facilities.
2. Complaints about the noisy radio guy back left of media centre
3. Augusta was asked to cut down the number of garbage bin changes in the main media centre and also, and brought to notice by the GWAA, complaints re the number of attendants waiting around in the toilets. Suggestion piped music in the restrooms.
4. Streamlining the media hub on the website as there is too many ‘clicks’
5. Brought to attention Rory McIlroy did not feature Friday in one of the feature groups
6. Addressing the issue of the scores and so many different versions on both computers on your desk
7. Augusta asked if Tiger Woods interviews had gone well.
8. Complaints re moderators ignoring those with their hands up in the back of the main interview room and with Augusta responding by encouraging journalists if they intend to ask a question to sit up the front of the room
9. Augusta not concerned if media do have to get up and leave during interviews but it is a bit rude
10. Augusta addressed the interview schedule and expressed concern at Rickie Fowler’s comment (only a handful turned up for the interview) and will try to bounce the schedule off GWAA and GWA beforehand
11. The Masters will continue to stick with a no-interview of players on Wednesdays
12. In the wider picture it was suggested if Augusta would go down the path of tennis and have included in their tournament obligation the need to speak with the media
13. Augusta assured both bodies the new Chairman, Fred Ridley is media-friendly. Augusta advised his respects the media and no lessor than Billy Payne
14. Alec Miceli brought up a strong point in the development in the next 5-years compared to where we were 5-years ago how the journalist role has and will change. Augusta indicated it would be ‘more than happy to consider new ideas and that the Masters is no always one dimensional.  However, Steve Ethan encourages all media to use the ‘better quality’ video on the Masters website
15. Question from Scott Michaux re improving the media viewing area at the 12^th hole
16. Merchandise building and observation re the length of the queues and whether there can be a media ‘time window’ to shop to avoid the queues.
17. Augusta was asked on behalf of all the media to thank the dining room staff.

AGW COMMITTEE MEETING – AUGUSTA

An AGW committee was conducted during Masters week and here is a summary of the main points raised. Once again, if members seek further details on any point please email me.

1. Update on the AGWs annual dinner. Sergio Garcia to be present to accept ‘AGW 2017 Golfer of the Year’.  Ernie Els to be present to accept ‘Arnold Palmer Open Award’ and Paul Lawrie to be honoured with ‘AGW Michael Williams award for services to golf.  The dinner will be held in the Links Pavilion close to the 18^th green at Carnoustie.  Invitations to be emailed in coming weeks.  Cost per member to remain £50 & £50/guest.  Sponsorship of the dinner discussed along with ‘drinks’ support afforded the AGW by the R & A.  Menu format and choice of food also discussed.

2. One big concession for media attending The Open is an area at the back of the 18^th green where media can stand to watch play. (See below)

 

• Feedback from a meeting between the Secretary and Martin Dempster with Mike Woodcock from the R & A regarding a wide range of Open Championship issues including an update of the social media policy, media car parking, flash area/18^th green access, scoreboards and transcripts.

4. Update on AGW Golf days and also need to look at adjusting handicaps
5. AGW AGM. Issues with the sound at last year’s meeting addressed.  There will be a group photograph immediately post the 2018 meeting and future AGMs of all members attending.

6. New members nominations.
7. Feedback from the joint AGW/GWAA meeting with the Masters media committee
8. 80^th anniversary celebrations – AGW Golf outing at Wentworth later this year.

OPEN MEDIA ACCREDITATION – Monday May 7^th deadline

The deadline for Open Championship media credentials is Monday May 7^th.  No application will be entertained after this date.

Please go to:  https://www.theopen.com/MediaAccreditation

U.S. OPEN MEDIA ACCREDITATION – Monday May 14^th deadline   

Applications for media credentials to all USGA championships can be accessed via website:  www.mediacenter.usga.org/credentials

The deadline for both the U.S. Open and the U.S. Women’s Open is May 14^th.

RYDER CUP ACCOMMODATION

French-based AGW colleague, Agathe Seron has kindly advised she can help out with those members seeking accommodation during this year’s Ryder Cup outside of Versailles.

Agathe indicated she can make phone calls and/or advise anyone interested about a particular location (good or not).

Agathe says: “The official hotel is really in a poor area and it would be a shame to stay there and not enjoy French way of life during this amazing week.

“French hosts from AirBNB did not realise they could increase the price and there are numerous of rooms and full apartments to rent with affordable price in Versailles.

“The transport to and from the golf course won’t be difficult. The main station is connected to shuttles. Nothing compared to Gleneagles”.

Please contact Agathe` at email:  email hidden; JavaScript is required or phone number +33 612 419 439

NEWS MEMBERS

The AGW welcomes three new members in Martin Hardenberger (Expressen newspaper, Sweden), Andrew Both (Reuters, USA) and Hugo Costa (El Mundo, Spain).

NEW CONTACT DETAILS

Trevor Peake –

Please note new contact details for AGW Dinner Secretary, Trevor Peake.

New home number:  01925 555581 & Mobile No:  07903 178621

Jock Howard –

Jock Howard has advised he is no longer involved in golf and reluctantly has terminated his AGW membership.

Jock, who was a member since 1994, says he can still be contacted at email address:  email hidden; JavaScript is required">email hidden; JavaScript is required

Liam Kelly –

In case members have not noted and Liam has a new email address:   email hidden; JavaScript is required">email hidden; JavaScript is required

JOCK MACVICAR – Injury update.

Jock MacVicar has asked to pass on his thanks to all those wishing him a speedy recovery following a recent fall.

Jock, and as you can see in the photograph, has his right shoulder in a sling.

He was present at both the R & A media outings at St. Andrews and Carnoustie and with all those present last Monday helping celebrate his 81^st birthday.

And Jock is well in line for the Scotland Daily Express ‘Fastest Left-Handed Typist’ award.

Good golfing,

 

Bernie McGuire,  Secretary.