Colin Callander Captures Third AGW – ETIQUS Golfer Of The Year Title

            AGW 2017 ETIQUS GOLFER OF THE YEAR & 2017 AGW CHAMPIONSHIP

There were five players still in contention for the AGW’s ETIQUS Golfer of the Year when play got under way for the Golf Writers’ Championship Fred Pignon Trophy at Royal Liverpool last week.

Alistair Tait –  a joint winner of the title with Colin Callander in 2016 –  led the way on 118 points after four rounds but,  as he was unable to compete on the day, could do nothing to keep the chasing pack at bay.

Lying in second place was David Facey, who trailed Tait by 24 points at the start of play, with Callander a further point behind. Peter Dixon and Greg Allen needed 29 and 30 points respectively simply to draw level with the leader.

In the event, the glory once again went to Callander, whose score of 32 points was enough to secure him the trophy and a superb watch from our generous sponsor.

With an outward half of 17 points, Colin came home in 15 for a total of 32 and an overall score of 125. In joint second place, on 120, were Facey (26) and Allen (32), with Dixon (29) finishing tied for fourth, alongside Tait, on 118.

The battle for the Fred Pignon Trophy was particularly well fought over the fantastic Hoylake links, with members coming from far and wide.

There were 15 AGW members in total, with ETIQUS founder Gary Butler and Getty’s David Cannon two very welcome guests.

Iain Carter would have fancied his chances after reaching the turn in 21 points, but he faded over the back nine and opened the door to Rob Perkins, whose  consistency on the day – out in 16, home in 18 – made him a deserving winner with a score of 34 points that included a par, for a net birdie, at the last.

Thanks are particularly due to Gary Butler, for once again sponsoring the AGW, and to Royal Liverpool, whose welcome was second to none.

A very special thank you to the AGWs good friend, Rupert Adams at  William Hill and their continued generous support of the AGW Championship.

Also, it was wonderful to see Greg Allen and Denis Kirwan travel from Ireland to tee-up at Royal Liverpool and thank you to David for the splendid photographs.

The club has very kindly offered to host us again next year, so please put a note in your diaries for early November 2018.

Peter Dixon, AGW Golf Captain.

ETIQUS AGW 2017 GOLFER OF THE YEAR .. Final standings

(Four best scores to count from the five 2017 events)

Colin Callander              125    (34 + 30 + 29 + 32)

Dave Facey                     120    (33 + 26 + 35 + 26)

Greg Allen                       120    (30 + 31 + 27 + 32)

Alistair Tait                     118     (32 + 28 + 31 + 27)

Peter Dixon                    118    (35 + 24 + 30 + 29)

Andy Farrell                   95      (20 + 22 + 23 + 30)

Rob Perkins                    99      (30 + 35 + 34)

Derek Lawrenson          92      (26 + 10 + 27 + 29)

Dick Turner                    70       (31 + 9 + 30)

Mike Aitken                   56      (30 + 26)

Patricia Davies               54      (24 + 30)

Neil McLeman               54      (30 + 24)

Phil Casey                       53      (26 + 27)

Neil Tappin                     49      (27 + 22)

Euan McLean                 42      (NR +17 + 25)

Mark Townsend            42      (42)

Bill Elliott                       37       (22 + 15)

Euan Murray                  32      (32)

Denis Kirwan                 32      (32)

Iain Carter                      32      (32)

Dan Murphy                   32      (32)

Shane O’Donoghue       32     (32)

Trevor Peake                  31     (18 + 23)

Dave Edwards                29      (29)

Kevin Garside                 28      (28)

Alan Fraser                    28      (28)

Martin Dempster          27      (NR + 27)

Philip Quinn                   26      (26)

Neil Squires                    25      (25)

Nick Rodger                   23      (NR + 23)

Adam Lanigan               23      (23)

Adrian Milledge            21      (21)

Steve Douglas                20     (20)

Bernie McGuire             18     (18)

Robin Barwick               16      (NR + 16)

Phil Reid                         16       (16)

Colin Harding                NR     (NR)

• Colin’s win is his third Golfer of the Year award and he now ties Mark Garrod, Derek Lawrenson and Alistair Tait leading with 3 Race to Liverpool victories.

     AGW Championship – Fred Pignon Trophy  – Results 

34 Points    Rob Perkins (14 handicap)

32 Points    Greg Allen (8), Colin Callander (7), Denis Kirwan (14), Iain Carter (7)

30 Points    Dick Turner (18), Andy Farrell (12), David Cannon

29 Points    Derek Lawrenson (9), Peter Dixon (18)

28 Points    Alan Fraser (18)

26 Points    David Facey (16)

23 Points    Trevor Peake (18), Adam Lanigan (11)

21 Points    Adrian Milledge (15)

NR              Colin Harding

Very special thank you to AGW Golf Captain, Peter Dixon for all his his superb efforts in arranging the AGW golf days throughout the year.

And in singling out our Golf Captain we present these super snaps of ‘Dinky’s’ priceless reaction to a chip shot during his round.

For now, we look forward to seeing everyone teeing-up in the 2018 Race to Liverpool and a year the AGW will proudly celebrate our 80^th anniversary.