A Message From AGW Chairman, Martin Dempster
It seems strange to have arrived in December without seeing so many of our members at all this year due to Covid-19 having hit all our lives, both personally and professionally.
Even for me, an eternal optimist, it has been a real challenge to stay positive over the past nine months, and here’s hoping that we are indeed about to see some light at the end of the tunnel with a vaccine pending.
Nothing will give me greater pleasure to see us back covering golf events on a regular basis without the need for coronavirus tests beforehand and the need to wear face masks at our desks in media centres.
That, of course, may still be some way off, but here’s hoping that 2021 brings a bit of normality to our lives, both at home and in the workplace.
I have to say, though, that the last few months have seen our working members experience a fantastic virtual media centre service from the European Tour,
PGA Tour, PGA of America and, most recently, the team at The Masters led by Steve Ethun and Regina O’Brien.
It goes without saying, of course, that we shouldn’t entertain the possibility of Zoom and Microsoft Teams interviews becoming the norm going forward, but they have certainly worked very well indeed during these strange and testing times.
Our thoughts go to Bill Robertson’s family as they prepare for a first Christmas without him and, similarly, to Dale Concannon’s wife and, of course, to Kate Wright’s parents.
In what has been a tough year, thank you for the AGW Members’ Memories that helped put a smile on our faces during lockdown and thank you for your continued support of our fine association.
I know it is going to be different this year, but have a Merry Christmas and here’s hoping that we will all see each other again in 2021.
AGW Annual Fees
A reminder from our Treasurer, Peter Higgs to those paying an annual subscription fee that if you were a paid-up member for 2020 then there is no need to pay the fee for 2021.
Welcome New Members
The AGW warmly welcomes new members:
Iain MacFarlane, England Golf
Richard Green, PGA
Alex Perry, Sports Publications (National Club Golfer/Lady Golfer/Go Golfing)
Ian Mulllins, MC2 Marketing
John Craven, Irish Golfer Magazine
I know members will look forward to meeting personally with Iain, Richard, Alex, Ian and John and trust they enjoy contributing and supporting the AGW for many years ahead.
AGW Golf – Match Reports
Since the last AGW bulletin we did manage to squeeze-in the first golf outings of 2020 with the hosting of Ron Moseley Memorial trophy and the staging of the inaugural Renton Laidlaw Quaich (replacing the Presidents Putter)
Iain Carter captured the Ron Moseley Trophy held at Royal Mid-Surrey with 30 Stableford points.
For a full report of Iain’s win go to the AGWs website by clicking on: https://www.agwgolf.org/carter-captures-2020-ron-moseley-memorial-at-royal-mid-surrey/
And a week later former Press and Journal’s Dave Edwards was celebrating with two net eagles and winning by four points to be presented with the gleaming new Renton Laidlaw Quaich.
Our extreme gratitude to Renton in financing the AGW new trophy.
The full report on Dave’s maiden AGW triumph click on:
https://www.agwgolf.org/edwards-captures-inaugural-renton-laidlaw-quaich-at-kingsbarns-links/
AGW Golf – Match Updates
As members will be aware it was planned to host the Michael Williams Hogget and also the AGW Golf Writers Championship some weeks back but the imposing of a new lockdown and the continuation of another in the Liverpool area meant they could not go ahead.
However, AGW Golf Captain Peter Dixon has not closed the door on hosting the two events early in the New Year in what will be a wraparound-like schedule that will wind-up the 2020 COVID affected golf calendar with the hosting Michael Williams Hogget at Walton Heath and Golf Writers Championship at Royal Liverpool. In this way we don’t have the words ‘not played’ beside an event.
The great thing is that Walton Heath and Royal Liverpool still wish to host the AGW.
So, if all goes to well and there are no further restrictions in place, we can still crown a 2020 ETIQUS – AGW Golfer of the Year from four events played.
AGW Golf – 2021 Opening Matches
And here are two confirmed golf outings for later in 2021 you can note in your soon-to-be-delivered AGW diary.
Monday 19th April, 2021 – Royal Cinque Ports (Followed by a sponsored reception). Soup and sandwiches beforehand with a first tee-time at 1pm for those who may be jetting in from outside of England. No bookings till closer to the date.
AND
Tuesday 20th April, 2021 – R & A Media outing, Royal St. Georges and host venue 2021 149th Open Championship.
AGW Hampers
Thanks to the work of AGW Treasurer, Peter Higgs the famed AGW hampers have been finding their way across UK and Europe as well as to the States to the doors of our retired members and the families of past members.
And in a reflection of what the hampers mean to our senior members I will share with you two early thank notes that go to the heart of the AGW.
I am sure Gordon Richardson (In France) and Ben Wright (In North Carolina) will not mind me sharing their emails.
“Merci beaucoup once more for the Christmas goodies…Louisette and I will be
familess here in Bergerac during Noel but our splendid hamper will be a reminder of our many friends and colleague past and present. Its 56 years since Michael
McDonnell and I joined the AGW. …….WOW! His “Forgive us our Press passes”
chronicles the amazing times we had charging around the golfing globe. I feel very
privileged. Its wonderful to know us wrinklies are not forgotten. The memories will
come flooding back as we much our mince pies, so cheers to one and all from the
Dordogne! … Gordon.”
“I can honestly say that I was moved to tears when I received the AGW hamper for Christmas. I cannot find easily the words to express the gratitude I feel to you and the members of the AGW for your magnificent generosity.
Yours very sincerely,
Ben Wright”
Incidentally, Ben (and along with John Ingham) are the oldest-living members of the AGW having joined in 1958.
Also, and in what has been a very different year, the AGW arranged for Christmas hampers to be despatched to four members of the European Tour Media team for their efforts since the July lifting of the golfing lockdown.
Those forced into working from home over these past five months or so will be aware of the invaluable Tour support.
And members will be pleased to know our ‘hamper list’ included the parents of our late dear friend Kate Wright.
2020/21 AGW Handbook
Robin Barwick has sent the final copy of the 2020/21 AGW Members Handbook to the printers and he assures me a copy will be in the post to all members in soon thereafter.
Seve Ballesteros – R & A Project
The R & A has already approached a number of members direct with regards a 10th anniversary tribute next year of the passing of Seve Ballesteros. (Passed away 7th May, 2011)
Co-ordinating the project is Paul Sutcliffe, Content Marketing Manager at the R & A who is working on behalf of the Seve Ballesteros Foundation.
The project initially involves searching for video and audio recordings of interviews conducted with Seve.
As mentioned, many have been contacted already however if there is any member who has not been previously approached and who can help then could you please consider contacting Paul.
Any materials provided will only be distributed with your strict permission.
You can contact Paul at email address: email hidden; JavaScript is required or you can phone him at +44 (0) 1334 460000
And a last word ….
Thank you to all those that help keep the AGW ticking especially AGW Treasurer Peter Higgs, AGW Golf Captain Peter Dixon, Mark Garrod for his great work with Pick Your Pro and Robin Barwick who kindly takes care of the AGW members handbook and diaries.
Thank you also to AGW friends David Cannon, John Bowles (trophies), John Collard, Gordon Simpson and Mary Flanagan (golf outings).
Also, a strong thank you to you the members who showed their support throughout was a difficult and unprecedented season for all of us.
Your continuing eagerness to join AGW golf outings, propose and second new members, sign-up for Pick Your Pro competition, vote for and then help promote our AGW Golfer of the Year, offer suggestions and go to the trouble to reply to even the simplest of email requests makes my role worthwhile.
Merry Christmas and here’s to a COVID-free 2021.
Bernie
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