McILROY VOTED 2022 AGW GOLFER OF THE YEAR
As members will be aware Rory McIlroy was the overwhelming choice as 2022 AGW Golfer of the Year. It is the fourth occasion McIlroy has been chosen by the members as AGW Golfer of the Year.
Full details go to the AGW website article – https://www.agwgolf.org/mcilroy-honoured-with-2022-agw-golfer-of-the-year-for-a-record-equalling-fourth-time/
US Open champ Matt Fitzpatrick was runner-up and with Sweden’s Linn Grant securing a good handful of No. 1 votes in finishing third.
There were just two other No. 1 votes aside for the leading trio and that was for Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh and Spaniard Jon Rahm.
Thank you again for those AGW members who supported this important membership task.
And breaking news as our colleagues at the Irish Golf Writers Association (IGWA) also voted Rory as their 2002 Golfer of the Year.
You can read this news story plus details of other IGWA winners by clicking on:- http://www.irishgolfwriters.com/news/2022/12/19/rory-mcilroy-beth-coulter-hugh-foley-and-jimmy-kinsella-win-2022-irish-golf-writers-association-awards
ANNIKA SORENSTAM – BECOMES FIRST FEMALE AGW VICE-PRESIDENT
Annika Sorenstam also was delighted to accept the AGWs invitation to become a vice-president and in the process, becomes the first female VP of the Association.
News of Annika’s appointment has been very well received in the bigger picture golfing world.
You can read Annika’s comments in accepting the VP role and also Lewine’s remarks that include the tale when she first met Annika 30-years ago at a golf tournament in Phoenix, Arizona, by clicking on the AGW website article – https://www.agwgolf.org/annika-sorenstam-becomes-first-female-vice-president-of-the-association-of-golf-writers/
Annika’s acceptance of the VP role continued a milestone year for women AGW members with Lewine Mair enjoying a first full year as the AGWs first female President, and with the Association also in a first by affording Life Membership on three female members in Liz Kahn, Nuria Pastor and also Lewine.
And Lewine, as you will read later on in this newsletter, has just released her first book – ‘Tapping Feet’.
DAVID WILLIAMS SEND-OFF
European Tour Chairman David Williams steps down next February after nine years in the roll.
For those who don’t know David all that well, he has always been a valued AGW supporter and equally has enjoyed a strong friendship with many members of the Association.
There was the opportunity during the recent DP World Tour Championship, and with thanks to the DP World Tour, to gather in one of the rooms at Jumeirah Estates and raise a glass of champers in toasting David’s valued work as Chairman and to also meet Eric Nicoli, the present vice-chairman who will take over from David.
MEDIA GOLF OUTINGS
Members of the AGW attending the DP World Tour season-ending DP World Tour Championship were again treated to two great golf outings firstly with the Rolex hosted outing on the Fire Course at Jumeirah Estates, and followed by another superb dinner and prize-presentation in the Rolex corporate area over-looking the 18th green on the championship Earth Course.
Our thanks again to AGW good friend Merrick Haydon and his team at Revolution World for his arrangements.
Then on Friday, the media were hosted to floodlit golf on the par-3 course at the Emirates Club followed by a BBQ and prize-giving. Thanks here to Robin Spring and the team at 16over90.com for your generous arrangements along with Chris May at the Emirates Club.
AGW member & Dubai-based Joy Chakravarty (2nd from right in photograph below) won the Odyssey putter for the best individual score.
ANNUAL FEES
As this time of year is a time of giving just a reminder that annual subscription fees are soon due with the payment of £50 to our Treasurer.
You have to May 2023 to avoid any late payment fee however our Treasurer would to certainly like to hear from members sooner rather than later.
Of course, if you have reached the ripe old age of 65 you are not obliged to pay fees but then our Treasurer will be happy to continue to accept any payment.
I’ll give members another reminder in the New Year.
2023 AGW HANDBOOK
AGW Handbook co-ordinator Robin Barwick says he is the final stages of reviewing changes and additions to the 2023 AGW handbook that hopefully should be available early in January.
PLEASE if you have changed your address, phone number or wish to add or alter your current entry in the 2022 handbook advise Robin asap. His email address is: email hidden; JavaScript is required
Of course, the AGW has stopped the printing of the annual diary but if you are like me and use a diary, I picked-up a 2023 diary quite cheaply in a local book store.
NICK DOUGHERTY APPOINTED CHAIRMAN GOLF FOUNDATION
An item I meant to include in the last newsletter and that is the AGW welcomed the great news Nick Dougherty has been appointed President of the Golf Foundation with the news released early in October.
So many know Nick and have reported on his career from his amateur days through to turning professional and more-recently in working for SKY Sports Golf.
Nick, and photographed below alongside Golf Foundation CEO Stephen Lewis, has long been a good friend of the AGW and I vividly recall, as many members may also, how well his spoke on behalf of the winning 2001 GB & I Walker Cup in accepting the AGW Golf Writers award at our 2002 dinner.
I received the following from Nick in reply the AGWs initial letter of congratulations to him:
“Needless to say, this means a great deal coming from all of my friends from the Association of Golf Writers. It really is a wonderful honour and not one I will take lightly. Your support is essential to me trying to help the Golf Foundation achieve the lofty goals we have set in getting golf on the curriculum for all schools.
“Thankfully all of us already have the knowledge of the power of the game and the life skills it can give the people that play it. The job will be to share that with the people outside of the game and the role of golf writers will be pivotal in helping us do that, so I will definitely be taking you up on your kind offer and calling on you all to help us do so.
“Thanks again and please pass on my best regards to everyone at the Association and look forward to seeing you soon, best wishes, Nick”.
Nick replaced outgoing President of seven years Sandy Jones who, as many now know, passed away late last month, and was also a very dear AGW friend.
While the AGW looks forward very much working with Nick and the Foundation, a big concern is whether or not Nick will tee-up for the Foundation in the series of matches against the AGW (Smiling in typing this).
TAPPING FEET – Lewine Mair’s book released.
Congratulations to our President Lewine Mair on the launch earlier this month of her first publication – Tapping Feet.
Lewine’s book is not golf-related but is about her husband Norman Mair, who achieved the rare feat of playing rugby and cricket for Scotland, had dementia across his last eight years. This book explores his illness from the point of view of family members while touching on the lighter side of this shocking condition. Norman was also member of the AGW for near on 50-years but with his last two years were spent in a care-home where he took it for granted that his fellow patients were as obsessed with sport as he was himself. When Lewine played the home’s grand piano, it was as if a referee’s whistle had sounded. Foot-tapping would start and stories would begin to stir – some sports-related, others simply heart-warming.
The residents themselves were inspirational, with their input prompting everything from tears to laughter.
Head for Change, the book’s charitable partner, will receive one third of the profit from sales of Tapping Feet.
Congratulations Lewine and best wishes for the book.
Members can read more about Lewine’s book by clicking on the link hereunder and in doing so, there is a further link that takes you to where you can purchase the book for as little as £7.99.
2023 ABU DHABI HSBC C’SHIP & MASTERS ACCREDITATION
A reminder Augusta National will have sent out notice with regards to 2023 Masters accreditation. Deadline for submission of applications is early February.
Also, the DP World Tour has advised accreditation and also accommodation details for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship from 19-22 January, 2023.
A limited number of rooms are available on a first come, first served basis at the Official Media Hotel with a deadline of Tuesday, 3rd January 2023.
The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton
PO Box 144238, Yas Bay, Yas Island,
Abu Dhabi, U.A.E
The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton
Room Rates:
The rate offered is for Bed & Breakfast, priced at AED690 per night, inclusive of all taxes.
Media accreditation deadline in Monday, 2nd January, 2023
International Media: email hidden; JavaScript is required
UAE Media: email hidden; JavaScript is required
AGW SERVICES TO GOLF AWARD & OPEN AWARD
With the announcement of Rory McIlroy being voted 2022 AGW Golfer of the Year, the Association also needs to consider nominations for the 2023 AGW Services to Golf and the 2023 Arnold Palmer Open awards.
As per the guidelines appearing in the AGW handbook I would very much welcome suggestions from the members that I could then place before the committee for consideration.
This will one of the first tasks of the Committee heading into the New Year and with all three awards to be presented at next year’s annual dinner at Royal Liverpool.
So, your support would be most welcome.
JOHN BOWLES
Long-time AGW good friend John Bowles got in touch with me recently to advise he had written a piece for Steel Bones he wished to share with all his friends at the Association.
Steel Bones is community-based and demand-led. It provides direct support where there is a geographical or service need. It provides advice, guidance, or signposting to relevant services to help amputee families navigate the complex, and often confusing, amputee support landscape.
John, as many members may know, has lost both his legs but it has not for a moment diminished his renowned determination.
If you find a few moments, read John’s story and then you may care to raise a glass to a true fighter.
Click on: https://steelbone.co.uk/famiyl-spotlight-with-john-bowles/
You can also email John at: email hidden; JavaScript is required">email hidden; JavaScript is required
Finally, it’s been a year in which we all have sought to get back to normality post the Covid-related lockdown measures and this has been reflected in the workings of the AGW.
The AGW celebrated the return after two years absence of the annual dinner with some 265 members and guests celebrating the occasion during the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews. A priceless highlight that night was Billy Foster, who accepted the AGWs Services to Golf award ahead of taking control of the microphone and then having all present in tears of laughter with Seve rendition of what took place at the first hole on day one of the 1987 Ryder Cup.
As mentioned earlier, the AGW created history in honouring for a first time in our 83-year history not one but three of our women members – Liz Kahn, Lewine Mair and Nuria Pastor – with Life Membership. After so much fences were initially erected in not allowing them to become members of the AGW, it was truly a long overdue honour.
Also, honoured with Life Membership was Jeremy Chapman. It was great to see Jeremy and his wife, Christa present at Tour HQ to accept the award.
As you will have noted earlier in this newsletter, the AGW reached out to Annika Sorenstam who accepted a vice-presidency role, and a first in the history of the AGW.
The Association was delighted to also welcome a number of new members including Juan Luis Guillen, John Short, Chris Stratford and our first member from South Korea in Louis Dong Hoon as well as Singapore-based Spencer Robinson.
We look to welcoming more new members into our ranks in the coming New Year.
AGW golf-wise, the Association enjoyed a full five-event normal schedule with Denis Kirwan emerging to become the first Irish-born to be crowned AGW – ETIQUS Golfer of the Year while Patricia Davies struck another blow for our women members in becoming the first AGW member in 61-years of recorded AGW golf to capture a fifth Golf Writers Championship and doing so over four decades.
On a sad note, the AGW and the GWAA earlier this year lost joint members in Tim Rosaforte and Nick Seitz.
It leaves me to thank the members for their continuing support throughout the season in the work I undertake as Secretary. I may bombard you with follow-up/reminder emails however your messages in reply are most welcome and make this work all worthwhile.
Here’s now raising a glass in wishing all members a great Christmas and best wishes heading into the New Year.
Bernie,
Secretary
Recent Comments