Instructed to bring the Fred Pignon and ETIQUS Golfer of the Year trophies to the AGW’s annual meeting on the Wirral after winning them 12 months ago, Dave Edwards fulfilled his brief perfectly.
Furthermore, he ensured the silverware was polished and securely packed to withstand the rigours of the journey from Aberdeen to Cheshire. Not that he needed to have taken so much trouble. Nor unpacked the box.
Forty-eight hours after arriving in Wallasey he headed home with both trophies plus the Michael Williams Hoggett, which had not been available for presentation following his victory at Royal Mid-Surrey in June.
Dave Edwards with ETIQUS Gary Butler – Dave capturing the Fred Pignon Trophy for a second year running and in the process also successfully retaining the 2024 ETIQUS – AGW Race to Royal Liverpool title
That success had put Dave on course to retain the ETIQUS Race to Hoylake trophy and, after holding on to pole position with a two-point advantage following the penultimate event at Wallasey, he sealed the deal at Royal Liverpool.
And he did so in impressive style. Making light of wet and windy conditions that plagued the 15-strong field over the first dozen holes of the Open Championship venue, he recorded 32 points to finish two clear of Derek Lawrenson and Scott MacCullum.
His advantage in the Race to Hoylake – nine points ahead of Adrian Milledge – was even more comfortable and earned him his second ETIQUS timepiece following his success last year.
“It’s a good job Dave has got two wrists,” joked ETIQUS owner Gary Butler in presenting the prize.
Gary has now supported the competition for at least nine years and his generosity is much appreciated. He also played on both days, recording 31 points at Royal Liverpool and 38 at Wallasey, a total that was matched by Andy Farrell in winning the Ron Moseley Salver for the second time
Andy Farrell wins the Ron Moseley Salver for a second occasion with victory at Wallasey GC
Andy’s previous win had been achieved on The Belfry’s Brabazon course in 2003 but, unlike its successor, his round did not feature a nett Albatross.
Playing off 21 and benefitting from two shots on the par-five seventh, Andy’s third shot landed some 50 feet from the pin, and he duly rattled home the putt for a five-pointer.
On reflection, that pièce de résistance played a major part in Andy finishing three points clear of Scott MacCullum. By contrast the distance that ensured Derek Lawrenson’s tee shot was nearer the pin than David Facey’s on Old Glory at Wallasey was somewhat closer – the four centimetres earning the former a bottle of malt whisky.
That prize and a similar one for nearest the pin on Little Eye at Royal Liverpool, where David Facey prevailed, had generously been provided by Ali Rennie, Dave Edwards’ friend who drove him to and from Aberdeen.
Thanks are due to him, Gary Butler and all the staff at Wallasey and Royal Liverpool where both courses were in superb condition and a privilege to play on. My thanks also go to Derek Lawrenson for his help in arranging the day at Wallasey, to Peter Dixon for passing on the benefits of eight years’ experience as captain, and former AGW secretary Bernie McGuire for his backstage support. Thanks also to the 19 AGW members plus assorted guests who took part in this season’s events.
GOLF WRITERS CHAMPIONSHIP (Fred Pignon Trophy) – ROYAL LIVERPOOL (4th September, 2024)
32 Dave Edwards; 30 Derek Lawrenson, Scott MacCullum; 29 James Nursey, Rob Perkins; 26, Colin Harding; 25 Adrian Milledge; 22 Matt Cooper; 21 David Facey, Peter Dixon, Andy Farrell.
Nearest the Pin on the 15th: David Facey
RON MOSELEY MEMORIAL SALVER – WALLASEY (3rd September, 2024)
38 Andy Farrell; 35 Scott MacCullum; 34, Rob Perkins, Colin Harding, David Facey; 33 Mark Garrod, Derek Lawrenson; 31 Adrian Milledge; 28 Dave Edwards; 23 Peter Dixon.
Nearest the Pin on the 12th: Derek Lawrenson
ETIQUS – AGW Race to Hoylake – Final 2024 Standings
116 points Dave Edwards; 107 Adrian Milledge; 87 David Facey; 86 Rob Perkins; 81 Andy Farrell; 65 Scott MacCullum; 63 Derek Lawrenson; 60 Colin Harding; 44 Peter Dixon; 33 Mike Aitken, Martin Vousden, Nick Rodger, Mark Garrod; 32 Martin Dempster; 29 James Nursey; 27 Brian McLaughlin; 22 Matt Cooper; 18 Gordon Bannerman.
Adrian Milledge
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