CONGRATULATIONS 

It is the start of a new year and 2022 marks a number of AGW membership milestones.  

Congratulations – 20 years a member 

Phil Casey, Bernie McGuire, Graham Otway, George Pepper, and David Smith

Congratulations – 25 years a member 

Tony Adamson, Mike Aitken, Mike Blair, and Martin Dempster.

Congratulations – 40-years a member 

Malcolm Campbell, Mark Garrod, and John Hopkins

Congratulations – 60 years a member

Donald Steel

Congratulations – 64 years a member & the AGW’s longest-serving

John Ingham

AGW CHRISTMAS HAMPERS – Thank You’s

Judging by the email replies the AGW Christmas hampers were again a huge hit.

It is not only great to learn about our over-80 senior members along with those members who may be struggling but also the partners/families of our departed friends and colleagues still find great joy in receiving the parcels of Christmas goodies while being so rewarding to read so many wonderful tales.

Our Treasurer, Peter Higgs does all the hard work in arranging the ordering and despatch of the hampers, so a thank you also to Peter.

If you’re interested in reading the many replies go onto the AGW website by clicking on:  https://www.agwgolf.org/agw-2021-christmas-hampers-thank-yous/

TIM ROSAFORTE 

Since the last AGW newsletter, we received news of the passing of AGW member, Tim Rosaforte.

If 2021 was not sad enough losing so many members, we were also shocked earlier last month in learning of Tim’s passing at age 66.

There have been so many fine tributes from the world of golf, including Jack Nicklaus, and with AGW Chairman Martin Dempster leading our own Association in tributes to ‘Rosie’.  

Click on:  https://www.agwgolf.org/tim-rosaforte-tributes-1955-2022/

DP WORLD TOUR – Seve Ballesteros Golfer of the Year Award

Members will be aware that the DP World Tour has renamed the annual Golfer of the Year as the Seve Ballesteros Golfer of the Year.

With news also that the playing members of the DP World Tour will now cast the vote for this new Seve-named award, the AGW sought the advice of the DP World Tour if the AGW would still be involved in the Tour’s awards given the AGW had long enjoyed the opportunity of an end-of-year luncheon to provide our input into selecting a ‘Golfer of the Year’.

The Tour advised there will now be three annual Tour Awards and one that the AGW and the general golfing media, will have direct involvement. The three awards will be:-

  • The Seve Ballesteros Award voted for by the Tour’s members
  • The Fans’ Player of the Year Award presented by DP World voted for by the fans on our social media, and
  • The AGW Golfer of the Year voted for by members of the golf writing media.

This AGW Golfer of the Year award will be for a DP World Tour player and in no way will affect the AGWs own Golfer of the Year award and to be presented at July’s annual dinner to the winning 2021 European Solheim Cup side, and with captain, Catriona Matthew kindly agreeing to accept the trophy on behalf of the team.

AGW 2022 HANDBOOKS 

The 2022 AGW members handbook I am 100% reliably informed by handbook coordinator, Robin Barwick will be sent to members in the second week of March.

RENTON LAIDLAW – Celebration of his life, Monday, 25th April.

AGW members were advised in the last AGW newsletter of a ‘Celebration’ of the life of our dear departed friend and colleague, Renton Laidlaw that will take place at 1 pm on Monday 25th April in the Holy Trinity Church in St. Andrews.

Members are very welcome to attend the church located in South Street however I am advised by AGW member Mitchell Platts, and helping Renton’s sister arrange the day, that the reception afterward in the Old Course Hotel is ‘invitation only’.

Jennifer has sent out invitations to AGW members and asks if those members could please forward their RSVP as soon as to the invitation.  If you would like to attend the reception and have not received an invitation, please contact Mitchell at email address:  email hidden; JavaScript is required

I am also informed that arrangements are being made for a video hook-up of the service in St. Andrews so that members who cannot attend will be able to view the proceedings online. Also, those attending and looking to stay overnight in St. Andrews will have to arrange their own accommodation.

THE R & A MEDIA FACILITATION DAY – Tuesday, 26th April – Old Course, St. Andrews

The first AGW golfing event of the 2022 ETIQUS Race to Hoylake Golfer of the Year event will be held in conjunction with the R & A Media Facilitation Day.

The R & A will be sending out invitations to AGW working media in the coming weeks to the annual pre-Open Championship media briefing and followed by lunch and then the golf, and this year on the Old Course.

The AGW, and at the request of Renton’s sister, Jennifer, and with the approval of the R & A will be playing, and on this one-off occasion, for the

Renton Laidlaw Quaich, and with Jennifer agreeing to present the trophy afterward. The Renton Laidlaw Quaich will be played along with the R & As own prize for all those teeing-up on April 26th.

The R & A will shortly be extending invitations to ‘working media’ to attend the outing.

ANNUAL FEES 

A note there are still many members of the AGW yet to pay their annual fees. If you are under the age of 65, the annual fee remains at £50 a year. 

Also, if you could please add £10 and you don’t already have a copy, the AGW will forward you a copy of the Association’s much-acclaimed ‘Forgive Us Our Press Passes’


AGW ANNUAL DINNER – 12th July 2022 – Links Pavilion, Old Course, St. Andrews 

We may be in the final week of February however arrangements are already underway for the return of the AGW’s annual dinner and, fingers crossed, a first since 2019 at Royal Portrush.

The good news is that our financial supporters long ago pledged their continuing support to the AGWs annual dinner while we have been advised the dinner will be hosted on-course in the more spacious surrounds of the Links Pavilion and not the Old Course hotel.

Our three award recipients will be in attendance while we will be hoping a number of other golfing dignitaries visiting St. Andrews for the 150th Open ceremonies may be able to join us.

IMPORTANT NOTE – AGW Treasurer Peter Higgs and I will be stressing, and due to an attendance limit on dinner guest numbers, that the booking for dinner seats will only be confirmed when a payment has been made.

It will mean the deadline for payment and your confirmation of seats will be before the start of Open Championship week.  As such, there will be no acceptance of payment for seats on-site at St. Andrews during the two days of The Open leading up to the dinner.  

All payments will have to be made via Pay Pal or bank transfer and account details will be provided at the time of advising (Late May 2022) of the dinner booking details.

OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP ACCOMMODATION 

I am liaising with the R & A with regards to seeking increased University of St. Andrews media accommodation for the 150th Open Championship.

The R & A advises they have already received many requests from the media for accommodation, and above the allocated number of rooms.  Hopefully, with the AGW’s input, we can secure additional rooms.  I will keep members advised.

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS  

And also on a membership theme, the AGW is delighted to warmly welcome our first two members for 2022.

Chris Stratford was proposed by Andy Waple and seconded by Alan Hedley. Chris, who lives in Huddersfield in Yorkshire, reports on golf for Yorkshire Post, Yorkshire Evening Post, Halifax Courier, Yorkshire Golfer, and Golf Management Magazine.

Many members who travelled to Spanish tournaments will know Carmela Fernandez Piera.  Carmela, who lives in Madrid, worked for many years in the Spanish media centres with Maria Acacia Lopez-Bachillar, and in recent years she’s been working reporting on the Challenge Tour, attended the Olympic Games covering the Spanish efforts, and is writing full-time on golf in Spain.  Carmela was proposed by Isabel Trillo and seconded by Alejandro Rodríguez Fernández.

A warm welcome to the AGW to both Chris and Carmela.

If there are AGW members who work with someone or know of a colleague who writes on golf and you feel they could benefit the AGW by becoming a member, please approach the Secretary.

CONGRATULATIONS 

The AGW extends our heartiest congratulations to good friend Dave Cannon on the news he will be honoured at this year’s PGA Championship with a Lifetime Achievement Award in PhotoJournalism.

Dave will be only the second to be honoured with such an award.

Congratulations Dave from all your friends at the AGW and thank you also for your continued support of the Association.

….. AND SPOT THE AGW (Scottish) MEMBER How many AGW members and others you can spot in the photograph that our Chairman recently ‘posted’?   


Cheers for now and if you have any AGW-related photographs why not share them with members?

Secretary,

February, 2022