AGW Chairman Martin Dempster congratulates new R & A Salver champion Ed Hodge (r)

In his first AGW tournament, Ed Hodge claimed the R & A Salver on the Old Course at St Andrews reports AGW’s Rob Perkins from St. Andrews (Tuesday, 26th April, 2022)

Although a member since 2016, Ed had found it difficult to compete in AGW events because of work and family commitments but his 38 points was good enough to see him take the inaugural event of the 2022 season.

Ed, a former freelance golf reporter who now works for the R & A who plays off eight, was shocked to find himself top of the leaderboard after a benign day on the St Andrews links.

The grandstands around the Old Course may have been empty but the excitement generated at the home of golf was no less exciting as more than 20 AGW members fought it out to capture the R & A Silver Salver.

Eventual winner Ed said: “Having blobbed a couple of holes I never dreamt that I would be in the running, but two birdies obviously made up for those mistakes and I’m really happy to take the trophy home.

“Although I’ve been a member of the AGW for six years, this is the first competition I’ve been able to take part in – I suppose if you are going to win one tournament then this one at the home of golf  is the one to win.

“It was a wonderful day on a course that inspires all those that play on it and like everyone else I was privileged to be out there.”

A delighted Ed received the trophy from the R & A Captain Peter Forster in the clubhouse at the end of the day’s play.

Ed Hodge receives the R & A salver from R&A Captain Peter Forster. (Photograph with thanks Richard Heathcote /R&A/R&A via Getty Images)

AGW chairman Martin Dempster was also on hand to congratulate Ed on his victory and he also thanked the R & A for another great day on the Old Course and looked forward to a successful 2022 championship in July.

Martin said: “Congratulations to Ed on a wonderful round of golf and a deserved victory. It’s always a pleasure to play at the home of golf and I’m sure that The Open in July will be another great success.”

And Ed found himself a double winner joining Nick Rodger, Andy Farrell and Laurie Watson in scoring a combined 92 points to the win the team prize.

Special mention to AGW members Hugo Costa and Miguel Barbero who travelled from Spain for the media outing.

The winning team of Nick Rodger, Andy Farrell, Laurie Watson and Ed Hodge with R & A Captain Peter Forster
  • Special thank you also to Rob Perkins for his report and photographs

SCORES:

1st   Ed Hodge (8) – 38pts (New AGW handicap 6)

2nd  Dick Turner (18) – 36pts

         Alex Perry (14)- 36pts

         Dan Murphy (4) – 36pts

         Greg Allen (9) – 36pts

         Mike Aitken (16) – 36pts

6th   Rob Perkins (10) – 35pts

7TH   Denis Kirwin (14) – 34pts

8th Hugo Costa (8) – 33 points

9th    Fergus Bisset (1) – 31pts

10th    Derek Lawrenson (8) – 30pts

12th  Brian McLaughlin (12) – 28pts

          Martin Dempster (12) – 28pts

          Craig Swan (14) – 28pts

15th David Facey (14) -27pts

16th Andy Farrell (15) -26pts

17th  Nick Rodger (18) -23pts

          Alex Miceli (11) -23pts

19th Miguel Barbero (18) – 16 points

2022 – ETIQUS – RACE TO HOYLAKE – AGW GOLFER OF THE YEAR – POINTS STANDING AFTER R & A SALVER

38 – Ed Hodge

36 – Dick Turner, Alex Perry, Dan Murphy, Greg Allen, Mike Aitken

35 – Rob Perkins

34 – Denis Kirwin

33 – Hugo Costa

31 – Fergus Bisset

30 – Derek Lawrenson

28 – Brian McLaughlin, Martin Dempster, Craig Swan

27 – David Facey

26 – Andy Farrell

23 – Nick Rodger, Alex Miceli

16 – Miguel Barbero