Dear AGW members and our friends,
It has been a busy few weeks with much to report and starting with the AGWs annual dinner.
AGW ANNUAL DINNER – Tuesday 12th July If the many ‘thank you’ notes received over the past few days is any indication then this year’s AGW annual dinner was a smash hit. Some 60 AGW members were present among the near 265 guests who attended the dinner that took place in the Links Pavilion on course at the Old Course at St. Andrews.
Catriona Matthew was delighted to accept the Golf Writers trophy on behalf of the victorious 2021 European Solheim Cup team while Billy Foster had everyone in tears of laughter with his tales in accepting from Roddy Williams the AGW Services to Golf award, and Sandy Lyle, looking resplendent in his kilt, came straight from the R & A Former Champions dinner to accept the Arnold Palmer Open award.
In speaking of ‘thank you’ notes, a number also single out Iain Carter for praise and once again the format seems to warm with our guests including Iain’s interview with Billy that members can view by clicking on – https://twitter.com/AGWgolfwriters/status/1548623420165849090
Helping with the success of the dinner was the overwhelming support of the members in paying beforehand for seating that meant come The Open, there was just a couple of outstanding payments.
Also, a very special thank you to Peter Higgs and Dave Edwards for their support.
A full dinner report, and with photographs (Thanks to Dave Cannon), appears on the AGWs website by clicking on:
AGW ANNUAL MEETING – Wednesday 13th July
The Annual General Meeting of the AGW took place at 10am on Wednesday 13th July within the media centre at The Open Championship.
Our Chairman, Martin Dempster commenced the meeting in leading a minute’s silence in memory of three AGW members who passed away in the prior 12-month period and they were Renton Laidlaw, Goran Zachrisson and Tim Rosaforte.
Martin expressed the Association’s thanks to the R & A that Renton, Goran and Tim appeared as a large tribute display on one of the walls in the media centre at The Open
All three where dear to the AGW, with Renton in particular, and with many of the members at this AGW in attendance in April for Renton’s celebration of his life”, said Martin.
The highlight of the 2022 AGW AGM was the unanimous vote of the members in attendance to bestow Life Membership on the trio of Liz Kahn, Lewine Mair and Nuria Pastor. It is the first time in the 84-year history of the Association such an honour has been bestowed on a women member let alone three.
I have devoted, and rightfully so, a special section to this historic honour later-on in the newsletter.
However, for a full, comprehensive report of the AGM, along with financial statements for the past year, you can go to:
AGW GOLF – DENIS KIRWAN WINS 2022 RENTON LAIDLAW QUAIH IN CRAIL COUNTBACK
Denis Kirwan added his name to the Renton Laidlaw Quaich honour roll with a countback victory for the 2022 hosting of the trophy at Crail Golfing Society, and in the process joined two others atop of the ETIQUS – 2022 AGW Race to Hoylake points standing. Fifteen members and three guests teed-up on the eve of the 150th Open Championship (July 12th) on the Balcomie Links course at golf’s seventh oldest club.
At day’s end we had a three-way tie the top between Denis Kirwan, Bob Harig and Neil McLeman each posting 36 Stableford points, and with Denis emerging over the traditional back-9 countback with 17 points, Bob 16 points and Neil 15.
Full AGW website report on the outing click on:
AGW GOLF – THREEWAY TIE ATOP OF 2022 ETIQUS AGW RACE TO HOYLAKE STANDINGS
The hosting of the Renton Laidlaw Quaich at Crail now sees a three-way tie atop of the 2022 ETIQUS – AGW Race to Hoylake standings.
Denis Kirwan’s win has seen him join Rob Perkins with 70 points atop of the standing and joining the duo is Dave Facey though only managing 22 points at golf’s seventh oldest club
‘Face’ has played three AGW matches this year to join Rob and Denis and with the trio eight clear of Brian Mclaughlin and Derek Lawrenson sharing fourth with 62 points
The AGW will round-off season 2022 with our Wallasey and Royal Liverpool double-header as follows –
Monday 26th September – Ron Moseley Memorial Trophy – 1pm – Wallasey GC, Wallasey, England. (20 minutes from Royal Liverpool)
And
Tuesday 27th September, – AGW Championship (Fred Pignon Trophy) – 11.30am at Royal Liverpool Golf Club
AGW Golf Captain, Peter Dixon and after being resoundingly voted by those attending the recent AGM to remain as captain, will soon be calling for names to tee-up in our closing two events.
Full details of the current ETIQUS – AGW Race to Hoylake standings click on:
LIZ KAHN, LEWINE MAIR AND NURIA PASTOR HONOURED WITH LIFE MEMBERSHIP – Historic AGW first.
In an AGW historical first, members of the Association voted overwhelmingly to afford the women trio of Liz Kahn, Lewine Mair and Nuria Pastor ‘Life Membership’ of the Association.
It is the first occasion in the 84-year history of the Association a woman member has been extended Life Membership.
Liz, Lewine and Nuria were finally admitted together in 1979 and this despite being golf writers for many, many years.
Fortunately, times have changed for better within the AGW and the vote to approve Liz, Lewine and Nuria was unanimous and without reservation.
You can read a full report on the award to Liz, Lewine and Nuria, along with viewing a congratulatory Twitter message to Nuria and kindly offered by her long-time good friend, Jose Maria Olazabal.
Go to: https://www.agwgolf.org/liz-kahn-lewine-mair-nuria-pastor-afforded-agw-life-membership/
And while congratulating Liz, Lewine and Nuria I’m going to do a bit of chest-beating of my own in being the one to set this process of awarding them Life Membership in motion. This is what the AGW should be about!
DEREK LAWRENSON HONOURED HEADED INTO RETIREMENT
It was a very fond farewell at this year’s Open Championship for Derek Lawrenson in retiring after 40 years a golf writer and filing his last story for the Daily Mail and where he reported his first major at St. Andrews back in 1984.
Derek was first congratulated by all those in attendance at the AGWs AGM, and with arrangements made to forward a few bottles of Derek’s favourite wine to shipped to his residence.
And the European Tour’s Scott Crockett used the AGW’s AGM to present Derek with a silver salver from all his friends at the DP World Tour.
In speaking after the presentation, Derek answered two very important questions as he heads into retirement.
Firstly, he will not be joining LIV Golf and secondly, he will not be doing what is now known in AGW retirement circles as a ‘Dave Facey’.
To learn what is a ‘Dave Facey’ but also more importantly to read Chairman Martin Dempster comments in leading the AGW tribute to Derek, and also read Scott Crockett’s wonderful words on behalf of the DP World Tour plus read Derek’s reply please click on:
Congratulations Derek, and behalf of all your friends at the AGW and wishing you and Paula happy times together in this next chapter in your life.
DONALD STEEL – Celebrates 60-years a member
And while Derek Lawrenson ends a 40-year golf reporting career, the AGW pays tribute to Donald Steel who this year celebrates 60 years a member of the Association.
Donald joined the AGW in 1962, and was Treasurer from 1977 to 1990, is our a third longest-serving member behind John Ingham (1958) and Alan Herron (1959).
A very special silver salver was arranged and forwarded to Donald who kindly forwarded a great photograph with the salver and a copy of the AGWs ‘Forgive Us Our Press Passes’.
I’m sure Donald would love to hear from his many friends at the AGW, and you can contact him at email – email hidden; JavaScript is required
Congratulations Donald on 60 proud years as a member of the AGW.
JENNIFER LAIDLAW MEETS THE GOLDEN BEAR
There were a very special few moments on the Monday of the 150th Open Championship when Jennifer Laidlaw met with Jack Nicklaus within the media centre at St. Andrews.
Jack had written the foreward to Renton’s book ‘Memories Too Good To Forget’ and it was the first time the winner of 18 majors had met Jennifer.
Copies of Renton’s book were kindly made available by Jennifer to AGW members who attended The Open, and Jennifer has now indicated if any member who was not present at St. Andrews would like a copy then please email the Secretary and I will arrange a copy to be sent to you.
CONNOR SYME WINS ANNUAL JOCK MACVICAR MEMORIAL AWARD
Connor Syme was the recipient of the second annual Jock MacVicar Memorial award for the leading Scot at the recent Genesis Scottish Open. Syme finished the leading Scot at the Renaissance Club to follow Richie Ramsay, who won the inaugural award that was commissioned by the DP World Tour and handed to Richie a year ago
AGW Chairman Martin Dempster again handed out the award and saying to Connor: “We are delighted to see Connor becoming the second winner of the Jock MacVicar Memorial Award.
“As was the case with lots of players over the years, Jock covered Connor’s career when he was an amateur and was pleased to see him quickly progress to the DP World Tour after turning professional.
“As is the case with all the other Scottish players on the DP World Tour, Connor is always happy to speak to the press after a round. He joins Richie Ramsay in becoming a worthy winner of this award, which was kindly donated by the DP World Tour on our behalf.”
There is a more detailed report of Connor’s win on the AGW website by clicking on: https://www.agwgolf.org/connor-syme-wins-jock-macvicar-memorial-award-finishing-top-scot-at-2022-genesis-scottish-open/
NEW EMAIL ADDRESS
Please note Derek Lawrenson has a new email address, and a first in some 40-years.
His new email is: email hidden; JavaScript is required
LADY BONALLACK PASSES AWAY
Lastly and on a sad note, the AGW offers its heartfelt condolences to Sir Michael Bonallack on the passing of his wife, Lady Angela Bonallack who died earlier this month aged 85.
Lady Bonallack was a champion amateur golfer winning many ‘nation’ titles including the England Girls, British Womens’, Swedish Amateur, German Amateur and many other amateur championships.
In 2015, she made history becoming the first lady member admitted to the R & A Golf Club at St. Andrews and then won her first monthly medal with a net 71.
A wonderful tribute appears on the following webpage –
.. and in closing a thank you to all the members electing me to continue on as Secretary of your Association.
Bernie
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