The Golf Foundation have announced the winners of several new ‘Presidents Awards’’, designed to reflect the significant contribution to grass roots junior golf. Among the impressive list, named after some of the Foundation's Past Presidents, is the outstanding Extra Golf Project in the North East of England which has made a massive contribution to the development of the junior game in that area.
Bernard Gallacher OBE, winning 1995 Ryder Cup Captain and President of the organisation from 1996 to 2001, presented a total of six awards at a ceremony at The De Vere Belfry, including one bearing his own name.
One of the prestigious awards handed over was the Critchley Award, named after Gen A C Critchley, CMG, CBE, DSO, President from 1952 to 1963. This was presented to the major partnership project which - thanks to the funding from One North East and Sport England - and through a highly co-ordinated effort, has made a significant impact in the development of grass roots junior golf.
The financial backing from One North East - who prepared an outstanding Ryder Cup bid for The De Vere Slaley Hall and have made a significant contribution to the success of The Great North Open which will be played for a sixth time at The De Vere Slaley Hall from June 20-23 - helped the implementation of a major project co-ordinated by a Partnership involving a wide range of local and county organisations.
The Extra Golf Project was initiated as a result of One North East's highly professional Ryder Cup proposal. In a relatively short space of time, 59 individuals were qualified as Tri-Golf Activators and 13 as Junior Golf Leaders. In less than a year, well over 7000 children were able to experience golf for the first time as a result of this project.
The Gallacher Award went to Mrs Ruth Robertson and Mrs Mhari McCall, who were instrumental in setting up golfing opportunities for the children at Springfield Primary School, Linlithgow, Scotland. The 'Laddie' Lucas Award was presented to the East Lothian Junior Golf Project and the Burroughs Award to teenager Mark Ellison, who will represent Northern Ireland in the National Special Olympic Games in 2002 despite learning difficulties.
Bill Murray, for many years the referee of the Golf Foundation Age Group Championships won the Sir Henry Cotton Award presented to the individual who has demonstrated meritorious service to junior golf for a sustained period. He is also heavily involved in the North East of England Development Project.
The Gus Payne Award went to Heyrose Golf Club who raised £7332 in 2001 through a variety of events and activities and Golf Foundation Chief Executive, Mike Round, believes the new awards to be particularly appropriate in the Foundation's Golden Jubilee year.
He said: "This Golden Jubilee year provides us with an opportunity to look back at our achievements and remind ourselves of the individuals who helped to make it all happen. Naming these awards after our Past Presidents creates a permanent link between the Foundation as it was in the early days, with the Foundation into which we have evolved."
