FORMER EGU PRESIDENT BILL MURRAY GIVEN MICKLEM AWARD
Bill Murray, EGU President in 2003 and a lifelong golf administrator
from County Durham, has received the annual Gerald Micklem
Award.
The award, which was introduced in 1990, is presented to a
person who has made an outstanding contribution to further
the interests of amateur golf in England. Murray collected
the trophy at the EGU’s annual meeting at Woodhall Spa
and joins an illustrious list of former winners including
Sir Michael Bonallack, Dr David Marsh, Peter McEvoy and Alan
Thirlwell.
“I was absolutely flabbergasted,” he said. “Never
in my wildest dreams did I think I’d receive the Micklem
Award. When you’ve been president of your country you
don’t expect to get anything else. But I received it
with a great deal of pride and joy. So many people have helped
me to receive this and I’ve made so many friends along
the way.”
By his own admission, Murray’s golf has never been outstanding,
although he did once win Durham County Second Division Championship.
But above all he loves the game.
His contribution to golf has been through his administrative
abilities and, if there were such a thing, he would have a
plus handicap for all the hard work he has put in. It is off
the course that Murray has been a giant of the game. He has
served on many committees, at club, county and national level,
and was never afraid to put forward his point of view or the
view of those he represented.
He was Secretary of Durham for 12 years from 1978 before becoming
County President. He was in charge of North East coaching
for 13 years, Boys Northern Group Secretary, Golf Foundation
Chief Referee for 15 years and held a similar post for the
Daily Telegraph Junior Golf Championship.
Still living in Hartlepool where he was born in 1930, Murray
has been associated with the EGU since 1983 and played a key
role in the Union moving its headquarters to Woodhall Spa
and purchasing the famous Lincolnshire course.
A retired auctioneer and Estate Agent, Murray is also a member
of Seaton Carew Golf Club, the Royal and Ancient and an Honorary
Life Member of Morpeth Golf Club.
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