Philip Reid speaks of his delight in being appointed new AGW Chairman

Philip Reid has spoken on his delight in being appointed the new chairman of the Association of Golf Writers (AGW).

Philip is the long-time respected golf correspondent for the Irish Times, and he becomes the 16th AGW chairman and also the first member from the Republic or Ireland to be appointed chair of the AGW in this the 85th year anniversary of the founding of the AGW during the 1938 Walker Cup at St. Andrews.

Philip joined the Association in 1993 and takes over from Scotland’s Martin Dempster, who held the role since 2019.

“It was indeed a great honour to be appointed Chairman of the Association of Golf Writers at the annual general meeting at Royal Liverpool Golf Club ahead of the 151^st Open Championship,” said Philip in a message to the Association members.

“When I first became a member of the AGW at Royal St Georges in 1993, becoming chairman was far from my mind and I was simply delighted to be a member of an organisation that worked so hard and diligently for the rights of the press – written and radio – since its inception in 1938.

“Times of course have changed for our industry through the years but the AGW has striven to uphold the values of the written and spoken word and none so more than in recent years when Martin Dempster proved such an able chairman in his time, which had the impact of Covid-19 as a further complication.

“The AGW is a wonderful association with a rich history and hopefully in the coming years we can work together to continue ensure we can get the best working arrangements for our members at the different tournaments and championships.

“There is an importance to continue the close relationships we have established with the DP World Tour, the R&A, the USGA, the PGA of America, Augusta National Golf Club, the Ladies European Tour, the LPGA, the Asian Tour and now LIV.

“These are certainly changing times for those working in the coverage of golf and hopefully we can adapt and continue on the values of those original founders of this fine association.”

Of course, Philip has also been a long-serving member of the Irish Golf Writers Association and is a former Secretary of the IGWA.

Irish Golfer Magazine includes Peter Finnan, John Craven, John Shortt and your author as proud members of the AGW, and with each of us wishing Phil well in the role.