2021 Outgoing Captain’s Address
Ladies and Gentlemen of the ACGA Family
Firstly, may I take this opportunity to wish you and your Families a safe and healthy Xmas and an even better 2022.
Captain Stuart Austrie with Founder member
The Late Tony “TJ” Johnson
2021 was the first season following the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, which sadly took the life of one of the ACGA’s Founder Members Tony TJ Johnson. Hopefully TJ is looking down on us and as well as laughing at our attempts to replicate a decent looking swing, he is also smiling in approval that the ACGA is still going from strength to strength.
There were some slight differences to the format of the events due to the pandemic. For the first time in many years, there were no weekenders, with all events held over a single day. There was also no April event, as social distancing rules had not eased enough to allow the holding of what is normally the season’s opening Major.
The committee still managed to organise six events to be held over the course of the season, and re-visited some of the favourite courses that have hosted the ACGA over the years.
Over the course of the season, we welcomed several new members and guests. Paul Brown, Amaya Athill, Julia Regis, Denise Regis, Hector James, Ernie Booth, Mark Quamina, Bernie Scotland and Conorde Clark all joined the ACGA family at various events over the season. We also welcomed back old members such as Cornelius CJ Joseph, William Burnett, Kevin Thomas, Winston Johnson, Roger Greenidge and Patrick Winkle.
Every event was well attended, culminating in the Captain’s Day held at Wanstead Golf Club in October. Over 70 players took part, including a large contingent of Wanstead GC members.
A charity match was also held between the ACGA and Wanstead GC. In a closely fought contest, Wanstead edged out the ACGA 7-5. We look forward to the return match next season.
The ACGA was also well represented in the first Black British Golfers (BBG) Tournament held at The Shire in September. Frank Skinner provided guidance to the founder of the BBG Forum Ray Nyabola.
As has become the norm over the last few seasons, there was a different winner at most events with one notable exception. There is also a new kid on the block, with Marcus Bernard joining his Dad and long-time member Mayhe “Mayhem” Bernard in the winner’s enclosure. The winners can be seen by going to the results link below, along with the 2021 Order of Merit Champion. Appropriately, the member who came out on top over the course of a very competitive season was none other than Mr Consistent himself, Founder member Frank Skinner. We are sure TJ would have been proud, although he would have fancied his chances of taking on and beating his fellow Bajan.
To finish I would like to thank you the members, and our many new friends for your continued support in helping to make this a very successful and enjoyable season. And a big thank you to the outgoing Committee for their invaluable help and for always putting the Members first.
A new Captain and Committee will be in place for next season, following the AGM in December. We wish them all good luck and look forward to seeing you all again when the season starts again, if not before.
Kind regards
Stuart Austrie
ACGA Captain 2021