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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