Long standing members of BAGS will be sad to learn of the passing of Roy Jennings at the age of 91, our first Captain who contributed so much to the development of our Society.

Roy was one of the 16 players at our first event at Wentworth East in March 1993 and in 1994 took on the role of Captain as well as setting up the Society handicaps. He was always well organised and knew the rules of golf better than any of us! He played 143 rounds with us achieving five podium places in that time as well as leading his Charity team to victory on two occasions. His last round with us was our 200th day event at The Buckinghamshire in October 2015 and soon afterwards he became our President, a role he only relinquished on our 30th anniversary event at the RAC in March 2023.

He was always great company and was rightly proud of the impact he had on our Society over more than 20 years.

Though his only day win – 44 pts at Malden – goes back to 1996 that and other performances in that year were enough for him to win the Chairman’s Shield, something of which he was immensely (and rightly) proud.

We were all so saddened to hear the news of David Jackson’s passing due to complications which arose during a complex heart operation. David was a close friend of so many of us in BAGS, having joined our Society in its early years. Because of his health issues he resigned at the end of last year having played well over 200 rounds with us. He was a lovable character, always with a smile on his face and had such a cheerful outlook on life despite his health problems which allowed him only to play golf when buggies were available. We will miss him greatly.

Though his only day win – 44 pts at Malden – goes back to 1996 that and other performances in that year were enough for him to win the Chairman’s Shield, something of which he was immensely (and rightly) proud.

John was a long standing member of BAGS and played well over 100 rounds with us during his 20 plus years of membership. He took an active part in our Society but not content with that he joined Orestan a long standing Golf Society which was suffering declining numbers but with John at the helm was totally transformed into the lively organisation it is today. This would not have happened without John’s drive and determination and we saw that also in BAGS when he was always ready to give a helping hand or advice based on his wide experience. He thoroughly enjoyed his golf with us and we were all pleased for him when he had three day wins in just over 12 months in the years 2021-22. We will miss John’s cheerful presence and company but will greatly value the time we spent with him.

A round of golf with Gordon was always hugely enjoyable. He was such a lovable character and lit up every course at which we played. In the Clubhouse afterwards, however he had performed that day he was always the same Gordon, laughing, joking and above all extremely generous. Gordon played 294 rounds of golf with us which exceeds every member’s total bar three. Remember also that Gordon and Gina moved to Devon in 1999 so for most of his time with BAGS he was making an 8 hour round trip of over 400 miles to get to our events. His greatest year was in the summer of 2014 when he won three events in a row, the only time in BAGS history anyone has done that. Gordon really came into his own on our annual tours and only missed one, ironically given his love of Guinness, the one to Ireland. I can well remember when he told me he couldn’t make that one as he had the pressing engagement of Eleanor and Tom’s wedding though I assume he eventually forgave them for the clash of dates! On the tours he was always one of the last to go to bed, usually between two or three in the morning and even last year when he was seriously ill, he still had the stamina and will power to join us chatting into the early hours over a drink or three.

Jim was an early member of BAGS who managed 188 events up until 2019 before his health waned. Jim was not shy in coming forward and regaled us many a time with his dry and acerbic sense of humour which delighted us all. Two particular memories come to mind - the first being when he achieved a hole in one at the 1st hole at The Addington in March'04 totally stealing Stuart Smillie's 2004 captain's drive in thunder! The second memory of note goes all the way back to the 1996 Tour at Barnham Broom, Norwich where a sprightly Jim at the tender age of 60 only just lost at squash to Andy Harper (who was 15 years younger) 3 games to 2 early one morning before then completing 36 holes the same day. In those days the Tour consisted of 6 rounds played over 4 days! The mind still boggles!

Malcolm was one of the 16 players who helped launch our Society at Wentworth East in March 1993 and took an active part in its development over the next decade. He had two day event wins - at West Sussex in 1994 when he achieved what is still the highest Stableford score at one of our events, getting 2 for 6 at a difficult par 4 where he got two shots off his 20 h/c and at Hankley Common in 2002 when he won with 44 pts, no mean achievement. However Malcolm will be best remembered for his win in the Kent Tour of 1999 when he came from nowhere on the last day to win the Secretary’s Cup at a rain soaked Prince’s with a score of 38. Even after he left BAGS through injury he was a regular at our social events making the journey up from Bognor twice a year to keep up the contact.

Neil played sixteen rounds with BAGS, thirteen as a guest and three as a member after he was voted in at the end of 2015. He also played with us on the North Devon tour of 2013. Though his time with us was short, he had a big impact on the people he met through his cheerfulness and humour, even after his cancer was diagnosed. It is often said that people find an inner strength to combat adversity and this was certainly true of Neil who, despite his chemo sessions and an operation requiring the rebuilding of his mouth and jaw, never lost his zest for life and always enjoyed his golf with us in BAGS and with his friends at Betchworth Park. We have lost a great friend but take pleasure in having known a brave, lively and engaging colleague whom we will all miss.

Richard first played as a guest with BAGS in 2011 and after regular appearances with us in that capacity became a member in 2014. Since then he played in thirteen day events with us though due to his illness and extended treatment he only managed two appearances in 2016, the final one being at Wentworth last March. He did however join us on two tours in Devon and Dorset and the extended contact with him on those trips gave us an opportunity to appreciate his sense of humour and positive approach to life. He was great fun to play golf with and excellent company afterwards over dinner and we will miss him greatly. He never let his health problems get him down and was always talking about looking forward to returning to regular golf with us. Sadly that was not to be but we remember with affection a good friend whom we will miss greatly.

Alan was involved with our Society from its start at Wentworth East in March 1993 finishing runner up on Countback. During his time with us he played over 150 rounds and with Steve Little won the Pairs KO in successive years, the Seniors KO and the par 3 Competition. He donated the original Chairman's Shield awarded to the player with the highest three scores in a season and was a regular on BAGS Tours. Declining health led him to leave BAGS at the end of the 2013 season, his last outing with us being the Charity event of that year. Alan put a great deal of energy and enthusiasm into his involvement with BAGS and those of us who knew him well will be grateful for his part in helping develop the Society into such a successful group.

Fred was a long standing members of BAGS and was with us at the first BAGS event at Wentworth East, subsequently playing many rounds with BAGS as a member until 1998. Though he played no golf after that, he always came to our social events and Annual Dinners through to early 2016. We shall miss his cheerful presence.

Chris Romain came to BAGS as a moderate golfer yet ended up a single figure player of some quality. He brought with him many he had initially played with at Pachesham, stalwarts such as Messrs Bower, Cattermole, Taylor and Smalley. Later his friends at Tyrrells Wood came along too. However, Chris’s greatest contribution was to be our Royal Marsden Charity days with his meticulous organising skills and mega driving force helping raise the hundreds of thousands for this wonderful cause. Taken from us too soon, we will forever remember him as great company and, moreover, a great man.