Iain MacCaskill honoured by England Golf
Iain MacCaskill, who has shared a passion for golf with generations of young players, has won the England Golf Lifetime Service Award.
Iain, past Captain of Denham and Cowglen Golf Clubs, has been closely involved with golf in BB&O (Berks, Bucks & Oxon) for decades and, inspired by his own experiences as a young player, has been a huge supporter of junior golf.
He was presented with his award last night by England Golf president, Marian Rae, at a gala dinner which celebrated golfers and golf clubs who make the game great and inspire others to play.
Afterwards he said: “My motivation has always been to help the boys on to the talent pathway and observe them achieving their goals and objectives.”
Iain is a Scot who represented his country at boys’ and youths’ level and who played in The Open at Royal Troon in 1962. “I was very lucky as a boy and it spurs you to give something back to the game,” he commented.
He began volunteering in Scotland and when he moved to Buckinghamshire he was soon junior convenor at Denham. When his county involvement started he became BB&O junior manager, then county President and finally chairman of BB&O juniors, a position he continues to hold.
He’s known for his presence on the course, equipped with his trademark three-legged camping stool, and he’s famous for cutting short his presence at official lunches to resume his support for the players on the course. “We’re here for the golfers,” is his catchphrase.
His players have included Rob Watts, who is now the lead coach to the England Golf boys’ squad, and Dean Newbold, now England Golf’s County Development officer for BB&O.
Dean remarked: “It is no coincidence that many of the juniors that have passed through the system under Iain have gone on to be very successful on and off the golf course.
“I first met Iain as a 13-year-old junior golfer and the most notable thing I can recall is that he made me feel hugely valued. I was not the best player in the team and probably had the worst technique, but I felt I could beat anybody and this was down to some of the pep talks Iain gave me.”
He added: “It is only in recent years, since I have grown up, that I now realise the commitment and sheer passion Iain had, and still has, for developing children into not only golfers but young people of the world today.”
Iain was presented with his award by England Golf President, Marian Rae (Image © Leaderboard Photography).
