Iain MacCaskill honoured by England Golf

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).

 

Share This Post

More To Explore

Senior League Winners

After a successful season in the SEG North Division, BB&O gained a place in the league final against the winners of the South Division. The final took place at Royal

Junior League Success

After a successful performance in the South Eastern Group Leagues, the BB&O U16’s and U18’s found themselves in the League Final. The U16’s League Final took place at Haywards Heath

Futures Tour Hadden Hill

The penultimate Futures Tour event of the season took place at Hadden Hill on Sunday 28th September. This was the sixth event of the series with a full field of

Tadmarton Junior Winter Series

The Tadmarton Heath Junior Winter Series is back with six events running from October to March. The 18 hole stableford events provide competitive opportunities over the winter period. An Order

Hillman Finals

After a long fought campaign, the Hillman Trophy and Plate Finals were decided over 18 holes on Sunday 21st September at Goring & Streatley Golf Club. After a couple of wet

Charlie wins BB&O Autumn Trophy

The BB&O Autumn Trophy was held at Lambourne Golf Club on Sunday 14 September. It was a race against the weather forecast with heavy rain due later in the day.