2020 Australian Golf Media Award Winners announced

Best Short Form Story (less than 1000 words):

Brendan Moloney – George Begg obituary

Citation: Brendan tags his column The Wandering Golfer but there was nothing wandering about his encapsulation of the late George Begg. We thought we knew George and his occasionally eccentric ways, but Brendan showed us another side to him – in fact several new sides to him. It was all done in Brendan’s amiable and easy-to-read style.

Best Long Form Story (more than 1000 words):

Brett Robinson – Up for the Fight

Citation: This was easily the most difficult category to decide. In truth any of five or six entries would have been worthy winners. In the end the judges chose Brett’s sensitively handled account of Jason Foster’s recovery from a horrific workplace accident at Townsville Golf Club. Brett does his research very thoroughly and shows great narrative skill.

Highly commended: Steve Keipert for his excellent analysis of what is right and wrong with golf architecture in Australia.

Best Opinion Piece

Rod Morri – Moore vs Moore Park

Citation: A clinical dismantling of the case put forward by Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore to seize half of Moore Park Golf Club’s land. Rod makes his points forcefully and with great clarity.

Best Reportage of Women’s Golf:

Sam Squiers – Karrie Webb interview

Citation: An intimate interview with Karrie Webb. Sam’s relaxed and empathetic style put Karrie at her ease and allowed her to open up about her life and career. A brilliant example of the interviewers’ craft.

Highly commended:  Karen Harding for her story on Margie Masters, the oldest living Australian to have won a Tour event in the United States. Margie also won a milestone court decision – The Matter of Masters – that paved the way for professional sports people to earn a Green Card for work in the US.

Best Aural Presentation:

Rod Morri, Mike Clayton – All About Seve

Citation: If you haven’t listened to this hilarious podcast, do yourself a favour, grab your earphones and tune in. Wonderful stories about the maestro Severiano Ballesteros, with insights from Clayton, Tony Johnstone and in particular Seve’s former caddie Billy Foster, who could have a career in stand-up comedy.

Best Photographic/Illustration Presentation:

Richard Fellner – Inside Golf

Richard Fellner for his evocative image of a tee marker at Buchan Valley in Gippsland bearing the scars of last summer’s bushfires. It may not be the most sumptuous or technically brilliant photograph but it told a powerful story.