Denis Hayes Honorary Life Member 18 7 21
Denis Hayes - Honorary Life Member 18.7.21
DENIS HAYES
Honorary Life Membership Presentation Group at Stourbridge GC 18.7.21
L to R : Graham Yardley (Vice President), David McGillivray (Past President), Brian Peplow (Past President), John Whitehead (WCG Ltd Governance Director), Brian Morris (Past President) Jim Gray (Vice President), Norman Bolton (Past President) Stuart Pritchard (WCG Ltd Secretary), Denis Hayes (Past President), Bill Thompson (Past President), Roger McDermott (S'Bridge GC Gentleman President), Lee Evans (S'Bridge GC Gentlemen Captain), Sandra Corbett (S'Bridge GC Lady Captain), Barry Corbett (S'Bridge GC Past Captain), Gary Sykes (S'Bridge GC Past Genteman President), Bob Grindley (S'Bridge GC Chairman of the Club), Bernice Grindley (S'Bridge GC Lady President Elect).
On a glorious July morning at Stourbridge Golf Club the above group assembled to pay tribute to a wonderful gentleman, namely, Mr Denis Hayes. At the formation of the new limited company in January 2021, it was decided by the board to award Denis Hayes, Honorary Life Membership of Worcestershire County Golf Ltd, and this was unanimously agreed at the first Company AGM on 21st April 2021. Due to Covid-19 and other restrictions, this was the first opportunity to formally present Denis with a momento of this achievement at his beloved Stourbridge GC. Bill Thompson, WCG Ltd Chairman, summarised Denis's many achievements with the following:
Denis Hayes, Stourbridge GC
His long association with the game began at Stourbridge Golf Club in 1939 as a 13-year-old, a Club at which he remains a member of today. He served as Captain in 1963-64 and President in 1990-91. As a ‘one club’ man he is now an Honorary Life Member.
In 1963 he was elected as a Member of the R&A, an organisation of which he remains a member of today and has served with distinction, namely as Chairman of the Implement and Ball Committee in 1967; Chairman of the Rules Committee in 1980; and Chairman of the General Committee in 1976 and from 1984 to 1988.
Denis was also co-Chairman of the World Golf Council in partnership with the President of the USGA in the 1980’s. This was a defining period of achievement in his life, as he was being instrumental in the re-write of the rules of golf, which were the first set of rules jointly sanctioned by the R&A and USGA. These were the 25th edition and came into effect on the 1st April 1984.
Denis’s expertise and knowledge, combined with being a referee of the highest standing, allowed him the distinction of many trips to Augusta to referee at the Masters, as well as refereeing at the Open, the US Open and the Walker Cup.
He served his County Union as a Second Team County Player in the 1960’s as well as becoming Chairman in 1990 and President in 1998/99 whilst still Chairman. He has been a long-standing member of the Executive Committee until the formation of the new limited company on the 1st January 2021.
Therefore, it is my honour and privilege to present to Denis Hayes, this engraved award as recognition of him becoming an Honorary Life Member of Worcestershire County Golf Ltd.
Congratulations Denis.
Bill Thompson WCG Ltd Chairman
Denis responded to the assembled officials with kind words of thanks and to wish Worcestershire County Golf Ltd and Stourbridge GC every success in the future.
The County would like to thank Stourbridge GC for their warm hospitality in offering to host this presentation and to all the past members of the Executive Committee and to the many officials of Stourbridge GC for their attendance at this memorable occasion.