Golf International Magazine Online

‘If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again’, goes the saying and that certainly applied to Clive Bailey who has been voted the Fuller’s London Pride EGU Steward of the Year for 2009.

CLIVE BAILEY CENTRE RECEIVING IS AWARD.  Picture Tom Ward

The 55 year old from Devon came out on top when the four regional winners met for the final decision over a celebratory lunch at the Fuller’s-owned The Counting House in the City of London.  It was the second successive year that Clive had won the South West competition but when the final was held last year he was unfortunately on holiday, appropriately playing golf in Florida.
 
So it was second time lucky when the man from Willingcott Valley Golf Club was given the verdict over the other regional winners, Andy Shaw from Southport Old Links, representing the North, South East’s Angela Hall of Royal Ascot, and Tessa Byrne from Evesham, the Midland winner.
 
After receiving his prizes from David Spencer, Brand Marketing Manager of Fullers and Nigel Evans, chairman of the EGU, Clive said: “For the first time in my life I’m speechless.  I felt I had a good chance of winning last year but not being present at the final I can understand why I didn’t. I was very proud to be the south west winner again this year and quietly confident I might do it this time.”
 
In their appraisal of Clive, the judges, who considered a record entry of over 600 votes in this year’s competition, emphasised his exceptional service behind the bar at Willingcott Valley, an 18 hole parkland course at Woolacombe on the north Devon coast, that he makes the clubhouse a popular place, and it’s clear that Clive is a natural host and makes an instant impression with club members and visitors. In addition to managing the bar, Clive is an excellent worker for charities, raising thousands of pounds for the local children’s hospice and successfully managing auctions when once he was known to successfully sell an empty carrier bag!!
 
After presenting Clive with his award David Spencer Brands Marketing Manager of  Fuller’s, commented, “As the Official Beer of the EGU, London Pride is a perfect sponsor for Steward of the Year. The accolade rewards excellent standards of service, as well as innovation, dedication and commitment. Clive’s unique personality and character allows him to deliver all those qualities and we are delighted for him, Willingcott Valley and Clive’s many happy customers.”
 
Clive is an adopted Devonian, having moved to the south west in 1978 from his roots in the East End of London. He is an avid Leyton Orient fan and a ‘crazy collector’, a title that refers to his massive collection of golf bag-tags which adorn the Willingcott Valley clubhouse.
 
“I have around 660 in the collection from all over the world as well as Britain,” said Clive, who also adds that he is teetotal, something not associated with someone in his position.
 
Clive has been working at Willingcott Valley since the day it opened 13 years ago. He is believed to have pulled the first pint in the clubhouse, has been a member and a captain of the club as well as being its well-loved steward.
 
“Winning the Steward of the Year is like scoring the winning goal at Wembley,” added Clive. “I have been bombarded with cards and banners since I returned from London so it’s been quite fantastic. Boy, am I going to enjoy the coming year,” he predicted.
 
The London Pride EGU Steward of the Year is part of a five year deal between Fuller’s and the EGU, which supports amateur golf and provides greater recognition to clubs and their members.