Suffolk's Michael Rees has been awarded England Golf's Gerald Micklem Award for 2024, recognizing his exceptional commitment to the game of golf in various areas of the sport.
Named to honor a former English Amateur champion and Walker Cup player, the Gerald Micklem Award was established in 1990 and annually recognizes those unsung individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to furthering the interest of amateur golf in England.
Rees has had a huge impact on the golf world in England, particularly at his home club where he was Club Captain at Rookery Park (Lowestoft) in 1989 and 1994, before becoming President from 2001-2003. He has also been a Trustee for over 20 years, and is an Honorary Life Member, currently holding the role of Tournament & Handicap Chairman.
At County Level, Rees was President of the Suffolk Golf Union in 2010/11 and First Team Captain in 2012 when Suffolk reached the County Finals for the first time. He is also Senior Advisor and Rules Advisor and remains a member of the Board, while he was President of the South East Team from 2017-2019 and currently holds the role of Tournament Chairman and Chief Referee.
Rees' commitment to the game doesn't stop there. She has been a Tournament Panel Referee for many years and has officiated at The R&A, DP World Tour and Ladies European tournaments. In addition, he has been a member of the England Golf Competitions Working Group and a lecturer at Law Schools within England (including Guernsey) and has done informal rules evenings for counties and clubs.
On receiving his award at the England Golf AGM on April 24, the former auctioneer and best-selling fishmonger said: “I can't believe it. I thought I was being asked to give a rules night! I would like to thank all the various Suffolk secretaries and the South East Secretary Martin McDermott, he has been very helpful. There are a lot of great people doing great things for the game. For me, I actually got an award for something I love to do.
“My work has given me the opportunity to visit beautiful places throughout the country and meet high-class people. The season never ends, I just love it. My wife Sandra has to put up with me being away all the time. My daughter is a former state golfer, her fiancé is a PGA Pro, so all my wife enjoys is golfing all the time! He knows the rules of golf by heart!”
Speaking about his best moments in the game, Rees added: “I enjoyed two in the 5th division which was special, and captaining Suffolk in the Men's County Finals for the first time was a proud moment. From a referee's point of view, I have refereed at every level except the Open. I've done the Open Qualifying events, the DP World Tour – they're all special and when I was put forward to do the R&A TARS test in 2012 by England Golf, I couldn't believe it. All in all it was an amazing experience.
“Another event that really stood out for me was the Champion of Champions event at Woodhall Spa where Tommy Fleetwood missed a two-footer on the last hole. It went through to the play-offs, and I remember Tommy ended up winning it, claiming the trophy in the dark!”
Asked what happened next to the 76-year-old, he added: “I hope to do what I'm doing now. I am the current Championship Chairman of the South East Group and would like to continue. Although I am healthy enough, I hope to continue doing what I love.”
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