PASSING AWAY OF ALEX MANGION

17/03/2008

Alex Mangion
04.11.1944 – 15.03.2007

Alex joined the Royal Malta Golf Club in the early 1970’s and almost immediately became involved in committee work. In 1979 he became the Club’s fourth Maltese Captain at a time just before the withdrawal of the British Forces from Malta. His year also saw the worst flood that the course in Marsa has ever experienced. The storm was weathered when Alex rallied the membership to physically clear the debris.

Over the years he got involved in numerous Club projects, and contributed to the modern day transformation of the course and facilities at Royal Malta. He helped in the organisation of various competitions and arranged Malta’s first participation in the R&A Junior Open and the Mediterranean Games. In 1996 he introduced the first computerised handicap system and the following year created the format for the Club Championship

His vision on how to defend the game we play was pure and simple: there is nothing and no one bigger than the Royal Malta Golf Club; there is nothing and no one bigger than the Rules of Golf. As Club Secretary he was instrumental to secure the Club’s financial and administrative governance and formed part of the negotiating team that gave the Club the ‘right of use’ over the golf course.

As a founder member of the Malta Golf Association, Alex established the Club’s first links with various international golf institutions, including the R&A and the International Golf Federation. In 1998, he became Malta’s first R&A qualified referee and was also a member of the Association of Golf Club Secretaries.

In competition he achieved moderate success, winning the Wedgwood on two occasions and The Scratch Challenge Cup in 1997. His favourite matchplay competition was Malta vs. The Rest when he often seized the opportunity to take a dig at the Club’s ex-pat membership.

In 2007, in recognition of a long and distinguished service to the Royal Malta Golf Club, Alex was awarded the honour of Life President. The previous year the Malta Golf Association in similar appreciation, of his services to the game of golf, bestowed to Alex an Honorary Membership.

Alex was always convinced that he was right in everything that he did for the Club and for the game and argued with everybody regarding this, but fought with nobody. Alex was, above all, a friend and we use the words of Bobby Jones (at St. Andrews in 1958) to salute him.

When I say, with due regard for the meaning of the word, that I am your friend, I have pledged to you the ultimate in loyalty and devotion. In some respects, friendship may even transcend love, for in true friendship there is no place for jealousy. When, without more, I say that you are my friend, it is possible that I may be imposing on you a greater burden than you are willing to assume. But when you have made me aware on many occasions that you have a kindly feeling toward me, and when you have honoured me by every means at your command, then when I call you my friend, I am at once affirming my high regard and affection for you and declaring my complete faith in you and trust in the sincerity of your expressions. It is with this appreciation of the full sense of the word that I salute you as my friend.

The golfing community has lost one of its stalwart pillars but Alex’s spirit will live forever in the game of golf in Malta. Fast greens Alex, fast greens.