Lancashire Golf 
Golf
Tony Moss, a man of many parts, retires as county secretary
TONY Moss has a wealth of memories to cherish after retiring as secretary of the Lancashire Union of Golf Clubs, writes DAVID BIRTILL.
He held the position for 18 years but his roots ran much deeper and spread far beyond the county boundaries.
Conway-born, he is the only Welsh international to be appointed an England selector.
He served for two decades and was also a member of the handicap committee, all of which was to stand him stood him good stead when he took on his administrative role with Lancashire.
“It was a useful experience getting to know the national scene and all the people in the EGU, as it was then called, at Woodhall Spa,” he reflected.
He has seen a significant transformation in the standard of players at county level during his time as secretary.
“The junior committees became better organised and as the coaching budget grew we were able to recognise potential stars,” he said. “There has been a lot of continuing development and we’ve been rewarded by producing fine players such as Tommy Fleetwood and Haydn McCullen who played for England and have since turned professional.”
Moss added: “I’ve not been individually responsible for Lancashire’s success but I’ve always backed the ideas of all the people who served of the junior committees.”
His own playing career was impressive and he was Lancashire County champion in 1966 when he beat Hindley Hall legend John Dickinson five and four in the 18-hole final at Ormskirk.
A year later, he was in the Red Rose side crowned English County Champions at Prestbury, having qualified at Ganton, and reached the British Amateur Championship quarter-finals at Formby, losing seven and five to United States Walker Cup player Bob Dickson.
Moss arrived in Lancashire on his appointment as a physics teacher at Baines Grammar School in Poulton-le-Fylde and was already playing for the county when he made his debut for his native Wales in the Home Internationals at Royal Port Rush in 1965.
That was the season he set the course record 66 at his club Blackpool Park, lowering it by a stroke seven years later. He also played in the 1966 and 1968 Home internationals.
The former Lancashire captain did not develop an interest in golf until he was 14 but he wasted no time in revealing his burgeoning talent because within a year he was making a name for himself at club and county level and was picked to play for North Wales Boys.
A member of Conway, his handicap was trimmed from six to four by the age of 18 and he was down to one the following year by which time he was studying science at Bangor University.
A defining year was 1961 when he won the Caernarvonshire County Championship over his home course, beating Trevor Brymer in a memorable match decided at the 12th extra hole.
Moss, who played for Wales for three years and won half his 42 matches for Lancashire between 1965-74, enjoyed instant success in the first of three seasons as captain in 1986, guiding the side to the EGU Northern Championship at Pleasington and the Northern League title the following summer.
When he stood down as an England selector in 2008 he recalled: “Watching European Tour events these days the field is full of English and GB&I players who I have seen at close quarters. Two highlights come to mind which obviously involve our own county talent. Firstly, I recall a trip to La Manga for the England match against Spain in the company of Karl Wallbank, of Ashton & Lea and Fairhaven.
“One of Karl’s foursomes opponents was a young Spanish wonder boy, Sergio Garcia, partnered by Jose Manuel Lara. Karl and his partner Mike Reynard were one up and two to play but sadly lost the last two holes for a narrow defeat.
“Also in that team was a 16-year-old gaining his first England cap – one Justin Rose.
“The second memory is of a visit to Malmo, Sweden, for the European Team Championship when Luke Donald was at the top of his amateur career and running him a close second was our own Nick Dougherty. Both of them went on to Walker Cup honours before moving to a professional career.”
Moss, 75 next month, added: “I’ve loved this job to bits – it’s been a pleasure. I’ve had tremendous support from all the presidents and committee members.
“But I thought it time to stand down and hand the role to someone younger and fresher and my successor, Phil Harvey, fits the bill. But I’ll still be around because the county has made me an honorary vice-president.”
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