Wimbledon Ancient Golf Society is a small, but flourishing club founded on the 17th June 1992, with the aim of celebrating the enthusiasm, community and camaraderie that sport clubs are so good at fostering.
Since then, the number of members was limited to 50 with invitation only, over 400 events have been arranged and over 400 people, including both guests and members, have played in WAGS events. WAGS is said to pride itself on a distinctive combination of both golfing and social events, consisting of not only local games in Surrey/ Sussex but greater areas too.
The society's objective is to ‘enhance its members’ participation in, and enjoyment of the game of golf’, according to WAGS’ website.
Robert Faulkner is a local member of the Wimbledon Ancient Golf Society, who has described WAGS as a group of keen golfers meeting from very different backgrounds and abilities in a light hearted environment. He explains: “Yes, we like to win but it's the camaraderie and jokes that are more important, and no one takes themselves too seriously. There are lots of different courses to enjoy; some much harder than others.”
In September 2022, WAGS took a trip to Tavira in Portugal. This trip was one of the two annual tours WAGS takes part in per year. During this 5 day trip, the members competed against each other, in four different rounds, two of which counted towards the Portugal trophy. WAGS prides itself on its members' dedication to their society, taking part in competitions abroad and coming together as a community, celebrating both golf itself and enjoying the experience as a group.
It is said that people like sport because they see it as a form of escapism from personal and global troubles; sport provides people with a sense of belonging and commitment. The shared sense of enthusiasm, community and camaraderie allows people to connect to a wider audience.
Sport remains ever present in life today; it continues to play a fundamental part of every culture, but each society has its own interpretation. Sport organisations throughout history can be forms of education: teaching younger generations about sports and encouraging them to persevere with their sporting interests, or simply by being a way to connect with one another, keeping sport alive.
WAGS is one of the many sporting clubs that exhibits this commitment to sport today. It is organisations such as this that allow people to unite with one keen interest - a real enjoyment of and sense of connection with their sport.
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