The Northern Echo's golf correspondent David Waterhouse catches up with Bill Murray, new president of the EGU.

WHEN Bill Murray says he is going to do something, you can't help but believe him.

Despite being a self-confessed "very mediocre golfer," he has risen to the highest position in amateur golf: the president of the English Golf Union - and the first from Durham since John Todd in 1969.

And despite badly damaging his knee and arm in a freak accident just days before he was due to fly out to Augusta for the first time to watch this year's Masters, the determined 73-year-old still made it to the US - albeit after being forced to wear a truss by his doctors.

So when he sets his heart on filling the yawning gap in golf club membership, you certainly wouldn't put it past him.

Since being elected in February, Murray - or "Mr President" as he is warmly greeted as at his home club of Seaton Carew - has made filling the 400,000 club vacancies his top priority during his year-long spell in office. And so far Murray has been delighted by the response.

"The clubs are helping tremendously by in some cases cancelling joining fees altogether," he says.

"Some have also brought in monthly subscriptions, which I think suits the younger members. Others have lowered membership fees considerably and are even offering the first year free.

"All of these things are helpful in keeping the game alive and vibrant, which is what we need."

But as Murray readily admits, maintaining the nation's passion for golf will depend largely on how successful the clubs are at attracting younger members to the sport.

Currently the statistics do not make good reading with under-18s making up just eight per cent of total club membership.

Yet Murray, who has a great deal of experience in junior golf after ten years as secretary of the Northern Boys Championship and 15 years as a tournament referee, is confident that those numbers are set to increase.

"The EGU are doing a big drive to get more juniors in," he says.

"We have got the Tri-Golf scheme, for the five to nine-year-olds, which has been a big success so far in the schools in getting juniors interested in golf.

"There is also about 60 clubs throughout the country offering free golf lessons to anyone wanting to come along.

"I am certain that more people will think about joining their local clubs, but we really need more clubs to become involved in the scheme."

Such determination is typical of a man that has steadily worked his way up the ladder to become the very first EGU president to come from Seaton Carew in its 127-year history - something which he describes as "a massive honour and recognition for the club as a whole".

Murray admits he was "dumbfounded" by his appointment considering that fact that he has never played to a low handicap.

But it is his excellent skills as an administrator for Durham and the EGU rather than his skills on the golf course that earned him such recognition.

A retired auctioneer and estate agent, Murray first became involved in golf administration in 1978 when he became secretary of the DCGU.

His association with the EGU began six years later when he was put in charge of coaching for the North-East area.

Appointed to the newly-formed Futures Committee in 1991, he also played a prominent role in moving the EGU to its new headquarters in Woodhall Spa and its subsequent development.

His hard work was finally rewarded earlier this year when he succeeded John Flanders as president.

But the affable septuagenarian quickly dismisses any thoughts that he might now be willing to wind down.

"I'm loving every minute of it," he says, revealing the kind of travelling schedule that would make a man a third of his age wince.

"Yeah I am not home very often, but to be honest it is such an honour to represent not only England but Durham I don't even think about it."

And this despite still nursing a badly-bruised knee and arm after falling over a paving stone in Hartlepool just before he was due to fly to the Masters.

"The knee is a lot better. I badly strained the ligaments and it had to be drained before I flew to Augusta," he said.

"It was painful, but it was worth it; a wonderful week. It's amazing how you forget about the discomfort when they announce your name in the closing ceremony and you have to stand up in front of anyone."

And the arm? "Still hurts a lot," he says.

"I can't play golf with it. But y'know there is a lot more to golf than just playing it."