New Year's Honours (UK)

[BigPete]

Rory and Darren

Every New Year the Queen hands out honours to her subjects to recognise achievements in all sorts of areas of life - sports included.

This year saw major champions Rory and Darren honoured

Rory McIlroy picked up an MBE (member of the British Empire)
Darren Clarke an OBE (officer of the British Empire)

Some might consider this whole thing a tad emperialistic and out dated, and quite often politically inspired, but it's still considered a huge honour.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/16364899.stm

FYI the honour "ranks"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_British_Empire

Sir Nick has the KBE (knight of the British Empire hence the "Sir")

And - yes before anyone brings it up Northern Ireland is considered part of the UK as far as these honours are concerned... (United Kingdom = Great Britain + Northern Ireland)

[jaskanski]

Nice to see both golfers recognized for the new years honours. And nice to hear Darren speak on how proud it made him feel.

[OldTomMorris]

Can't stand the honours system.

When the Olympic golf happens and McIlory represents Ireland as I suspect he will, he has the option to represent either GB or Ireland, sadly I think there will be a bit of a backlash in the UK towards him. Personally if it was me, I would advise him not to take part as it avoids any potential issues.

[iBanesto]

Seems like only major champions get awarded.

I would have thought Luke Donald might get honoured too.

[PaddyK]

Take a look at Rorys response to his MBE. What a gracious young man he is.

[Langlands]

Well done Darren and Rory. Hoped Peter Alliss would be given a knighthood, but maybe next time.

[Bilko365]

[quote name='drpurpell' timestamp='1325420250' post='4012591']
Well done Darren and Rory. Hoped Peter Alliss would be given a knighthood, but maybe next time.
[/quote]


Peter Alliss turned down an OBE in 2002.

[Langlands]

From Wikipedia:

The British honours system is a means of rewarding individuals' personal bravery, achievement, or service to the United Kingdom and the British Overseas Territories. The system consists of three types of award: honours, decorations and medals:

Honours are used to recognise merit in terms of achievement and service.
Decorations tend to be used to recognise specific deeds.
Medals are used to recognise bravery, long and/or valuable service and/or good conduct.

Wouldn't argue that forces serving at home or abroad are worthy of recognition/award etc, however the Honours system exists to reward those from civilian life as well as those in service.

[Langlands]

[quote name='Bilko365' timestamp='1325448075' post='4013731']
[quote name='drpurpell' timestamp='1325420250' post='4012591']
Well done Darren and Rory. Hoped Peter Alliss would be given a knighthood, but maybe next time.
[/quote]


Peter Alliss turned down an OBE in 2002.
[/quote]

Didn't know that. Wonder why he turned it down.

[Bilko365]

He feels honours like that should be for heroes or people who have helped the less fortunate in society.

[jaskanski]

I grew up in a military backdrop. However, when people decry the sort of established honours system, they also dishonour the service personnel who served and in some cases died upholding the traditions without questioning the reasons behind it. I find that rather hypocritical. It also detracts from the subject of two fine golfers who have acheived something in their chosen field - the original topic of this thread. Would anybody else feel less aggrieved if they simply won another sporting related title or hokey honourary degree? Perhaps the easy target of the monarchy makes it fair game to have a dig - that's your choice I guess.

[ron lefthanded holmes]

[quote name='Bilko365' timestamp='1325451717' post='4013945']
He feels honours like that should be for heroes or people who have helped the less fortunate in society.
[/quote]
This is what im trying to say but I see im upseting people with it so wil not say no more on it

[HCEG1]

Since its inception, the whole spectrum of British society has been recognized in the New Year's Honours, from lollipop ladies and milkmen, military personnel, social workers, teachers, security officers, politicians, entrepreneurs, civil servants, actors, tv personalities, comedians (congrats, Ronnie, on your CBE) even reformed criminals...

All, presumably, deserving of their recognition in one way or another

[Bilko365]

The vast majority of civil honours in the UK go to civil servants and the judiciary, and always has done. It's an idea imported from the US that you can keep calling soldiers heros and you get away with paying them £18k a year.

[Asleep]

Well earned.

[Asleep]

Please post within forum rules, particularly this one:

[b]Rules

[i]Posting here is a privilege, not a right.[/i]

[list]

[*]No religion or political discussions.
[/list][/b]

Thank you.

[spooky]

I think Rory is a bit young to get a MBE just for playing good golf for a year or so. It took many years for Faldo to get recognition.

[Langlands]

[quote name='spooky' timestamp='1325548234' post='4019219']
I think Rory is a bit young to get a MBE just for playing good golf for a year or so. It took many years for Faldo to get recognition.
[/quote]

It also took him a few years to get his first major, which is why Rory has been recognised.

[spooky]

Faldo had to finish his career and had won 6 majors before getting an MBE and only got knighted a couple of years ago. 6 majors and the best Ryder Cup player and he was still waiting for an MBE.

[ron lefthanded holmes]

[quote name='spooky' timestamp='1325591767' post='4021141']
Faldo had to finish his career and had won 6 majors before getting an MBE and only got knighted a couple of years ago. 6 majors and the best Ryder Cup player and he was still waiting for an MBE.
[/quote]

[b]exactly[/b]

[tbowles411]

[quote name='ron lefthanded holmes' timestamp='1325593131' post='4021163']
[quote name='spooky' timestamp='1325591767' post='4021141']
Faldo had to finish his career and had won 6 majors before getting an MBE and only got knighted a couple of years ago. 6 majors and the best Ryder Cup player and he was still waiting for an MBE.
[/quote]

[b]exactly[/b]
[/quote]
Absolutely right. It's like (and someone will correct me if I'm wrong) our equivalent of the Presidential Medal of Freedom or Congressional Gold Medal. It's the honoring of [i]significant[/i] outstanding achievements (Congressional) or a lifetime of them (Presidential) where there was an impact for the entire nation.

I'm glad for them, but I can't see how these honors can be deserved for winning a single major. If anything, Luke Donald could be equally as deserving for accomplishing what he did. Maybe because he's an ex-pat living in America now?

[Langlands]

[quote name='spooky' timestamp='1325591767' post='4021141']
Faldo had to finish his career and had won 6 majors before getting an MBE and only got knighted a couple of years ago. 6 majors and the best Ryder Cup player and he was still waiting for an MBE.
[/quote]

Maybe you should write to Buckingham Palace and detail the acheivements that a golfer has to attain before they decide to award them an honour - perhaps they can revamp the OGWR while they're at it.

Personally, I'm not really bothered either way who gets what award in the New Year's list. Doesn't change my life one way or another. I wasn't surprised that Clarke and McIlroy were honoured though, given the reaction to their wins in NI - did Gmac get something after winning the US Open in 2010?

[tbowles411]

[quote name='drpurpell' timestamp='1325598486' post='4021277']
[quote name='spooky' timestamp='1325591767' post='4021141']
Faldo had to finish his career and had won 6 majors before getting an MBE and only got knighted a couple of years ago. 6 majors and the best Ryder Cup player and he was still waiting for an MBE.
[/quote]

Maybe you should write to Buckingham Palace and detail the acheivements that a golfer has to attain before they decide to award them an honour - perhaps they can revamp the OGWR while they're at it.

Personally, I'm not really bothered either way who gets what award in the New Year's list. Doesn't change my life one way or another. I wasn't surprised that Clarke and McIlroy were honoured though, given the reaction to their wins in NI - did Gmac get something after winning the US Open in 2010?
[/quote]
Yes, G-Mac received an MBE as well.

[tembolo1284]

Kinda cool, reminds me of vampire titles like king, sheriff, progeny, maker. Love it!

[spooky]

Maybe you should write to Buckingham Palace and detail the acheivements that a golfer has to attain before they decide to award them an honour - perhaps they can revamp the OGWR while they're at it. :lol:

 

Personally, I'm not really bothered either way who gets what award in the New Year's list. Doesn't change my life one way or another. I wasn't surprised that Clarke and McIlroy were honoured though, given the reaction to their wins in NI - did Gmac get something after winning the US Open in 2010?

 

If you are not bothered then why write in a thread about it? Just to criticise someone for having an opinion about something you do not have an opinion about? Do you only have opinions about things that impact upon your life or on other people's opinions?

 

Not sure why I would write to Buckingham Palace about it - do you think the Queen sits down after her Christmas lunch and jots down a list of people she wants to honour? Be sure to let me know what I am permitted to have an opinion about and I will post appropriately in future...

 

The point is about consistency. The process has changed significantly (happened under the previous Government) and seems to reflect more populist awards than used to be the case. Not important in the great scheme of things, but nonetheless people are allowed to have an opinion and to discuss such things on a discussion forum.

[Langlands]

Maybe you should write to Buckingham Palace and detail the acheivements that a golfer has to attain before they decide to award them an honour - perhaps they can revamp the OGWR while they're at it. :lol:

 

Personally, I'm not really bothered either way who gets what award in the New Year's list. Doesn't change my life one way or another. I wasn't surprised that Clarke and McIlroy were honoured though, given the reaction to their wins in NI - did Gmac get something after winning the US Open in 2010?

 

If you are not bothered then why write in a thread about it? Just to criticise someone for having an opinion about something you do not have an opinion about? Do you only have opinions about things that impact upon your life or on other people's opinions?

 

Not sure why I would write to Buckingham Palace about it - do you think the Queen sits down after her Christmas lunch and jots down a list of people she wants to honour? Be sure to let me know what I am permitted to have an opinion about and I will post appropriately in future...

 

The point is about consistency. The process has changed significantly (happened under the previous Government) and seems to reflect more populist awards than used to be the case. Not important in the great scheme of things, but nonetheless people are allowed to have an opinion and to discuss such things on a discussion forum.

 

Dry your eyes Spooky, I never said that you weren't allowed an opinion.

[spooky]

Why would I need to dry my eyes? You should be more modest than to think I am bothered to such a degree. I simply addressed what I thought was a rather fatuous post.

[Langlands]

[quote name='spooky' timestamp='1325607316' post='4021677']
Why would I need to dry my eyes? You should be more modest than to think I am bothered to such a degree. I simply addressed what I thought was a rather fatuous post.
[/quote]

You addressed it inaccurately, in that you attributed statements to me that I didn't make. Your post also had a rather pompous tone, not unlike you on this forum.

[spooky]

I didn't attribute a statement. Calling people names is rather childish and could be construed as a 'personal attack' in terms of the forum rules, but enjoy - I am not going to enter further into such playground nonsense.

[BigPete]

Would this be a good time to remind people that Lee Westwood picked up his OBE in the 2011 Birthday Honours?