Ralph Bagley
January 6, 1928 – July 17, 2017
Inducted 1990
Primary Outlet
Winnipeg Tribune, Winnipeg Free Press
For more than five decades, Ralph Bagley was a key figure in Manitoba sports journalism, particularly in the worlds of golf and curling. His reporting and leadership helped shape how those sports were covered in the province and beyond.
Bagley began his career in 1944 at the Winnipeg Tribune and went on to gain experience at a variety of newspapers and radio stations. In 1968, he joined the Winnipeg Free Press, where he served as a sportswriter, assistant sports editor and eventually the dedicated golf and curling columnist. He remained in that role until his retirement in 1993.
Beyond the newsroom, Bagley was deeply connected to Manitoba’s golf and curling communities. He served on executive committees at both Elmhurst Golf and Country Club and the Winnipeg Canoe Club. He helped develop the Golf Manitoba Journal and played a crucial role in extending the life of the Manitoba Open by four years when it was at risk of being cancelled.
Bagley was also a longtime member of the selection committee for the Labatt Manitoba Amateur Golfer of the Year Award and spent more than 40 years as a director of the Grey Owl golf tournament.
Colleagues admired not only his professionalism but also his warm personality.
“He was a very kind and funny man, always joking around,” said former co-worker Jim Bender.
Bagley also held leadership roles in sports journalism, serving as president of both the Manitoba and Canadian Curling Reporters, as well as completing two terms as president of the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association.
Ralph Bagley was inducted into the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour in 1990. He passed away on July 17, 2017, at age 89.
Bagley began his career in 1944 at the Winnipeg Tribune and went on to gain experience at a variety of newspapers and radio stations. In 1968, he joined the Winnipeg Free Press, where he served as a sportswriter, assistant sports editor and eventually the dedicated golf and curling columnist. He remained in that role until his retirement in 1993.
Beyond the newsroom, Bagley was deeply connected to Manitoba’s golf and curling communities. He served on executive committees at both Elmhurst Golf and Country Club and the Winnipeg Canoe Club. He helped develop the Golf Manitoba Journal and played a crucial role in extending the life of the Manitoba Open by four years when it was at risk of being cancelled.
Bagley was also a longtime member of the selection committee for the Labatt Manitoba Amateur Golfer of the Year Award and spent more than 40 years as a director of the Grey Owl golf tournament.
Colleagues admired not only his professionalism but also his warm personality.
“He was a very kind and funny man, always joking around,” said former co-worker Jim Bender.
Bagley also held leadership roles in sports journalism, serving as president of both the Manitoba and Canadian Curling Reporters, as well as completing two terms as president of the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association.
Ralph Bagley was inducted into the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour in 1990. He passed away on July 17, 2017, at age 89.