CPG ANNUAL AWARDS SUPPORTED BY ROLEX

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Łukasz Tomkiewicz, Vice President of the PGA of Poland, has been named the recipient of the CPG 5-Star Professional Award, following his nomination by PGA Polska.

The 5-Star Professional Award recognises PGA Professionals who have excelled across a broad range of roles within the profession, reflecting the diverse skillset required of modern PGA Members. Since its introduction in 1992, the award has honoured individuals whose contributions extend beyond a single discipline, spanning coaching, administration, leadership, education, events, and industry development.

Reacting to the news during the CPG Festival of Golf at Porto Carras Grand Resort  as part of the CPG’s Annual Awards Supported by Rolex, Tomkiewicz was quick to acknowledge the collective effort behind the recognition:

“I’m very proud, but I see this as a great success for the whole PGA of Poland. This award is more for PGA Polska than for me alone,” he said.

A PGA of Poland Member for over a decade, Tomkiewicz has been involved in multiple facets of the golf industry. His roles have included serving as Editor of the PGA of Poland Magazine, organising national PGA tournaments, supporting elite and professional-level competition, and playing a central role in the development of flagship events such as the Road to Rosa Tour and Challenge Tour tournaments hosted in Poland.

One of the clearest examples of Tomkiewicz’s impact has been his role in helping return Challenge Tour golf to Poland after a fifteen-year absence with the GAC Rosa Challenge Tour.

Tomkiewicz played a key role in ensuring the event met the highest organisational and media standards, uniting the Polish golf community behind a shared vision. Its success placed Poland firmly back on the international professional golf map and led to Ministry of Sport funding being awarded to a professional golf event for the first time, with the tournament returning again in 2025.

“There are many different things involved in my work. We organise tournaments, create opportunities for PGA Professionals, and try to involve as many members as possible in our activities,” he explained.

As Vice President of the PGA of Poland, Tomkiewicz has also contributed to strategic leadership, supporting initiatives in disability golf, professional competition pathways, and commercial development to ensure the organisation’s long-term sustainability.

Looking ahead, he highlighted the rapid growth of golf in Poland and the increasing demand for qualified PGA Professionals:

“Golf in Poland is growing very quickly. Last year our PGA Professionals issued around 1,700 green cards, and this year it will be more than 3,000. That means we need many more PGA Professionals in the coming years,” said Tomkiewicz.

Reflecting on advice for the next generation of professionals, he emphasised the importance of continuous learning:

“The most important thing is to develop all the time. Don’t stop after your education – keep learning, keep improving. That’s the way to create better golf and a better life in the profession,” he added.

Tomkiewicz now joins a prestigious international roll of honour of 5-Star Professionals, reflecting both his personal achievements and his significant contribution to the growth and development of the PGA profession in Poland.

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With thanks to the CPG Annual Awards Partners – Rolex and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT], and to Porto Carras Grand Resort, Porto Carras Golf, AEGEAN Airlines, Real Greek Dairies, Domaine Porto Carras and Souroti Water.

CPG ANNUAL AWARDS SUPPORTED BY ROLEX

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Jim van Heuven van Staereling, Director of Education at the PGA of Holland, has been named the recipient of the CPG Special Recognition Award, in recognition of his exceptional and long-standing support of the CPG and his tireless dedication to education and golf development at both national and international level.

The Special Recognition Award acknowledges individuals whose commitment, support and personal contribution have gone above and beyond in advancing the work of the CPG and its Member Countries.

Over several decades, van Heuven van Staereling has played a central role in shaping professional education pathways, supporting PGA Professionals, and fostering collaboration across borders.

Reacting to the news during the CPG Festival of Golf at Porto Carras Grand Resort as part of the CPG’s Annual Awards Supported by Rolex, van Heuven van Staereling admitted the recognition came as a surprise:

“I was really flabbergasted when I received the message. I’m very proud of the award, but for me it’s not the end — I want to go on, because we are just making change,” he said.

Having begun his formal involvement in PGA education in 1997, van Heuven van Staereling initially volunteered his time before becoming Director of Education at the PGA of Holland in 2011, a role he continues to hold today that has since seen him influence every single Professional in the country.

Throughout that journey, he has worked closely with CPG and PGA colleagues across Europe and beyond, helping to modernise education systems and encourage closer cooperation between PGAs, federations and other stakeholders.

van Heuven van Staereling has been one of the CPG’s most trusted and committed contributors, consistently giving his time, expertise and energy to support the organisation’s strategic and educational ambitions. Whether through his leadership within working groups, his involvement in international education initiatives, or his willingness to share best practice across borders, he has played a key role in helping the CPG strengthen its collaborative approach and raise standards across the global PGA network.

“This recognition is not only for me — it’s also for the PGA of Holland and all the countries I’ve worked with. Everything we’ve achieved has been done together,” he added.

A passionate advocate for collaboration, van Heuven van Staereling has consistently championed the evolving role of the PGA Professional — not only as a coach, but as an educator, mentor and guide helping people progress from A to B, both in golf and in life.

“I believe strongly in working together. You cannot help people on your own – progress comes when we share knowledge, support each other and keep learning,” he said.

He has also been a vocal supporter of innovation in education, embracing digital tools, hybrid learning models and emerging technologies to enhance professional development, while maintaining the importance of human connection in coaching and learning.

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With thanks to the CPG Annual Awards Partners – Rolex and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT], and to Porto Carras Grand Resort, Porto Carras Golf, AEGEAN Airlines, Real Greek Dairies, Domaine Porto Carras and Souroti Water.

CPG ANNUAL AWARDS SUPPORTED BY ROLEX

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Trackman has been awarded one of the CPG’s most prestigious honours, the Christer Lindberg Bowl, in recognition of its significant and lasting contribution to the world of golf.

The Christer Lindberg Bowl is presented to individuals or organisations that have demonstrated exceptional influence and service to the game. Trackman’s pioneering technology has fundamentally changed how golf is taught, coached, played, watched, and enjoyed, impacting professionals, facilities, and golfers at every level.

The award, named after CPG’s first Chairman and a leading educationalist, carries a strong legacy linked to learning and development within the profession — an area that aligns closely with Trackman’s long-standing commitment to education.

Accepting the award on behalf of Trackman during the CPG Festival of Golf at Porto Carras Grand Resort as part of the CPG’s Annual Awards Supported by Rolex, Thomas Erik Bosco highlighted the importance of education within the company’s mission:

“Education is a huge part of everything we do. From the very beginning, Trackman has focused on helping coaches and the wider golf world learn through data, feedback, and the tools we provide. That’s why this award is especially meaningful for us,” said Trackman Sales Director South & Eastern Europe & Head of Sales Booking Systems, Thomas Bosco.

From its origins as a high-performance measurement tool, Trackman has evolved into a comprehensive platform supporting coaching, player development, entertainment, and business innovation, while remaining true to its technical foundations.

CTO and co-founder of Trackman, Fredrik Tuxen, added, “I’m extremely proud of having received this recognition from the CPG. Working with coaches and players around the world has always been the heart of what we do at Trackman and we’re not stopping anytime soon.”

Beyond coaching and performance, Trackman has also played a central role in reshaping how golf is experienced and enjoyed. By bridging the gap between traditional outdoor play and immersive indoor and virtual environments, Trackman has helped make the game more accessible, engaging and social for a wider audience.

From simulator golf and competitive virtual formats to enhanced driving range experiences and data-led entertainment, its technology has allowed golfers to connect with the game in new ways, while also supporting facilities and PGA Professionals in creating modern, sustainable golf experiences.

Trackman now joins an illustrious roll of honour of past Christer Lindberg Bowl recipients such as Annika Sörenstam, John Jacobs OBE, Marta Figueras-Dotti, the Solheim Family, and last year’s winner David Rickman MBE reflecting the scale and significance of its contribution to the global game.

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With thanks to the CPG Annual Awards Partners – Rolex and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT], and to Porto Carras Grand Resort, Porto Carras Golf, AEGEAN Airlines, Real Greek Dairies, Domaine Porto Carras and Souroti Water.

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Panagiotis ‘Takis’ Gonias has been named the recipient of the CPG President’s Award for Golf Development, recognising his outstanding contribution to the promotion and development of golf in Greece, and his long-standing support of the PGA of Greece.

The President’s Award for Golf Development acknowledges individuals or projects that have made a meaningful and sustained impact on growing the game. A PGA of Greece Member since 2008, Gonias has played a unique role in broadening golf’s appeal in the country, drawing on his background as a professional football player and manager to introduce new audiences to the sport.

Accepting the award as part of the CPG Annual Awards Supported by Rolex during the CPG Festival of Golf at Porto Carras Grand Resort in Greece, Gonias reflected on what golf has meant to him since transitioning from football:

“Golf came into my life when I finished football, and it made me very happy. I had fantastic moments and met fantastic people. Only golf can give me this feeling,” said Gonias.

Gonias has been a strong advocate for golf’s crossover appeal, using his profile within Greek and international sport to act as an ambassador for the game. His efforts have included promoting FootGolf in Greece, supporting Pro-Am initiatives, and encouraging athletes from other sports to engage with golf in a fun, accessible way.

“Golf and football have many things in common – you have to train, you have to think. But in golf you are alone, and that builds character and strength,” he added.

Through his involvement with initiatives such as the AEGEAN Airlines Pro-Am and his close alignment with the PGA of Greece, Gonias has helped strengthen relationships between golf, business, and the wider sporting community, contributing to increased visibility and participation.

Reflecting on Gonias’ impact, George Diakou, President of the PGA of Greece, said:

“Takis has been an exceptional ambassador for golf in Greece. His background in professional football gave him a unique platform to introduce new audiences to the game, while his long-term support of the PGA of Greece and key initiatives has delivered real benefits for our members and the wider golf community.”

Gonias also emphasised the importance of enjoyment as a foundation for golf development:

“The most important thing is to have fun. To finish a round and feel happy – that feeling makes people want to come back and helps the game grow,” he said.

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With thanks to the CPG Annual Awards Partners – Rolex and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT], and to Porto Carras Grand Resort, Porto Carras Golf, AEGEAN Airlines, Real Greek Dairies, Domaine Porto Carras and Souroti Water.

CPG ANNUAL AWARDS SUPPORTED BY ROLEX

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The search is on once again to celebrate the very best in golf. The CPG Annual Awards Supported by Rolex honour outstanding PGA Professionals, coaches, and projects that make a lasting impact on the game, and nominations are now open for 2025.

Since 1992, the Awards have shone a light on individuals and initiatives that embody excellence, innovation, and dedication. Previous recipients include some of the game’s most influential figures such as Severiano Ballesteros, Paul Lawrie, Catriona Matthew, and Bernhard Langer, Hugh Marr, and David Rickman MBE, alongside inspirational projects like Project Ukraine and the Golf & Health Project.

The Awards this year are as follows:

• The Christer Lindberg Bowl – Awarded for Services to Golf
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Awarded for exceptional achievements in Golf
• CPG Special Recognition Award – Awarded to an individual that has done much to promote golf and/or the activities of the CPG
• 5-Star Professional Award – Awarded to a PGA Professional who has excelled in the profession
• The John Jacobs Award for Teaching & Coaching – Awarded to a coach that has excelled in their field (not necessarily at the elite level)
• The President’s Award for Golf Development – Awarded to a project or individual that has significantly contributed to the development of the game

Nominations are being sought in three of the categories from across the CPG Network and we invite you to nominate a person or project you feel deserving:

• 5-Star Professional Award
• John Jacobs Award for Teaching & Coaching
• President’s Award for Golf Development

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Download Nomination Information [PDF 0.5MB]

Download Roll of Honour [PDF 0.2MB]

Winners will join the illustrious roll of honour and be celebrated during the CPG Festival of Golf at Porto Carras, Greece, in October.

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📅 Nominations close on Friday 26 September 2025.

👉 Submit your nomination here

CPG ANNUAL AWARDS SUPPORTED BY ROLEX

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Achilles V. Constantakopoulos, the Chairman of TEMES S.A. – developers of Costa Navarino, is the latest recipient of the CPG Special Recognition Award.

His enduring support of the CPG and its activities has earned him the Award that looks to acknowledge the help and support shown by individuals and organisations that have gone above and beyond in their efforts to assist the CPG and its Member Countries.

Constantakopoulos has continuously supported the organisation since Costa Navarino – the sustainably driven destination in Greece’s southwest Peloponnese – was launched. The destination has hosted and partnered with the CPG on events and activities, and has worked with the CPG on Costa Navarino’s own Pro-Am now in the form of the AEGEAN Messinia Pro-Am, whilst also playing a vital role in the development of the PGA of Greece, its Members and the sport overall in Greece.

“ I’m truly honoured to receive this award and deeply grateful to CPG for your support and our longstanding partnership in making Costa Navarino in Greece, a world renowned golf destination,” said Constantakopoulos during his acceptance speech at the CPG Festival of Golf at Saïdia Resorts in Morocco.

“Our shared love for the game and common values have been the foundation of this enduring relationship with CPG and its Member Countries. We remain committed to investing in excellence, offering both professionals and amateurs an unparalleled experience that blends the unspoiled beauty of the Messinian landscape, warm hospitality, and world class facilities.

“Your contribution in putting Costa Navarino on the map as a premier golf destination has been great.”

Costa Navarino features 4 world class golf courses and has been named “World’s Best Golf Venue” at the World Golf Awards. The destination is also home to four 5* hotels: The Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino, The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, W Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, while also featuring luxury private residences, and many year-round activities and authentic experiences.

The founder of Costa Navarino, Captain Vassilis Constantakopoulos and his best friend, founder of AEGEAN, Theodoros Vassilakis – also a recipient of the Special Recognition Award in 2015 – were able to create a lasting legacy for golf in Greece, which is something that Achilles V. Constantakopoulos has grasped and forged ahead with incredible dedication.

“As Theodore, Katia and the team at AEGEAN looked to further develop their fantastic Pro-Am and continue to put Greece on the golfing map, I was very fortunate to be introduced to Achilles and visit Costa Navarino with them all at the very beginning, and witness an amazing vision,” added CPG Chief Executive, Ian Randell.

“Achilles has more than turned that vision into reality and we are so proud to be able to call them partners, but more importantly friends. What they have achieved is something extraordinary!”

CPG Member, the PGA of Greece, also continues to develop thanks in part at least to Costa Navarino’s creation/provision of opportunities for professionals to learn, work and compete.

To find out more about the Annual Awards and the Festival of Golf visit cp.golf/festival.

CPG ANNUAL AWARDS SUPPORTED BY ROLEX

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Past President of the PGA of Czech Republic, Petr Nitra, has etched his name into the history books becoming the latest PGA Professionals to earn the CPG’s 5-Star Professional Award.

“I would like to sincerely thank you for this prestigious and high honour that I have been awarded,” said Nitra on receiving his award at the CPG Festival of Golf at Saïdia Resorts in Morocco.

“The news of my nomination for the award reached me whilst I was on vacation and surprised me greatly but has brought me immense joy…and for me to be a PGA Professional is really living my dream.

“I am proud of the Board of the Czech PGA who do a great job, they are very strong and we have many coaches, and their cooperation with the Federation is great now and I am pleased to have done everything I can to help this over the years.”

Since 1992, the 5-Star Professional Award has been acknowledging the efforts and excellent of golf professionals that truly exemplify what it is to be a PGA Pro. Nitra joins this elite and illustrious group of some 90 individuals from around the world.

Nitra has been involved in many facets of golf from coaching players of all levels of ability, owning and operating his own golf facility in Germany, to influencing the administration and development of the sport in his role with the PGA of Czech Republic.

Nitra took up golf in 1970 and at the time Czechoslovakia was the only communist country where golf could be played, with him relying on minoring countries or peoples’ rare trips abroad to access golf equipment.

With opportunities in golf being limited, he moved to Hamburg, Germany, in the mid 80s and completed his training under professional Hans Heiser who himself contributed to European golf.

After sampling American golf in the 90s, but ultimately deciding not to move there permanently, Nitra returned to Czechoslovakia where he joined, and subsequently led, the PGA of Czech Republic, becoming it’s President from 2002 to 2016.

“I firmly believe that the Czech PGA is now an integral part of both the European and global PGA communities,” added Nitra.

“The current board, which has continued our work, is doing an excellent and responsible job – there is no doubt about that.”

Nitra’s efforts across the sport, both in his native Czech Republic, and his adopted home of Germany, display just how varied and impactful a PGA Professional’s roles can be and make him a worthy winner of this famous award.

To find out more about the Annual Awards and the Festival of Golf visit cp.golf/festival.

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The CPG President’s Award for Golf Development for 2024 has been awarded to the Golf & Health Project, acknowledging the visionary efforts of the Project’s leadership, in its ground-breaking role in highlighting the significance of the sport’s benefits, and sharing these benefits far and wide.

Since 2016 the Project has worked to provide an academic backing and voice to the benefits that golf can bring and has been significantly driven by current DP World Tour and Ryder Cup Europe Chief Medical Officer, Dr Andrew Murray, his predecessor, Dr Roger Hawkes.

The Project’s pioneering work to evaluate existing research, identify potential gaps and opportunities for future research activities, and foster collaboration between the wide variety of health-related research projects taking place around the world.

But a primary objective of the Project has been to not only seek academic support of these benefits, but also to help communicate these benefits both in, and out of, the sport.

The promotion of the many psychological and physical benefits – such as golfers live on average of five years longer than non-golfers, and those who play better tend to live longer too – has helped to improve the sport’s image, the reasoning for taking part, and acceptance as a health-enhancing activity.

“I was sat with Dr. Roger Hawkes at breakfast during the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles when Roger shared his thoughts and insights on the health benefits of golf and asked for my support of the project both personally and from CPG,” said CPG Chief Executive, Ian Randell. “I was immediately intrigued and delighted to offer our full support from day one and it is fantastic to see the impact that it continues to make in promoting our sport.”

The award was collected on behalf of the Project team at the CPG Festival of Golf at Saïdia Resorts in Morocco by Dr Omar Malik, Consultant Neurologist at Cromwell Hospital and Golf & Health Project co-founder and Board Member:

“We are absolutely delighted that the work gas been recognised, it’s amazing,” said Malik.

“Considering how important the work has been in terms of shifting the momentum for golf participation then it is so nice to have recognition. Much hard work was done particularly by Roger and Andrew, and we are so happy that it has been so well received, especially by golf’s national bodies around the world.”

The Project has also been a great example of collaboration across the global golf industry with the Project initially receiving significant support from the World Golf Foundation comprising of at the time The R&A, USGA, the world’s various male and female tours, the Masters Tournament and PGA of America, along with support from the Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT], EDGA and the CPG itself as well.

“We have a lot of people to thank around the world for their support of the Project over the past 8-10 years, both for their financial support that has made it possible, but also their philosophical support in getting behind the concept of Golf & Health and each playing their part in supporting and promoting the benefits identified,” added Murray.

“The ability for us to work together in this way has set an example for all sports and has also resulted in significant developments and activities as a direct result of our friends and colleagues’ efforts in this space.”

For example golf’s joint response to the COVID pandemic, and ultimately a key part of golf being able to get going again during lockdowns around the world, was due in part at least to the groundwork laid in proving the sport can be played in a safe, outdoor environment, combined with the connections already created with policymakers and stakeholders in governmental leadership positions.

More recently, projects are being developed where golf is being prescribed by health professionals as part of recovery and rehabilitation regimes. And in the professional world, much of this work has resulted in significantly enhanced provisions for players across the world’s tours that help to support their physical and mental wellbeing and performance.

To find out more about the Annual Awards and the Festival of Golf visit cp.golf/festival.

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World renowned coach, Hugh Marr, has been announced as the 2024 recipient of the CPG’s John Jacobs Award for Teaching & Coaching.

Hugh is the latest winner of the award that is known as one of the highest accolades a golf coach can earn in the world, all in the name of the godfather of golf coaching, John Jacobs.

“Any time you are recognised by your peers it feels a privilege, and to have my name associated with John Jacobs is something that can go down in history, so yes I feel incredibly fortunate,” said the Master Coach on receiving his award at the CPG Festival of Golf at Saïdia Resorts in Morocco.

“I love golf, and I know how much pleasure it gives people to play, so anything I can do to contribute to that, whether it’s coaching players or coaching coaches makes me genuinely happy.”

Hugh has worked with a variety of players at all levels, including those at the very pinnacle of the sport. He currently works with Thorbjørn Olesen and has helped shape his multiple wins in previous years, whilst also supporting Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston, Scott Jamieson and various others who have been highly successful across the world’s tours.

But he continues to also be known for his efforts in supporting and developing the coaching community at large, through activities such as The Coach Alliance that he helped to found, his ‘Coach Hub’ platform and community, as well as numerous webinars, interviews and workshops designed to share knowledge with coaches at any level of the game and any level of experience.

“I firmly believe that the coaching community is the single most important stakeholder in our wonderful sport,” Hugh states.

“To be truly effective as coaches we must develop our skills with this in mind. I want to up-skill coaches to deliver on their responsibility to the game, to create a high-functioning community of like-minded people all passionate about improving themselves and the game.

“I’ve always been driven by ensuring I am doing all I can to make the players I work with better, and now it’s the same for coaches…so I am always trying to do the right thing at the right time with the best information available to me.”

To find out more about the Annual Awards and the Festival of Golf visit cp.golf/festival.

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Former Executive Director – Governance and Chief of Staff of The R&A, David Rickman MBE, has been awarded one of the CPG’s highest honours, the Christer Lindberg Bowl.

The award recognises those that have had a significant impact upon the world of golf, and there may be no better example than the man who oversaw the governance of the sport in collaboration with his colleagues from the USGA for 37 years.

“It is a huge honour to receive the award, particularly when I look at the list of illustrious past winners and see names such as Sir Michael Bonallack, Peter Dawson and John Paramor who I worked with both on and off the course,” said Rickman during his acceptance speech that was shown during the CPG Festival of Golf at Saïdia Resorts in Morocco.

“I have many happy memories of working with the team at the CPG for many years as part of our work in the governance of the game…and of course working with the Member Countries. The R&A’s responsibilities are wide and we take them very seriously, and we can only do the best job for our sport by understanding the perspectives from each country across the world to help us understand the global game. I am hugely thankful to be recognised by the CPG and all these countries.”

The Christer Lindberg Bowl was created in recognition of the CPG’s first Chairman, providing acknowledgement to individuals and organisations that embody passion and influence within golf and have dedicated themselves to servicing the sport.

Rickman has been a part of, and for over 25 years was at the helm of, The R&A’s governance function, probably most commonly associated with the rules of golf, but also including Amateur Status, equipment standards, and handicapping.

His responsibilities also increased towards the end of his tenure incorporating HR and facilities functions and has even been instrumental in developing the new R&A staff building in St Andrews, at which he recently had the honour of breaking first ground using a special 1890s Bogey hole cutter provided by The R&A‘s World Golf Museum.

Rickman has been a familiar face with the CPG and its Member Countries having been hugely supportive with the organisation’s development since its beginnings in the early 90s, including various occasions to connect with PGAs and PGA Professionals at events and conferences, and more recently with the extensive consultations with the PGA community around updates to the Rules of Amateur Status.

Since joining in 1987, Rickman has also become a familiar sight at the world’s greatest amateur and professional tournaments with no less than 34 Open Championships under his belt, 28 of those as Chief Referee.

Working at over 130 events including the Masters Tournaments, US Opens, Walker Cups, and many more, it was his eighth AIG Women’s Open where he finally hung up his stopwatch at where other than St Andrews last August.

Most recently, just after his retirement had begun, Rickman was also recognised by the King Charles III and the UK royal family with an MBE, one of the highest honours a Briton can receive, for his services to golf.

To find out more about the Annual Awards and the Festival of Golf visit cp.golf/festival.

CPG ANNUAL AWARDS SUPPORTED BY ROLEX

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PGA of Czech Republic Director of Education and Board Member, Tomáš Gryc, Ph.D., has been awarded the 2023 5-Star Professional Award by the Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG] in recognition of his exemplary role as a PGA Professional in his country.

Gryc is not only a PGA of Czech Republic Member himself, operating Prague City Golf Academy, but he also gained his Ph.D. in Sport Sciences from Charles University, renowned as being one of the best universities in Central Europe.

Combined with his work in supporting PGA Professionals, his multi-faceted roles in the education space make him stand out showing excellence in the profession and hugely deserving of the 5-Star Professional accolade that has only been presented to less than 100 PGA Professionals in its 30+ year history.

“It is a great honour and pleasure to get this prestigious award. There has been a lot of work by the Czech PGA and the people around me – so this award is not only for me, it’s for all these people,” said Gryc who received the award at the 2023 CPG Annual Awards Supported By Rolex.

“Playing golf and becoming a PGA Professional is the best thing that ever happened to me – it’s the lifestyle, it is not only a job but it is great fun.”

Gryc’s extensive impact on PGA Professionals, and subsequently golf in Czech Republic, has been felt by every Member of the PGA of Czech Republic, and his substantial involvement in their education recognition process is one example of the education leadership and drive he has shown:

“We started to evolve our education in 2014 so it’s been quite a long time. I think we have developed a lot from where we made our first big steps to the Initial Professional Education [IPE] level and then on to the PGA Professional Level of the European Education Level System [EELS]. And now there is more growing up to be done to keep going, in particular developing online learning.”

His golf career began in the early 2000s where he worked at multiple clubs in various roles such as administration, in the golf shop, course maintenance and marshalling. It was in 2009 that he became a PGA of Czech Republic Member and was then actively involved in teaching golf to players of all kinds, including coordinated children’s golf camps taking place in suburban areas. More recently he has worked with elite players and even supported the management of some of these players.

Through his role with Charles University, Gryc has written and contributed extensively to a variety of sports science-focused research papers and articles. He has worked on various research activities looking at conditioning, skill level and performance analyses in youth golfers, high performance golf, as well as gait analysis, kinematics, biomechanics and sports injuries, both in golf and in other sports.

“Our nomination for Tomáš for this award was a very easy decision for us,” said PGA of Czech Republic President, Jan Mergl.

“For many years now Tomáš has been a fundamental part of our team, guiding our education efforts and ultimately impacting upon every one of the PGA Members in our country. His passion both as a PGA Member and as an academic is clear to see and with so much experience and a varied set of skills then we believe he is exactly what a 5-Star Professional should be – we thank Tomáš for everything he has done for our organisation and its Members.”

Find Out More @ https://cp.golf/2023lpsummit

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With thanks to the CPG Annual Awards Partners – Rolex and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT].

CPG ANNUAL AWARDS SUPPORTED BY ROLEX

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Bulgarian golf resort and host of the hugely successful BlackSeaRama Vivacom Pro-Am, BlackSeaRama Golf & Villas, has been awarded the CPG’s Special Recognition Award 2023 in celebration of the relationship and collaboration together following the 15th anniversary of the Pro-Am earlier this year.

The Pro-Am has been a regular fixture on the CPG’s schedule offering a fantastic opportunity to sample the Cape Kaliakra coastline and the Gary Player-designed championship links course at BlackSeaRama. This year the Pro-Am reached a record number of 43 teams showing just how popular the event is.

BlackSeaRama has partnered with the CPG to add the Pro-Am as a Sanctioned Event on the now-named CPG International Series with it becoming a staple part of the schedule. The strong friendships and business values that exist, make BlackSeaRama worthy winners of the Special Recognition Award.

“It is a great honour for us to receive this award and I would like to thank the CPG for not only this recognition but also the great partnership we have had throughout these years,” said BlackSeaRama’s Sales Manager, Delyana Davidova who collected the award at the CPG Annual Awards Supported By Rolex on behalf of everyone at the resort.

“This year we had our 15th anniversary, so this is a great recognition of our efforts to continuously upgrade the event and bring more and more Professionals from around the world to Bulgaria.

“PGA Professionals and their PGAs are very important to our business – we see a lot of Professionals who take part in the Pro-Am coming back over the years and being very loyal to the event and the club, but also bringing new players with them and in to Bulgaria in general so we really value them. We also see Professionals returning for golf camps and coaching trips, a testament to our exceptional facilities and hospitality.”

BlackSeaRama’s championship links course was the first signature design in Bulgaria and the first Gary Player Project in Eastern Europe. It sits 200m on atop the cliffs looking out to the Black Sea and the course and clubhouse have won various awards since it opened in 2008, including Golf Inc’s ‘best new course in the world’ in 2009.

Bulgaria as a golf destination has continued to grow substantially over the past few decades, attracting players of all types to both the Cape Kaliakra region and closer to the country’s capital, Sofia, as more courses have been, and continue to be, developed. The Pro-Am also sees players sample the neighbouring courses that share the Black Sea coast in the form of Thracian Cliffs Golf Resort and Lighthouse Golf Resort making for a varied and exciting experience for the Pro-Am’s guests.

“15 years ago, golf was just starting as a sport in Bulgaria, making its first steps. The management of the resort decided that the best way to develop the game was to bring experienced Professionals and amateurs into the country to play alongside our local players.

“Through the Pro-Am, they helped to put Bulgaria on the international map of golf. We count on the support of the CPG, its Member PGAs and their PGA Professionals to help us in this ongoing process – so our goal is more than 43 teams next year…!”

Find Out More @ https://cp.golf/2023lpsummit

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With thanks to the CPG Annual Awards Partners – Rolex and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT].

CPG ANNUAL AWARDS SUPPORTED BY ROLEX

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PGA of Holland Professional, Iain Forrester, is the latest recipient of the CPG’s 5-Star Professional Award recognising his excellence in the profession, in particular around the preservation of the game’s history.

Presented at the 2023 CPG Annual Awards Supported By Rolex, the 5-Star Professional Award has an elite group of past winners in its history with less than 100 PGA Professionals receiving the award since it began in 1992.

Whilst Forrester has been Head Professional of Golf & Country Club Hoenshuis for 36 years, he has also been instrumental in reintroducing hickory clubs to modern golfers, and has dedicated his time to preserving the enduring elegance and tradition of the sport.

Not only is he an example of a prominent PGA Professional that has coached golf to thousands of players, supported his fellow PGA Professionals and operated golf facilities, but he is also committed to maintaining the roots of golf and his extensive knowledge in the field set him apart as a distinguished professional in the golf community.

“I’ve had a long career in golf, but I was not expecting to be recognised in this way,” said Forrester on receiving his awards as part of the 2023 CPG Learning & Performance Summit at Fontana, Austria.

“There’s a lot of deserving people in European golf, so I was delighted to hear that I’d been nominated and then to win and be featured publicly like this is a real honour.

“I think a PGA Professional needs to have a diverse skillset – a jack of all trades and a master of one or two. That’s what I’ve tried to do with my career, to be as flexible as possible, learn as many skills as possible and then have a niche that separates you from others.”

This niche is focused on the maintaining and preserving the history of golf and in particular the way it was played in the past with wooden hickory clubs. His own expertise and work includes supplying hickory equipment for collectors and players in events, carrying out clinics, lecturing and presenting and even writing about hickory and golf history in general in articles and books.

In addition to his work with hickory clubs, Forrester is also celebrated for his role as an archivist for the PGA of Holland

in producing their centenary book that will commemorate the organisation’s 100th anniversary in 2024, and is also a member of the Dutch Golf Federation’s heritage committee. His multifaceted contributions to the golf industry exemplify the spirit of the 5-Star Professional Award.

“We at the PGA of Holland were delighted to nominate Iain for the 5 Star Professional Award due to his relentless dedication to golf’s heritage and his role in reintroducing hickory clubs to a new generation of golfers demonstrate a profound passion for the sport,” said Arian Mortier, Chairman of the PGA of Holland.

Whilst Forrester’s passion for keeping the history and traditions of golf alive came from his own family history, he strongly believes in ensuring the sport evolves in a modern way too: “I’m the fifth generation of golfer in my family – I’ve got clubs hanging on my wall that my grandfather used to win championships 100 years ago – and that’s how I got interested in the history.

“Golf has a 5-or-600 year history, and the values of golf have developed over hundreds of years. Tradition is very important, but also tradition shouldn’t be something you get to hang up on – it develops as well. So you have to bring the tradition into the modern age. People laugh at me sometimes because I sometimes coach people with hickory clubs on a TrackMan…but that’s the way I think tradition and history should be – something that evolves.”

Find Out More @ https://cp.golf/2023lpsummit

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With thanks to the CPG Annual Awards Partners – Rolex and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT].

CPG ANNUAL AWARDS SUPPORTED BY ROLEX

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Matthew Tipper, renowned coach to Adrian Meronk and acclaimed short game specialist, has become the latest recipient of the CPG’s highest coaching award, the John Jacobs Award for Teaching & Coaching.

The prestigious award, presented at the 2023 CPG Annual Awards Supported By Rolex – for which Tipper was nominated for by the PGA of Poland – is given to coaches that demonstrate exceptional skill, dedication, and impact in the field of golf coaching, with Tipper joining a who’s who list of past winners, including Phil Kenyon, Michael Bannon, Sergio Bertaina, Neil Manchip and Eduardo Celles.

“The shock has only slowly worn off…and it’s just an incredible honour. Any time you’re mentioned in the same breath as Mr. John Jacobs, I think you have to take a step back for a while and think about it,” said PGA of Poland and PGA of Great Britain & Ireland Member on receiving the award at the Gala Dinner that capped-off the CPG Learning & Performance Summit at Fontana Golf in Austria.

“He’s the godfather of golf instruction. He’s the one who started it. He’s the reason why we have a career. I’m just incredibly proud, and I’m very grateful to CPG and the PGA of Poland for giving me this incredible honour.”

Having worked all over the world as a coach, it was 2010 when he moved to Poland to open a David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Toya Golf and Country Club in Wrocław. It was there where he worked with top juniors in the country, including the now multi-event winner and Olympian, Adrian Meronk.

Tipper has supported Meronk for 14 years on the way to four DP World Tour wins, a successful Continental European Team performance in the Hero Cup, and his representation of Poland in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Tipper was able to be part of Meronk’s coaching setup in Tokyo making for a coaching experience reserved only for a select number of coaches in the world, and was even invited to take the Olympic Oath for Team Polska.

“It made absolute sense for us to nominate Matthew for this award,” said recently elected PGA of Poland President, Piotr Owczarek.

“Ever since he arrived in Poland over a decade ago, Matthew has made every effort to support both Polish amateurs and Professionals through his coaching work and has had a significant impact on golf in our country, especially in the form of his support of Adrian who has helped to put Polish golf on the map. We hope to keep working with Matthew to the benefit of our PGA Members, and for the good of golf and its players in Poland.”

Tipper’s Professional and amateur players boast over 50 national and international titles, and, since joining up with world-renowned short game expert, James Sieckmann, in 2016 and serving as his European and Australasian tour representative ever since, he has also been actively involved in the wider development of coaching in almost 10 countries through the delivery of training and workshops.

Find Out More @ https://cp.golf/2023lpsummit

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With thanks to the CPG Annual Awards Partners – Rolex and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT].

CPG ANNUAL AWARDS SUPPORTED BY ROLEX

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The CPG’s prestigious Christer Lindberg Bowl has been awarded to Former Ryder Cup Match Director, Edward Kitson, recognising his enormous behind-the-scenes impact upon the development of the Ryder Cup across a career spanning no less than 15 matches.

His Ryder Cup career began just a few weeks before the 1989 Ryder Cup at The Belfry, UK, and developed into the role of Match Director which he fulfilled from the 2010 matches at Celtic Manor through to Whistling Straits in 2021. Most recently he assumed the role of Match Director for the hugely successful 2023 Junior Ryder Cup staged at Golf Nazionale and Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, Italy.

Kitson collected the award that recognises significant and impactful service to golf at 2023 CPG Annual Awards Supported By Rolex that took place at Fontana in Austria, as part of the CPG Learning & Performance Summit:

“It’s a great honour and I am incredibly humbled to win this award following on from so many illustrious past winners. It’s all about the team of colleagues that I’ve been lucky enough to work with on the delivery of the Ryder Cup for many years. I’ve had great times with them, and when it comes to the Ryder Cup itself, then when it finishes on Sunday it’s the relief and the enjoyment we all have right at the end that makes it so special.”

Starting off as a caddie for Professionals Bill Longmuir and Barry Lane, Kitson was able to work as a runner during the Volvo PGA Championship at Wentworth after which he was offered the opportunity to work on the 1989 Ryder Cup. Since then, along with roles inside European Tour Properties and European Golf Design, he has been a part of the Ryder Cup makeup and Championship Management Department across a huge number of events.

1997 marked a large step in his Ryder Cup journey by taking on the role of Staging Director for the Valderrama Ryder Cup and he has since gone on to be a significant influence in the development of the matches in general.

Elements such as the spectator experience, hospitality, transport and logistics, venue management and even the golf course itself have been elevated to a level that sees the Ryder Cup as one of the top sporting events in the world and a significant lasting legacy of his impact on the event.

2018 was a clear highlight of his Ryder Cup career where, as Match Director, he led Ryder Cup Europe to host a game-changing event under his leadership. 2023 saw a change of role, but the same hugely successful delivery of the Junior Ryder Cup where Team Europe won the event for the first time since 2004.

Kitson joins a significant list of recipients – many of whom he worked with both at Ryder Cup Europe, the European Tour and through the various matches he was a part of – such as Neil Coles, Emma Villaceiros, Jaime [Jimmy] Ortiz-Patino, John Jacobs, George O’Grady, John Paramor, as well as other key figures in global golf.

Another winner of the Christer Lindberg Bowl Award and current CPG Board Director, Ken Schofield, presented Kitson with the award before the pair were joined by CPG Chief Executive and current Ryder Cup Europe Board member, Ian Randell, in taking part in a Ryder Cup panel discussion that capped off the Gala Awards evening.

“When I joined the European Tour it was less than 30 people and Ken was a great leader,” added Kitson. “He taught me so much of what I know now and how to deal with people. He’s been a wonderful ambassador to the game of golf and it was an honour to receive this award from him.”

Find Out More @ https://cp.golf/2023lpsummit

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With thanks to the CPG Annual Awards Partners – Rolex and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT].

Ladies European Tour [LET] Chair, PGA of Spain Member and President of the WPGA of Spain, Marta Figueras-Dotti, has been named the latest recipient of the CPG’s Christer Lindberg Bowl at the CPG Annual Awards Supported By Rolex for her services to the sport.

Joining a prestigious group including names such as Annika Sörenstam, John Paramor and Emma Villacieros, Figueras-Dotti is honoured for her work across her career in supporting and developing golf in both Spain and internationally, particularly in women and girls golf, as a coach, a player and a leader in the sport.

“These are the moments that are very special because that gives me the strength and the desire to keep working on the things that I’m doing and keep working on golf in Europe,” said Figueras-Dotti of the award.

“I think there have been some great moments in my career. Obviously some trophies won and things like that – but I have had some great experiences as a coach such as going to the Olympic Games in Rio, and as part of teams such as being involved with Solheim Cup for so many times.

“But I definitely have the ‘baby’ of mine which is bringing the Solheim Cup to Spain, which was a huge, tremendous effort. So, although I’m not planning to quit anytime soon, I would like to be remembered as somebody that has really given back to the game of golf in general, not only in Spain, but in Europe.”

Since 2018, Figueras-Dotti has led the Ladies European Tour and overseen its growth, including the joint venture partnership with the LPGA that is elevating women’s professional golf worldwide with expanded schedules and substantially larger prize funds. She has earned recognition as one of Spain’s Top-100 Women in Sports alongside LET CEO, Alexandra Armas, and a Gold Medal from the Madrid Golf Federation.

Hailing from a golfing family where her father was the President of the Real Federación Española de Golf, Figueras-Dotti became the first Spanish woman to receive a sports scholarship and studied at the University of Southern California.

As an amateur, she achieved team successes and won the 1982 Women’s British Open at Royal Birkdale, a feat not matched by another amateur since. Later that year she turned professional and then went on to win six events on the LPGA Tour, LET, and Symetra Tour, co-founded the Legends Tour in the USA, and have top-five finishes in two major championships. She has also played vital team roles, including Captain of the Junior Solheim Cup European Team five times and was Vice-Captain for the 2017 Solheim Cup alongside Annika Sörenstam.

Figueras-Dotti’s extensive experience in high-performance golf led her to coaching roles with national teams since the early 2000s. She coached the National Amateur Team and was the Women’s 2016 Olympic Coach for Spain, is the Director of Coaching at the Golf Federation of Morocco, and also founded and directs the Golf Coaching Academy in Madrid.

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For more information on the CPG Annual Congress visit https://cp.golf/2022AnnualCongress.

With thanks to the CPG Annual Awards Partners – Rolex, the Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT], Aegean Airlines and Costa Navarino.

Images courtesy of Ladies European Tour / Tristan Jones / Marta Figueras-Dotti

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PGA of Spain Member and first coach to Jon Rahm, Eduardo Celles, has received the CPG’s prestigious John Jacobs Award for Teaching & Coaching, acknowledging his extensive work with players of all abilities across his career.

The award, presented at theCPG Annual Awards Supported By Rolex, is named in honour of the late John Jacobs and given to outstanding golf coaches that have made an enduring impact on the sport. Celles exemplifies this through both his role at his own academy with beginners and juniors, all the way through to his work with national team players, and of course not least to recent men’s world number one player, Jon Rahm.

“I owe this award to all my students; from those who take 100 shots to number one in the world,” said the former PGA of Spain Vice President. “I try to give them a lot of love, my trust, and accompany them on their golf path, because golf is like life with ups and downs, and a golf professional is someone very personal for those students.

“I’ve been a PGA Member for 32 years and for me being a golf professional is my life…it is in the blood. I think that Spain produces some of the best teachers thanks to the PGA and its activities. I am very proud to belong to the PGA of Spain.”

Celles is a third generation PGA Professional who follows in the footsteps of his grandfather who won the Spanish Open in 1945, Carlos Celles Molina, and then his father who was also a legendary golf coach and a former CPG 5-Star Professional Award Winner, Carlos Celles Potente:

“My father who passed away last year would have been very proud to see this as he was a friend of, and competitor with, John Jacobs. Winning this award is a great tribute to my father…the truth is that I am very proud and happy to receive this important award.”

Having operated his own academy near Bilbao for over 25 years that is known for its golf development efforts and producing good players, plus being renowned for his exceptional work ethic and expertise, Celles has become a highly sought-after coach that has helped to teach thousands of students in his career already.

Celles’ career as a PGA Professional took a significant turn when he began working with Jon Rahm at the young age of 13 after having coached Rahm’s mother who suggested Celles also give lessons to her son who had shown promise. As the architect of Rahm’s swing, Celles has played a pivotal role in shaping the golf superstar into the world-class player he is today

His coaching endeavours have also included work with several national team members, national and European champions, and touring professionals such as Harang Lee or Javier Saiz.

“For us it is a great honour to have Eduardo Celles as a Member of the PGA of Spain, and the John Jacobs Award is well deserved,” said President of the PGA of Spain who nominated Celles for the award, Ander Martínez.

“Eduardo is an example PGA Professional, who has dedicated countless hours to helping individuals of all ages and skill levels improve their game, and this award is recognition of his hard work and dedication. His passion for the sport and commitment to his students is truly inspiring, and we have no doubt that Eduardo will continue to make a positive impact on the golf community for years to come. We are very proud.”

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For more information on the CPG Annual Congress visit https://cp.golf/2022AnnualCongress.

With thanks to the CPG Annual Awards Partners – Rolex, the Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT], Aegean Airlines and Costa Navarino. 

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Recognising the substantial impact on Belgian golf and his outstanding playing career, Flory Van Donck has posthumously been awarded with the CPG’s Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the CPG Annual Awards Supported By Rolex.

In his day Van Donck was known as one of the finest players in the world, winning over 60 tournaments, finishing second in The Open Championship twice, and flying the flag as a spearhead for the growth of golf in Belgium through both playing professionally and latterly as a coach.

The Award was presented to Van Donck’s daughter, Claudine Van Donck [pictured, below left], and granddaughter, Barbara Laets [pictured, below right] by CPG Chairman, Frank Kirsten, at the Royal Golf Club de Belgique.

“My father would have been very honoured with this recognition, but he was also a very humble man so would like have also been a bit shy about it,” said Claudine. “I remember he had many, many trophies in our attic wrapped in newspaper as he was too modest to show them.”

“We are proud that he had such an impact on Belgian golf and very happy that we can continue to remember him in this way,” adds Barbara. “The PGA of Belgium have operated a Memorial Pro-Am in his name since 2017 and it is a wonderful way of ensuring young professionals and golfers know about him and understanding his importance on the Belgian game. This award supports that, and we are very grateful to be able to celebrate him internationally.”

Van Donck is still regarded as Belgium’s greatest player and was widely considered Europe’s best due to his ability to win regularly in British events and win most of the national opens across the continent.

His collection of national opens included the Belgian, Dutch, Italian, French, German, Swiss, and Portuguese, and his most successful year in 1953 saw a total of seven victories that earned him the Harry Vardon Trophy.

His consistency and agility over long periods were evident with two second-place finishes at The Open Championship, at Hoylake to Peter Thompson and at Muirfield to Gary Player, and finishing inside the top 10 eight times in the 1950s. He represented Belgium in the Canada Cup (now the World Cup) on no less than 19 occasions and had the low individual score in the 1960 event to win the Individual World Championship ahead of Sam Snead and Arnold Palmer, and also won the Belgian National title an incredible 16 times.

Following his Canada Cup performance in 1960, Van Donck was awarded the Trophée National du Mérite Sportif, the highest honour Belgian sportsmen can receive in recognition of his achievements in the game, and has since had multiple items exhibited in British Golf Museum at St Andrews.

His coaching career also took him to other countries such as Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland and included a role as a golf coach to the Belgian Royal Family.

“The fact that he was a teaching pro was also very important to him,” added Laets. “When his international career stopped, he started teaching more, and I think passing on his knowledge was extremely valuable to him to share his experiences and continue his passion.”

Van Donck passed away in 1992, and the PGA of Belgium celebrates his life and successes through the Flory Van Donck Memorial Pro-Am that continues to this day.

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For more information on the CPG Annual Congress visit https://cp.golf/2022AnnualCongress.

With thanks to the CPG Annual Awards Partners – Rolex, the Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT], Aegean Airlines and Costa Navarino. 

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Former Managing Director of PING Europe, John Clark, has been named the latest recipient of the CPG Special Recognition Award at the CPG Annual Awards Supported By Rolex for his extensive support of the CPG, Member Country PGAs and their PGA Professionals.

In late 2020 Clark stepped back from PING after 24 years in the role where he oversaw continued growth and development of PING across a broad international territory, and remains as a Board Director for PING Europe and PING Inc. in the USA.

“I am very, very honoured. It feels strange winning an award for myself, to be honest,” said Clark. “Everything I have done for the last 27 years has been on behalf of the Solheim family and for the good of PING. But I feel very proud.

“Whilst we have a base in the UK, we are an international company, so via the CPG we have been able to connect to National PGAs and their individual Members to service the customer, and give them the best clubs they can get, so it has been a natural relationship for us to develop.

“Without the support of PGA Members PING would not be where it is today – we have common interests and goals and that has meant for a truly long-term beneficial relationship on all sides. It has been a pleasure to work with and support the CPG and its Members for such a long time.”

Since the partnership between PING Europe and the CPG began in 2008, Clark has continually provided both personal and organisational support across the CPG’s network with the end goal of ensuring golfers of all abilities play with the best possible equipment.

The CPG partnership is exemplary of many others created throughout his time that support various aspects of the sport including disability golf with EDGA, women’s and junior golf through the Solheim Cup and PING Junior Solheim Cup, as well as his role on behalf of PING as part of the All-Party Parliamentary Golf Group in the UK.

Clark was instrumental in the development of PING’s international business from early on in his tenure, and has fostered the company’s corporate culture that looks at the long-term view both in the care of its staff internally, but also externally to its customers:

“I’d have to thank John Solheim [pictured above] and the rest of the family for the opportunity – within a few days of starting I knew that the culture was something I was very comfortable in,” added Clark. “John’s never given me a financial target; he’s always just told me to take care of the long-term. If you focus on the quality of what you do, the quantity will come.

“It’s a great culture to work in – we still like a challenge, we still want to grow, but we would never put the PING brand at risk. We do not release anything that does not show measurable improvement over previous models, this allows us to maintain our product lifecycles, so they respect the investments made by our customers.”

Along with his continued part-time role with PING, Clark continues with his other passion in rugby as a Chairman of Newark Rugby Union Football Club:

“The main reason I retired is my grandchildren…I was determined not to miss that window of opportunity. So that’s what’s next. I’m also getting involved more in the rugby club as it’s time to put back there as well. But I’ve got to try and find some leisure time in there…my wife would probably tell you I haven’t really retired yet, so that’s my challenge, to try and retire…!”

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For more information on the CPG Annual Congress visit https://cp.golf/2022AnnualCongress.

With thanks to the CPG Annual Awards Partners – Rolex, the Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT], Aegean Airlines and Costa Navarino. 

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The CPG’s coveted 5-star Professional Award has been presented to a legend of the sport in Iceland, Arnar Már Ólafsson, at the CPG Annual Awards Supported By Rolex, recognising his achievements and progressiveness across his career as a PGA Professional. 

Ólafsson was one of the first PGA of Iceland Professionals, and across his career has played a fundamental role in the creation of professional education for Icelandic Professionals, developing a programme that is internationally recognised at the highest level, whilst also working as a coach himself to numerous players, particularly at the elite level.

“It is so amazing, just great, to be recognised, I was not expecting anything like this,” said Ólafsson during the Gala Awards Dinner at Costa Navarino, Greece. “I have been involved in many ways in setting up the educational system, as national coach…I’m always ready to help, always ready to do work, and so I think the PGA of Iceland wanted to thank me with this nomination.

“I have had support from so many people over the years, and of course I had to work hard, but I am proud of what we have done and I’m very thankful that I did this. My advice to young Professionals just starting out would be that it’s really important to just relax, to see what you see, and hear what you hear. Don’t have these built-in beliefs guiding you in the wrong direction. Because if you get a good mentor and good teacher, you just need to relax and let it flow. Then you can start seeing the right things and you will start to do the right things.”

Having been involved with the CPG from its very early stages, Ólafsson worked closely with the organisation and its Member Countries to help create the PGA of Iceland programme that has developed over time to be at the highest level of the European Education Level System [EELS] that recognises national education programmes internationally.

Still overseeing the programme today, Ólafsson [pictured below with PGA of Iceland President, Stefania Valgeirsdottir [right] and General Secretary, Rúnar Arnorsson [left]] has impacted every one of the 60+ PGA Professionals that have graduated the programme since 2008, with the programme being more popular than ever with approx. 50 people currently enrolled.

This direct effect on the professional workforce in the country then extends to touch the golf community overall, something that saw him being awarded with the Golfsamband Íslands [Golf Union of Iceland] gold medal in 2012 for his contribution to the sport in Iceland.

Ólafsson started out as a PGA Professional having graduated in 1991 from the PGA of Sweden and since then has split his roles between Iceland and Germany, working at clubs such as Keilir Golf Club, GKG Golf Club, Gut Düneburg Golf Club and Berlin Wannsee Golf-Landclub.

During this time both as an Iceland National Team Coach and individually, he has worked with a wide variety of golfers, including success with Icelandic players Bjarka Pétursson, Guðmund Ágúst Kristjánsson and Andra Þór Björnsson, and DP World Tour and Challenge Tour players such as Phillip Mejow, all of which has seen him voted as the PGA of Iceland’s Teaching Professional of the year on four occasions.

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For more information on the CPG Annual Congress visit https://cp.golf/2022AnnualCongress.

With thanks to the CPG Annual Awards Partners – Rolex, the Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT], Aegean Airlines and Costa Navarino. 

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Acknowledging the substantial efforts in supporting young golfers that have been displaced by the war in Ukraine, ‘Project Ukraine’ has been awarded the CPG’s 2022 President’s Award for Golf Development at the CPG Annual Awards Supported By Rolex.

The Project has so far delivered on its first aim of bringing players in the Ukrainian Golf Federation’s development pathway back together after being separated across the continent for a development camp in late 2022.

The next step, which is already underway, is the raising of funds for those players in the National programme looking ahead to their post-secondary education opportunities with scholarships that will fund this education.

Project Ukraine was created by an international group of female leaders from The R&A’s Women in Golf Leadership Development Programme – Molly Bullard (Excel Sports Management); Toni Zverblis (England Golf); Joelle Efford (Golf Canada Foundation); Lauren Witherspoon (The R&A); Zoe Thacker (Wales Golf); Emma Corless (Golfbreaks); Polly Clark (Ladies European Tour); Magdalena Villar (Peruvian Golf Federation); and Veronika Rastvortseva (formerly Ukraine Golf Federation) – wishing to provide support the Ukrainian member of the group, Rastvortseva, and her Ukrainian friends and colleagues.

“Words fail me – getting this award, it means a lot for my country, for myself and for my team,” said Rastvortseva who collected the award on behalf of the project at the Gala Awards Dinner at Costa Navarino in Greece. “Everyone invested massive effort towards the camp and towards the support of Ukraine. So I would like to thank all the girls that are part of the initiative, The R&A, Jackie Davidson and mentors, Alison Townson and Jenny Denyer.

“Seeing what was happening in Ukraine at the time, I realised we might be losing golfers because everyone was trying to escape…so it was critical to bring these kids together. My biggest worry was that they were not thinking about dreams….or about normal teenager things…they were always thinking about war.

“We managed to organise the camp so they could get some training, have fun, and help them with their emotional well-being, and it was a huge success. We changed lives – and that’s what we keep hearing from all the players that participated. We really hope to extend the project to more families and juniors, and support more juniors with education.”

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, more than 6.8 million people have fled the country and a third of the population have been displaced. PGA of Ukraine Professionals, Federation employees, members of the golf community and relatives of national team players have lost jobs, homes and in some cases have gone to the front line to fight for their country.

Towards the end of 2022 the Project was able to generate enough funds to for the national junior players and their chaperones to travel to Scotland from across various locations in Europe they had fled to for a week-long camp. The camp provided high-quality coaching and clinics, health and nutrition sessions, mental skills and Rules of Golf workshops, and was followed by the visit to St Andrews where the players were able to meet Rory McIlory, Adrian Meronk and Ryan Fox.

The scholarship fundraising efforts aim to raise enough to for 17 students to pursue their post-secondary education dreams, with all funds being managed and dispersed by The R&A once the individual receives their relevant institution acceptance letter.

To support Project Ukraine then you can donate to the fund at https://cp.golf/3F1N2MH, or contact ProjectUkraine@randa.org to discuss organising an event, inviting juniors to participate in events, fundraising or any other help you wish to offer.

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For more information on the CPG Annual Congress visit https://cp.golf/2022AnnualCongress.

With thanks to the CPG Annual Awards Partners – Rolex, the Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT], Aegean Airlines and Costa Navarino. 

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Two-time winning Solheim Cup Captain and Major Champion, Catriona Matthew, is the worthy recipient of the Confederation of Professional Golf’s [CPG] 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising her outstanding career as a player and as a captain.

READ ALSO: Adventure Continues for Bernard de Bruyckere

The Lifetime Achievement Award was introduced in 2011 and in the same year was posthumously awarded to Seve Ballesteros. Since then, winners have included Alison Nicholas, Bernhard Langer and José María Olazábal, with each being recognised for their success and influence in the sport within their own countries and around the world.

“It is very prestigious to be following on from these fantastic names” commented Matthew, as she received the award at her home club, The North Berwick Golf Club. “I am delighted and honoured to be given this award. It is fantastic recognition for how I have played and performed over the years.

“I have to thank my husband, Graham, who caddied for me for 20 years; to my first Professional and teacher, Jim Hume; and John Chillas, who helped me whilst competing at university. I would also like to thank all the PGAs and Professionals out there – it is you that do the hard work in moulding the future of our sport and the fact that there were 8 different nationalities in this year’s European Solheim Cup team illustrates what a fantastic job you are all doing.”

‘Beany’, as she is affectionately known, boasts a tremendous career in which she has tasted success on both the playing side and the leadership side of the game. Her success started during her amateur career, where she won many international championships and appeared in three Curtis Cup matches. This success translated quickly into the Professional ranks when she earned her LPGA card in 1994 and Ladies European Tour card in 1995 and went on to win various titles that included her standout major victory in the 2009 Women’s British Open.

Individual success has been complemented by representation and victory within team environments for Catriona too, which includes three Women’s World Cup of Golf appearances for Scotland and nine appearances for the European Solheim Cup team, where she amassed the third highest points total for a player in the event’s history, coupled with home and away success as captain in 2019 at Gleneagles and in 2021 at the Inverness Club.

“We are delighted to be able to recognise Catriona with this award for the significant achievements she has had as a player and more recently as a captain” commented CPG Chief Executive, Ian Randell. “This year’s Solheim Cup success for Europe was one of, if not the, highlight of the golfing year and Catriona’s leadership of a team that contained 8 different nationalities from across Europe was truly outstanding. The fondness and respect that Catriona commands across the game is there for all to see and I could not think of a more deserving recipient of this year’s award.”

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PGA of Belgium Member and Chief Executive, Bernard De Bruyckere, has been awarded the CPG 5-Star Professional Award in recognition of his 30+ years in the sport and his hugely significant role in the development of the PGA of Belgium and its Members.

READ ALSO: CPG Special Recognition Award Goes to Golf Pride

The 5-Star Professional Award looks to recognise the best in the business – individuals who exhibit the key characteristics of what being a PGA Professional represents and have shown excellence across the many areas of expertise and activity that PGA Members are involved in.

De Bruyckere, who celebrated 30 years of service to the PGA of Belgium in early December, has demonstrated this perfectly throughout his career in areas such as coaching, administration, refereeing, education and development, to name but a few.

“It is a huge moment,” said De Bruyckere who received the award at the CPG Annual Awards Supported by Rolex, held at Penina Hotel & Golf Resort. “To be nominated by your own PGA and Board and get recognition from the CPG, who now represent 43 countries worldwide, is amazing – I am very proud.

“It has been an adventure. When I started there were no computers, smartphones…not even the Euro! So to see the evolution of the game and the technology that surrounds it has been an incredible experience. Being a PGA Professional is a true challenge as you are dealing with so many different people and you have to find many solutions to a range of complex problems.”

De Bruyckere began working as a golf instructor during his military service and comes from a long line of golfers, with his Grandfather a greenkeeper at Royal Zoute Golf Club and his Father an Assistant Professional in their own rights.  At the age of just 24, he became the youngest golf manager in Belgium at that time.

His move to the administrative side of the sport occurred when he became treasurer for the PGA of Belgium, going on to assume the General Secretary position in 1994, where he has been ever since. As the first PGA of Belgium Professional to pass The R&A rules school, he has also officiated many national tournaments and CPG [formerly PGAs of Europe] events, such as the PGA Professional Championship of Europe, Fourball Championship and Beko Classic Pro-Am.

Bernard continues to have a significant impact on the education of PGA of Belgium Professionals and those further afield through his vision for, and development of, the association’s training and education programme.

CPG Chairman, Frank Kirsten, commented: “It is a great pleasure to have been able to award this honour to my great friend, Bernard.  We have known each other for many years and I cannot think of anyone more fitting to receive this recognition, considering the role he has played in developing PGA of Belgium members and PGA Professionals further afield too.”

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The Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG] celebrate Golf Pride’s commitment to supporting the Association, PGAs and PGA Professionals with the 2021 CPG Special Recognition Award.

READ ALSO: Stéphane Damiano Receives 2021 John Jacobs Award for Teaching & Coaching

Represented by Key Accounts Manager EMEA, Craig Watson, Golf Pride was presented with the award at the 2021 CPG Annual Awards Supported By Rolex at Penina Hotel & Golf Resort. The US-based golf grip company joins an exclusive list of previous winners including Duncan Weir, Theodore Vassilakis, Mustafa Koç, Samuel Ryder, and Renton Laidlaw.

On receipt of the award, Watson said: “As a proud partner of the CPG, we are very pleased to have received this recognition for the work that Golf Pride have done with the organisation’s collective membership to support their PGA Professionals over the past 23 years.

“PGA Professionals fulfil hugely significant roles within golf clubs and facilities, that can often have anything from five to six hundred members at each, so we strongly view club regripping as an integral part of any successful golf retail business. We will continue to help educate and support the workforce of the game in the best way that we can.”

“Golf Pride have been a fantastic supporter of the CPG, our Member Countries and their collective PGA Professionals over the many years that we have been partners in golf together” commented CPG Chief Executive, Ian Randell

“Golf Pride recognise the importance of the PGA Professional and in providing the appropriate education and support to enable them to flourish. Our partnership with Golf Pride has, and continues to be, one that we are hugely proud of and we are delighted to be recognising their impact through this award.”

For over seven decades, Golf Pride have been the global leader in golf grip innovation and technology, and has laid claim to more major wins than any other grip company on Tour. It has been a partner of the Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG] for over two decades and continues to play an important role in supporting the industry, PGAs and PGA Professionals internationally.

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The Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG] are delighted to recognise PGA of France Member Professional, Stéphane Damiano, with the 2021 John Jacobs Award for Teaching & Coaching for his extensive role in nurturing the next generation of golfing talent in France.

READ ALSO: Stefan Quirmbach Honoured with Christer Lindberg Bowl

Created in 2011 to honour one of the most pre-eminent coaches of all time – John Jacobs, OBE, the award recognises individuals for their significant contributions and achievements as golf coaches, and boasts a glittering list of teaching pioneers to have previously received the award including the first Frenchman to do so in 2012 in Dominique Larretche, as well as Phil Kenyon, Neil Manchip and last year’s recipient, Ulrich Eckhardt.

Credited as being the coach that supported the early development of one of France’s most successful and vibrant players in Victor Dubuisson, and as the nephew of the 1993 5-Star Professional Award recipient, Michel Damiano, Stéphane Damiano holds a strong and established reputation throughout French golf. Stéphane now runs the highly-acclaimed Prime Golf Academy, situated at Royal Mougins Golf Resort in the South of France, which provides young people with world class golf coaching and academic teaching to support their progress and development towards excellence in golf and wider academic life.

Damiano received the award at the CPG Annual Awards Supported by Rolex, held at Penina Hotel & Golf Resort, earlier this month: “I am very honoured in becoming the second French recipient of this award and to have been nominated by the PGA of France, as I am so passionate about teaching golf and working with young people to support their golf and academic development.”

“It is an honour to be awarding this year’s John Jacobs Award for Teaching & Coaching to Stéphane Damiano for his incredible work and for the far-reaching impact that he has created for French golf” commented CPG Chief Executive, Ian Randell.

“As the sport’s leading influencer, PGA Professionals form the very heart of golf coaching and are at the fore when it comes to developing the next generation of golfers across all skill levels and walks of life. In this regard, Stéphane is an exemplary individual and golf coach whom is responsible for enhancing the lives of many young people through the vehicle of golf and is a credit to the PGA of France.”

Located 20 minutes from Cannes and set up in 1990 by Damiano himself, Prime Golf Academy is a highly-acclaimed golf school and academy that offers aspiring and talented individuals the opportunity to pursue their dreams of becoming a professional golfer or gaining a scholarship in the US, whilst also obtaining a range of full time and post graduate academic qualifications as well. At the core of Prime Golf Academy’s mission is providing each of its students with the necessary tools to help them grow as individuals and pursue their golfing dreams.

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Former President of the PGA of Germany, Stefan Quirmbach, has been awarded the 2021 Christer Lindberg Bowl for his vision and contributions towards the development of professional golf and the PGA of Germany.

LISTEN: The Spin Podcast with Stefan Quirmbach

READ ALSO: 2021 President’s Award for Golf Development

Quirmbach held the position of PGA of Germany President for over two decades, during which time he led the organisation towards becoming one of the largest and most established PGAs internationally, that now holds an influential voice in golf and sport in the country.

A PGA of Germany Member Professional himself, Quirmbach’s astute leadership and continued drive has ensured that the PGA of Germany could sustain and grow its business to deliver the highest possible standards of education and support services to its Members. Now retired in this role as President, Stefan focuses his time and efforts on managing his successful golf school in Hardenberg.

On receiving the Christer Lindberg Bowl during the Confederation of Professional Golf’s [CPG] Annual Awards Supported by Rolex – adding to the 5-Star Professional Award that he won in 1996 – Quirmbach commented: “It is a privilege and an honour to be receiving the Christer Lindberg Bowl. I am most proud of the fact that this award represents the work that I and the team at the PGA of Germany have done over the years to position our PGA of Germany Members as key influencers in the sport.

“Through our development of the education programme in Germany, we are creating highly educated golf Professionals that golf clubs and facilities now rely on and look to for guidance on a daily basis. If I was to point towards one thing that this award recognises, then this would be it.”

Chief Executive of the CPG, Ian Randell, said: “It is a great pleasure to be honouring Stefan in this way. Over the course of his presidency, Stefan has worked closely with Rainer Goldrian and his team to significantly enhance the PGA of Germany’s structure, education and other activities for the betterment of their PGA Members. As a staunch and passionate advocate for the game, he has created a legacy that will continue to positively impact golf in Germany for decades to come.”

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In acknowledgement for its ongoing development activity and delivery of global projects and initiatives related to golf for the disabled, EDGA has been awarded the CPG’s 2021 President’s Award for Golf Development at this year’s CPG Annual Awards supported by Rolex.

EDGA [formerly the European Disabled Golf Association] is a volunteer organisation that aims to make the sport more inclusive for players with disability at every level, through the promotion and delivery of opportunities to sample, participate and compete in golf. It also advises and works with major stakeholders in the game including The R&A, The International Golf Federation, The European Tour and The European Golf Association on various issues related to golf for the disabled.

The President’s Award, which recognises outstanding golf development programmes, initiatives and grassroots projects, was presented to EDGA President, Tony Bennett: “To receive this award on behalf of EDGA and the team of volunteers that work so hard for the organisation and for golf for the disabled is humbling.

“This award vindicates our longstanding work to create change in golf for the disabled, build awareness about it and create pathways to sample, participate and compete in the sport regardless of ability. To be receiving this recognition from a highly respected golf organisation in the CPG is incredible and I offer my thanks to them for this award.”

CPG Chief Executive, Ian Randell, commented: “Just recently at the EDGA Dubai Final, we saw a glimpse of the incredible and far-reaching work that EDGA is involved with around golf for the disabled, as well as getting to hear about the many inspiring stories from the golfers and in turn, the shared support they have for the organisation with the opportunities it has provided them in golf too.”

“Tony and the team of volunteers at EDGA are doing a terrific job to deliver the message of golf being for everybody, particularly in the area of golf for the disabled, so I could not think of a more worthy recipient of the 2021 edition of this award than EDGA.”

Additional to working alongside the DP World Tour to deliver its globally televised events, EDGA has designed and implemented coach education programmes for delivery in rehabilitation centres, hospitals and golf clubs internationally, as well as creating protocols for tournament administration, definitions of impairment and other programmes too. All of these initiatives are available to EDGA members and are designed to grow the number of golfers with disability around the world.

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For the first time in two years, the Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG] will bring together representatives from its 43 Member Countries for the Annual Congress and International Team Championship [ITC] hosted by Penina Hotel & Golf Resort and supported by Turismo de Portugal, Turismo do Algarve and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust.

The Annual Congress is a fabulous environment for sharing knowledge across National PGAs and collaborating on activities outlined in the CPG’s five-year strategic plan – CPG Thrive – that is built on the guiding principles of Togetherness, Collaboration and Development to enable the strength and influence of the organisation’s collective membership to thrive.

Chief Executive of the CPG, Ian Randell, gave comment on the news: “Whilst staging a virtual congress in 2020 was hugely successful, it just cannot compare to the opportunity to spend time with the leadership, both in and out of the conference room, from across our 43 Member Countries. Furthermore, the International Team Championship has been an integral part of our tournament schedule since 1989, so the opportunity for PGA Professionals to compete in this prestigious championship was also sorely missed last year.”

“We are hugely excited to be returning to Penina and the Algarve and our thanks go to the Turismo de Portugal and Turismo de Algarve for their fantastic support in bringing this to fruition”

Located in the Algarve region of Portugal and two hours from the country’s capital Lisbon, Penina Hotel & Golf Resort provides an idyllic location to host the series of seminars, presentations and delegate activities that are synonymous with the Annual Congress.

Penina’s 18-hole championship golf course, dubbed ‘The Home of Portugal Golf’ will also offer an enticing stage for the ITC. In its 32^nd edition, the tournament provides some of the CPG’s Member Countries’ best PGA Professionals with the opportunity to represent their country in a team format.

Regional Director of Sales for JJW Hotels & Resorts, Pedro Garcia e Costa, said: “It is a great pleasure to once again host the CPG’s Annual Congress and International Team Championship. Historical Penina has hosted so many professional golf events over the years, so Golf is on our DNA. That is why we are very proud to be staging this event and supporting the CPG on their mission to bring their members and industry representatives together and better the golf industry.”

Find out more about Penina Hotel & Golf Resort at Penina.com and more on visiting Portugal and the Algarve at VisitPortugal.com.

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Originally beginning his career as a playing professional, Tony has gone on to carve out a distinguished career that spans five decades in golf, which has covered many facets of the game and had long-lasting impacts.

His diverse and far-reaching resumé includes roles as a club professional, golf course owner, National Coach [with winners on both the European Tour and Ladies European Tour], Director of Education and Membership for the PGAs of Europe, and now Head of Disability and Inclusion for the International Golf Federation [IGF] – his current role. This all sits alongside his leadership of the European Disabled Golf Association [EDGA], as its President.

“It is very humbling to be granted such an award, especially when you see the previous list of winners. I have been very fortunate to have spent a lifetime in golf and there are a lot of people who have helped me on this journey”, commented Bennett.

Tony has received recognition for his work, including the Order of Merit medal from the former President of the Republic for Portugal, Dr. Jorge Sampaio, for his contribution to sport, being awarded the title of ‘PGA Master Professional’ in 2007, and being recently granted honorary membership of the PGA of GB&I in 2020.

“Outstanding is the only word to describe Tony’s list of achievements and contribution to the golf industry” commented CPG Chief Executive, Ian Randell.

“Tony’s impact on the game and CPG have been guided by his determination to truly make a difference. He has been part of our Association as both a volunteer and a member of staff for several decades, where his vision and expertise has been pivotal in shaping our education framework, not least through the European Education Level System (EELS), as well as guiding our membership and helping to elevate our position as leaders in the provision of golf development expertise around the globe. We are delighted to be able to thank him with this award as he continues to drive progress in our sport.”

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