Individuals and organisations from across the continent have been recognised for their contributions to golf, its players and the industry at the 2015 Annual Congress Gala Awards supported by Rolex.

The six award winners were recognised on the European platform of the Association’s Annual Congress Gala Awards Dinner at Gloria Hotels & Resorts in Turkey, along with the official trophy presentation of the 2015 International Team Championship and International Team Shield.

The awards are an opportunity to throw a spotlight on the efforts and work of exceptional individuals and organisations that have benefitted the sport in a variety of ways such as golf development activity, individual playing performances, dedication to the industry, or expertise and passion for coaching in golf.

2015 Award Winners:

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Bernhard Langer – Awarded for exceptional achievements in golf. Read More…
• 5-Star Professional Award: Paul Lawrie – Awarded to a PGA Professional who has excelled in the profession. Read More…
• Christer Lindberg Bowl: IMG (Presented to IMG’s Global Head of Golf, Guy Kinnings) – Awarded to individuals or organisations in recognition for their services to golf. Read More…
• John Jacobs Award for Teaching & Coaching: Neil Manchip – Given to a person who has excelled as a Golf Coach with any types of players be they elite or beginners. Read More…
• President’s Award for Golf Development: Robert Kalkman Foundation (presented to Robert Kalkman Foundation Founder, Robert Kalkman) – Awarded to an individual or project that has significantly contributed to the development of the game. Read More…
• Special Recognition Award: Theodore Vassilakis – Awarded to an individual that has done much to promote golf and/or the activities of the Confederation of Professional Golf. Read More…

The Annual Gala Awards followed on from the main four-day Annual Congress event that brings together a diverse range of representatives from throughout the Confederation of Professional Golf member countries, running simultaneously with the Association’s International Team Championship.

“I am so honoured and blessed to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Confederation of Professional Golf,” said Langer during his acceptance speech shown at the Annual Gala Awards Dinner at Gloria Hotels & Resorts in Turkey.  “I also want to congratulate all of the 21,000+ Professionals across the Confederation of Professional Golf’s membership for what [they] do…and I really appreciate what the Confederation of Professional Golf is doing for the game.”

“Well I must say it’s a great feeling and nice to receive the award,” said President’s Award for Golf Development winner, Robert Kalkman.  “But my special thanks go out to my team – the volunteers, the PGA Professionals, the people from the committee, and the sponsors who have made this a success now and hopefully in the same way in the future.”

For More Information On All of 2015’s Award Winners Visit http://eur.pe/2015AnnualCongress

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For more information and news visit the Annual Congress Hub Page (http://eur.pe/2015AnnualCongress), follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter and search the hashtag ‘#AnnualCongress’ or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

The 2015 Annual Congress and Gala Awards Dinner are supported by Rolex and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust and hosted by Gloria Hotels & Resorts – for more information on the event partners visit http://eur.pe/2015AnnualCongress.

Image Caption: The 2015 Confederation of Professional Golf Gala Award Winners – [L to R] Neil Manchip (John Jacobs Award for Teaching & Coaching), Theodore Vassilakis (Special Recognition Award), Bernhard Langer (Lifetime Achievement Award), Paul Lawrie (5 Star Professional Award), Robert Kalkman (Robert Kalkman Foundation – President’s Award For Golf Development), Guy Kinnings (IMG – Christer Lindberg Bowl) [Photography: Adrian Milledge]