John Barnett, PGA Professional at Royal St. David’s Golf Club, Wales, was named the Confederation of Professional Golf 5-Star Professional at this year’s Annual Congress Gala Awards Dinner, at Hotel Vila Galé Lagos, Portugal.
The 5-Star Professional Award looks to honour an individual that is an outstanding example of what makes a great PGA Professional, embodying the values of the PGA and excelling in many of the varied aspects that make up being a PGA Professional.
Barnett is no exception to this having shone in the fields of tournament play, captaincy and leadership, education and coaching, Distinguished and innovative administration, as well as aiding golf development.
——– Watch John Barnett’s acceptance speech video below ——–
Just a few of his achievements include his tournament play in which he qualified for the Open Championship at Carnoustie in 1975, and then won two Welsh Seniors Championships in 2001 and 2007; his contribution to the professional game being Chairman of the PGA of GB&I North Region Committee for 10 years, followed by his two years as Captain of the PGA of GB&I, as well becoming Captain of the PGA in Wales in 2001; his contribution to Wales as a whole in aiding the selection of Celtic Manor as the 2010 Ryder Cup host venue; as well as being at the heart of Royal St. David’s Golf Club in Wales for 35 years.
“I had a bit of a shock when I got the email about this award, so I’d just like to make a few thank you’s” Barnett said. “I’d like to thank Royal St David’s for putting up with me for nearly 36 years…I’d like to thank my wife…Andrew who played today [in the ITC], and Jane my daughter – thank you all very much for this wonderful honour.”
The variation and impact of Barnett’s contribution means he is a deserving winner of the award, made even more special by the fact he was nominated by his peers at the PGA of Great Britain & Ireland.
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The Confederation of Professional Golf Annual Congress Gala Awards Dinner also included the presentation of the following awards:
Lifetime Achievement Award – Tony Jacklin CBE
President’s Grow the Game Award – Peter Ball
The John Jacobs Coach of the Year Award – Dominique Larretche
Special Recognition Award – Leif Ohlsson
Christer Lindberg Bowl – Glenmuir
For updates, information and news from the Annual Congress 2012, visit the Annual Congress Hub Page, follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter, or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.
The 2012 Congress is supported by Glenmuir, Associaçäo Turismo do Algarve, Hotel Vila Galé Lagos, Onyria Palmares Beach and Golf Resort, Rolex and the European Ryder Cup Development Trust – For more information on our partners, visit http://bit.ly/SkAMWD.