The Confederation of Professional Golf Annual Congress came to a close with a superb Gala Dinner that saw both delegates from the Congress and players from the International Team Championship join together to enjoy dinner and the awards presentation at this year’s Congress host venue, Hotel Vila Galé Lagos.
The final day of the Annual Congress consisted initially of a session with performance coach Jamie Edwards, in which he looked at the role that momentum played on the final day of the 2012 Ryder Cup and how this could specifically relate back to golf, as well as more generally in business and leadership.
After a break the delegates were treated to the second Q&A session of the week, this time with Ryder Cup and European golf legend, Tony Jacklin.
Jacklin took the delegates through his own trials and tribulations when playing in Europe and then onto making his way across the pond to play in the United States. He then looked at how his success in the game as a player lead to his success as a Ryder Cup captain and a leader, as well as the overall effect this has had on the game in Europe.
Luckily for all those attending this was not the last time in the day they would have a chance to hear from the record-breaking Briton.
Jacklin was awarded the highest honour at this year’s Annual Congress and ITC Gala Dinner – receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for his efforts and success in driving the game forward and arguably providing the catalyst for the development of golf as it is today – and once again spoke passionately about his Ryder Cup experiences, as well as his great friend Severiano Ballesteros, who was posthumously awarded the same award at last year’s emotional Congress Gala Dinner.
The evening featured multiple other awards for individuals that have been inspirational in the game:
- President’s Grow the Game Award – Peter Ball
- John Jacbos Coach of the Year Award – Dominique Larretche
- Special recognition Award – Leif Ohlsson
- 5 Star Professional Award – John Barnett
- Christer Lindberg Bowl – Glenmuir
To finish off the evening, Confederation of Professional Golf Chairman, Sandy Jones, gave a speech of thanks and congratulations to all those attending the Congress and ITC and the evening was topped off with a hihglights film of this year’s vEuropean Ryder Cup victory at Medinah to ensure everyone ended their week on a very high note.
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For updates, results 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, the European Ryder Cup Development Trust and Rolex – For more information on our partners, visit http://bit.ly/SkAMWD.