Hammond named TGI Golf Partner of the Year
Peter Hammond, the head PGA Professional at Shanklin & Sandown Golf Club on the Isle of Wight, has won the prestigious TGI Golf Partner of the Year award.
Hammond, a TGI Golf Partner for more than 20 years was crowned at the group’s awards night, held at The Belfry during the group’s two-day Business Conference. He saw off competition from fellow nominees Peter Hanna (Lurgan), Darren Arber (Halifax West End) and David Ross (Royal Aberdeen).
Commenting on the honour, he said: “I’m truly humbled to win this award in the company of so many great PGA Professionals, there’s some real classy guys in this group. I have to say a huge thank you to my A team, including Sarah, my wife and accountant and Chris White my number one assistant. A huge thank you too to the team at TGI Golf for all their hard work in making the TGI Partnership the best partnership in golf.”
Leading figures from the golf industry attended the event where both PGA Professionals and suppliers are recognised for their achievements over the course of the year.
Lee Sutherland from Ron McLeod’s Golf Shop based at Monifieth Golf Links claimed the Pro Shop of the Year award, while Gavin Abson and his team at West Lancs Golf Club won the Marquee Pro Shop of the Year.
James Crawford of Waterlooville Golf Club picked up the Most Improved Business of the Year award, while Lindsay Boyd (Donaghadee Golf Club) was New Partner of the Year.
There was also a special presentation to outgoing TGI Golf managing director Eddie Reid, who the group surprised with the Ian Johnston Lifetime Achievement Award, given to a figure who has gone above and beyond for the group over many years.
Reid said: “For once I’m absolutely speechless, I don’t know how the team have kept this from me. I have loved every minute and every second of my life at TGI and I am handing over to a team who are champing at the bit to get going to move it forward and take it to the next level as we celebrate our 40th year.
“The Partners have made it all worth it there is nothing more gratifying than going into a retailer who wants to learn, wants to get better who wants to move their business forward.
“Thank you to all our suppliers who we have worked so closely with over the years to help our Partners and our businesses move forward.
“Thank you very much for this award and congratulations to all the winners and nominees this year and for everyone’s hard work in pulling this event together.”
The supplier awards, which are voted for by Partners through TGI’s annual Supplier Survey, saw PING claim a hat-trick of honours by winning the Supplier, Hardware and Product of the Year categories, while Peter Millar was named Apparel Supplier of the Yea
Dave Fanning, PING marketing director, said: “The team of engineers at Phoenix will be very proud of this award along with all the staff at PING. We are passionate about product, passionate about retail.
“When we first started working with TGI Golf more than 20 years ago I remember the word ‘trust’ being used and that is how our businesses have worked successfully together for so many years. We trust each other and work very closely together to do the most professional job we can.”
Harnett and Smith win FootJoy-sponsored PGA campaign
Adam Harnett and Anna Smith have won this year’s #FJThanksaPGAPro campaign, a FootJoy-sponsored PGA initiative that celebrates its Professionals who have gone beyond the extra mile in their local community.
The campaign is in its third year and once invited golfers to nominate their PGA Professionals by sharing stories of how they have both inspired and supported them while playing the game.
Harnett, who is based at Blacknest Golf & Country Club, Hampshire, has been described as creating an environment that is the cornerstone within their local golfing community. “Adam is one of the best coaches I have ever worked with,” said one nominator, Stewart Womersley.
“He understands that everyone is different and works to ensure that any changes needed to your game ultimately are going to work for your game and not require you to have the sporting abilities of some of the best golfers in the world. Adam always makes himself available and runs a programme that is flexible and accessible to everyone which is much needed in an age when work life balance is difficult enough as it is.”
Commenting on the award, Harnett said: “As a PGA Professional and coach, I eat, sleep and breathe coaching, so to be recognised by others is a real honour.
“A big thank you to FJ and The PGA as this campaign really shows all PGA Professionals how appreciated they are and that their efforts and dedication do not go unnoticed.”
Smith, based at the London Golf Club in Kent, received nominations for her passion in trying to grow the women’s game. She helped introduce females to the sport by creating an academy and a golf tour.
“Anna has brought together ladies that would never have contemplated playing golf and the camaraderie is growing daily,” said nominator Linda Streat.
“She has created a ladies academy at Darenth Valley Golf Club and the enthusiasm amongst the ladies is fantastic. Anna rightly deserves recognition for a fantastic achievement which is totally as a result of her commitment, dedication, passion and personality.”
Smith said: “What a wonderful surprise. Huge thanks to my lessons who voted for me and to the FJThanksaPGAPro campaign.
“Thank you to FootJoy who have supported me through college, the Ladies European Tour and my time as a PGA coach.”
The winners were selected by a combined FootJoy and PGA panel, with the two winning pros earning themselves a brand-new iPad. The two runners-up, Thomas Wharnock (Norwood Park) and James Wood (Sudbury), will both receive a pair of personalised MyJoys. In addition to this, two randomly selected participants who took the time to nominate their pros will also be rewarded, with them both receiving a FootJoy waterproof suit.
Commenting on the success of the campaign, Robert Maxfield, PGA chief executive, said: “We have been amazed by the number of golfers nominating their PGA Professionals again this year.
“The campaign represents what is a really important collaboration with one of our Principal Partners, FootJoy, and underlines the critical role PGA Professionals play in helping and supporting people of all ages, genders and abilities in taking up golf or improving their game.
“The FootJoy and PGA panel had a difficult decision to make when considering all of the fantastic nominations, and in addition to the two winners I’d like to pay tribute to all those PGA Professionals who were nominated for the tremendous work they do in developing the game.”
Russell Lawes, FJ brand director, said: “FootJoy acknowledges the importance and influence PGA Members have in their local community. To see that for a third-straight year the campaign encouraged more than 1,000 golfers to come forward and nominate their chosen professional was incredible to see.
“It was a difficult decision to only pick two winners, however after reading through the nominations, the panel unanimously agreed that Adam and Anna were deserving victors. I would like the opportunity to once again thank all those who took the time to nominate and recognise their PGA professional in this year’s campaign.”
Region boasts three members of golf’s ruling class
Competitors in this season’s PGA South West events will be well-served for Rules of Golf expertise as all three full-time members of the region’s tournament team are now qualified to referee at Open Championship level.
Regional manager and PGA Professional Rob Moss is a Level Four R&A Certified Referee, while Charlotte Britton and Luke Warren have attained Level Three Certified Referee status and can officiate at elite level tournaments.
Warren, a Tournament Director, and Britton, a Tournament Controller, sat and passed the written exam under The PGA’s auspices in December and have now completed the qualification process by attending the Level 3 Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar (TARS) run by The R&A at St Andrews.
They and delegates from 40 golf federations or governing bodies worldwide attended the three-day seminar which covered a variety of topics relevant to a referee’s role.
“These included agronomy, pace of play, course evacuation and suspension of play, and equipment rulings,” explained Britton.
The seminar also included role play sessions in a conference room that had been converted to house golf course features.
“There was a bunker and penalty area, and qualified referees who adopted the roles of players asked us to give rulings on a variety of scenarios,” Britton added.
“There was also a question-and-answer session with Paul Lawrie, the 1999 Open Championship winner. He gave us a player’s view in respect of the Rules and what they expected from referees.
“Shona MacRae, the R&A’s Director of Rules, also gave a presentation, and that was inspirational.
“In fact, the whole experience was inspirational. As well as enhancing my knowledge of the Rules, the course was so wide-ranging I learned about aspects of the game I hadn’t really considered such as agronomy.
“Add to that spending time in a town steeped in the history of golf and meeting a host of friendly and helpful people, made it an unforgettable experience.
“I was told beforehand it would be a good week, but nothing prepared me for how good it was. I can’t thank The PGA enough for making it possible for me to attend and advise anyone else who gets the chance to grab the opportunity.”
Warren was similarly effusive and added: “Listening to and learning from the experiences of Paul Lawrie, David Rickman, the chief referee at the past 27 Open Championships, and Shona MacRae, was invaluable.
“I can’t wait for the new season to start so that I can put into practice what I’ve learned.”