Evans is West’s professional of the year

Peter Evans (Royal Porthcawl) is the PGA Professional of the Year in England & Wales (South West) for 2014.

He received his award at the region’s annual meeting at Woodbury Park, Devon, at the end of a momentous year. The highlight was undoubtedly his deep involvement in staging the British Senior Open Championship at his club in the summer.

But the honour was based on his extensive work with The PGA. He has served on the South Wales committee and the regional committee for more than 15 years, latterly as vice-chairman. He was captain of the region in 2000.

He has been national junior coach of the Welsh Golf Union and Glamorgan coach for 20 years.

Evans, aged 50, started playing at Pyle and Kenfig and first became a Welsh international at the age of 15. He then started his long career with The PGA as an assistant to Graham Poor, a former chairman of the region, at Royal Porthcawl.

An accomplished player he spent six years playing on the European Tour, Sunshine Tour and in regional PGA events before becoming head professional at Kingsdown Golf Club. He twice represented Wales as a player and captain in the PGAs of Europe International Team Championships.

He returned to Royal Porthcawl as head professional after the death of his friend and mentor Graham Poor in a plane crash in 1993.

Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre, Weymouth) was the captain’s player of the year. He won his first Order of Merit crown in more than 20 years and was leading money-winner as well. He won the Dudsbury Masters and Forest Classic and was runner-up at the Marston’s PGA West Region Championship.

In another incredible year of golf he claimed 10 pro-am wins. In probably his finest year to date he made an incredible 262 birdies and 12 eagles. 36 of his 57 tournament rounds were in the 60s and his stroke average was 69.9.

Regional captain Andrew March (Brean) presented a number of other awards recommended by the regional committee to recognise the skills and abilities of PGA Professionals in the West and South Wales.

Mike Davies (Glyn Abbey) was named the PGA Development Professional in England & Wales (South West) for 2014. He had previously received the Golf Foundation’s Sinclair Award in 2014 and another from ISPS Handa for his work with individuals with disabilities.

His impact at the club has been amazing. He increased the membership by 79 per cent in three years. Junior membership doubled over the same period. He taught children with learning challenges and disabilities.

Ten special schools are being coached locally while their families are welcomed to the club.

The PGA in England and Wales (South West) regional secretary Glenn Ross said: “In times when we are bombarded with negative publicity about the state of the game and diminishing levels of participation, Mike is a shining example of the incredible value a PGA Professional can be to their club and the difference that can be made in their local community and help grow the game.”

Neil Holman (Torbay Golf Centre) is the Coach of the Year. His passion for developing the short game, as he did as a youngster in Somerset, led him to both design and build a short game facility at his driving range with his own hands.

Ross said: “Neil is one of many county academy coaches who help young people progress in the game and reach higher levels. Passionate about self-development, despite some personal learning challenges, he has continued to develop his own knowledge in order to help those he works with.

“In a game where often coaches of Tour players and elite players gain most of the limelight it is great to see a coach that helps grow the game, develop and perhaps most importantly retain the day-to-day golfer awarded for his efforts.

“Whilst spending countless hours helping others, including a number of fellow PGA professionals, he still makes time to compete both at a county and regional level.”

James Harraway (Cirencester) was the charity fundraiser of the year.

Inspired by close family tragedy he has committed to raising funds for a variety of cancer charities. He ran three half marathons - The Great North Run, the Swindon and Bristol Half Marathons - in just four weeks, raising funds for Breast Cancer Care. This year he plans to run the London Marathon for Sarcoma UK.