The second edition of the Women in Golf Awards took place at Walton Heath Golf Club this week with a number of female PGA Professionals taking centre stage.
One hundred members of the golf industry turned out to celebrate women’s golf at the Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony, with PGA Professional, Nicola Bennett, hosting the ceremony.
The PGA sponsored-award, Female PGA Coach of the Year 2023, was a hotly contested category, receiving over 380 nominations for 35 different coaches, with the shortlisted coaches - Sally Hinton (Close House), Lysa Jones (The Oaks Golf Club) and Denise Hastings (Bedfordshire Golf Club) all in attendance on the night.
Hinton took home the trophy on the night, presented by Tristan Crew, The PGA’s Executive Director - Member Services, having been nominated by Northumberland County Girls’ parents, her beginner and more experienced students as well as The Golf Foundation.
Hinton spoke of the increased visibility of women in golf during her speech: “I'd like to celebrate all the women in the room - I think we can all agree, there’s some fantastic role models here. I'd like to especially mention Denise and Lysa who were also shortlisted. With role models like those we’ve got in the room, there’s going to be lots more women and girls getting into golf. After all, you’ve got to see it to be it, and I believe that visibility of women working in golf and playing golf has never been better than it is today. In The PGA there are now over 300 female PGA Pros and Trainees, and this number is set to grow in coming years. The future really looks bright for women’s golf.”
The Inspirational Achievement of the Year was awarded to the founding members of the first women’s professional golf tour in the UK, in recognition of the bravery they showed in giving up their amateur playing rights, the passion they brought to the game, their camaraderie, and their commitment to inspiring others to take up the sport.
Founding member, Denise Hastings, alongside WPGA Chair, Sarah Bennett, and PGA Director, Tracey Loveys, accepted the award.
Hastings shared special memories of cocktail parties and fun from the early days with the audience, adding: “I’m totally blown away by this. It’s been one hell of a journey and I’m proud to say that the girls playing this week at the AIG Women’s Open are part of the knock-on effect from what we did in the early days and you’ve got to take your hat off to them, those kids can play some golf!”
In the Venue of the Year category, Burnham & Berrow Golf Club came out on top, with the work of their Head Teaching Professional, Nicola Stroud, being credited as a large part of their success.
Alongside members of the club’s R&A Women in Golf Charter Committee, Stroud collected the award on behalf of the club, saying afterwards: “I’m particularly excited as this is for the club as a whole, and I couldn’t do what I do without the backing of the club, who allow me to put forward innovative ideas, support me in running initiatives like love.golf and help drive female participation at the club. I’m so chuffed, so proud to be Head Teaching Professional at Burnham & Berrow, and I can’t wait for our future plans to unfold!”
CLICK HERE to view a full list of winners from the Women in Golf Awards.
