Gallardo honoured by PGA
25/05/2013
Former European Tour and World Cup golfer Angel Gallardo received a special gift during the BMW PGA Championship to mark his past captaincy of The Professional Golfers’ Association.
The Spaniard, Vice Chairman of The European Tour Board of Directors since 1976 and President of PGA European Tour South since 1984, was presented with a commemorative decanter at Wentworth Club having been unable to attend the inaugural Past PGA Captains’ lunch last month.
The Past Captains’ lunch is a new biennial affair instigated by The PGA and designed to celebrate those to have held the ambassadorial role which has a rich history of past incumbents stretching back to James Braid in 1901 and including legends of the game such as Harry Vardon, JH Taylor, Percy Alliss, Sir Henry Cotton Dai Rees and Peter Alliss.
“It’s a great pleasure to be able to present this decanter to Angel,” said PGA chief executive Sandy Jones.
“Angel represented The PGA with great pride and distinction. He, like everyone who has been a captain, has put a foot print on The PGA, their name is on the honours roll and their names will live on as long as Braid, Taylor and Vardon.”
Gallardo said: “I never dreamed that I would be Captain of The PGA and so to be given that honour in 1982 and be only the second non-British golfer to hold the position was very special. That year was very exciting, one that I have never forgotten, and now I am very humble and proud to receive this personalised decanter which I will truly treasure.”
Gallardo, who was captain in 1982, was a member of The European Tour from its inception in 1972. His success in the Italian Open in 1977, when he finished tenth in the Order of Merit, followed numerous previous wins including the Dutch Open (1967), Portuguese Open (1967), Sumrie Clothes Better-Ball (with Maurice Bembridge) (1969), Spanish Open (1970), Mexican Open (1970 and 1973) and Colombia Open (1972). He holds a record of 17 holes in one in European competition.
Gallardo, who will celebrate his 70th birthday in July, has established a successful career as a golf course architect and golf coach and he consults for many international companies.
