Leadbetter protége among APAL recipients

Stuart Morgan is following in the footsteps of his mentor and PGA Master Professional David Leadbetter after taking his first steps on the APAL ladder.

The 36-year-old from Mill Ride Golf Club is among a number of PGA members whose hard work and career achievements have been rewarded with PGA Advanced Professional status in the latest round of APAL (Accreditation for Professional Achievement and Learning) awards.

Morgan trained under the legendary Leadbetter and has since established a successful coaching career as well as branching into commentary on Sky TV's coverage of the PGA Euro ProTour.

In 2007 he established his own business coaching a host of professional golfers on the European Tour, Ladies European Tour, Asian, Challenge and EuroPro Tour.

Also honoured in the APAL awards are Daniel Field (East Herts) a peer and good friend of Ryder Cup ace Ian Poulter, Sean Clark (Royston), Stewart Franks (Migros Golf Parks), Richard Fyvie (Pumpherston), Andrew Good (Asia Golf), Matthew Parry (Jason Floyd International Junior Academy) and Nicholas Riley (Henbury).

In addition six other members have attained advanced status by completing the PGA Advanced Diploma including Athlone Golf Academy's Liam Duggan who is a former runner up in the Titleist PGA Assistant of the Year awards.

Also earning the diploma were Joel Cant (Newquay), Jill Kinloch (Waldkirch Golfpark), Greg Smith (Walsall), Mark Southern (Neu-Ulm Golf) and Matthew Whall (Coxmoor).

David Colclough, PGA head of member education, commented: "It is good to see there is continuing interest in APAL with more and more members progressing their qualification status upwards to PGA Advanced and beyond.

"These awards are made on the basis of achievements obtained since qualifying, thereby proving their progress as a PGA professional.
"In doing so they are not only meeting their career needs but also the needs of the golf clubs that employ them."