Neil Sweeney (1970 - 2021)

The PGA is saddened to report that Neil Sweeney, an Advanced Professional who forged a successful career coaching at home and overseas, has passed away suddenly in Dubai at the age of 50.

Neil began his career on Merseyside and was elected to membership in 1992 after training at Moreton Hills and Brombrough Golf Clubs on the Wirral.

He followed up with a brief spell in Germany before returning to the Wirral to spend five years working at Leasowe Golf Club, the club where he had been the youngest amateur to win its championship.

The lure of working overseas, however, proved strong and Neil returned to Germany in 1997 to take up a coaching role at Pforzheim Golf Club, Stuttgart.

He was back in the UK four-and-half years later, having been appointed manager of golf operations at De Vere Northop Country Park, north Wales.

It was to prove his last role on home soil and, after leaving in 2004, he spent the next nine years coaching at the club that has subsequently become the home of The PGA National Cyprus, Aphrodite Hills, Moscow City Golf Club, Russia, and Niederrautin Golf Club, Germany.

On leaving the latter in 2013, Neil combined working at Elea Golf Club, Cyprus, and Moscow Country Club, Russia, spending six months in each country.

He coached Russia’s national squad and wrote the training manual for the country’s PGA, an assignment that was instrumental in him attaining the status of Advanced PGA Professional.  

Neil is survived by his parents and two sisters and The PGA extends heartfelt condolences to them, his other family members and many friends on their loss.

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