New PGA captain takes office

Long-serving PGA Professional Neil Selwyn-Smith has taken on the prestigious role of PGA Captain – following in the footsteps of golf legends Max Faulkner, Sir Henry Cotton and Peter Alliss.

The honour comes as the Birmingham-born professional celebrates a career in the golf industry spanning 50 years.

Selwyn-Smith, who was 67 last month lives in Bromsgrove, succeeds Eddie Bullock and is relishing the prospect of taking on the role after spending the last two years as captain-elect.

“I love the game and it encompasses so much that is good in the human spirit,” said Selwyn-Smith, who officially took on the two-year role at today’s Annual General Meeting at The PGA’s Belfry headquarters at Centenary House.

“The last two years as vice captain have been very interesting and I am looking forward to being an ambassador for The PGA and my fellow PGA Professionals.”

Selwyn-Smith, a PGA Master Professional, began as an assistant professional at Cocks Moor Woods Golf Course, in Birmingham. He spent 15 years at Edgbaston Golf Club, the majority as head professional, where he was among the pioneering professionals to embrace overseas golf trips.

He designed Henley-in-Arden Golf Course and latterly ran a successful corporate travel company including annual excursions to The Open Championship.

Currently, Selwyn Smith is a PGA Tutor and also lectures on the Applied Golf Management Studies degree, run jointly by The PGA and University of Birmingham. He is also secretary of the Warwickshire PGA – a role he held many years ago.

PGA Chief Executive Sandy Jones said: “Neil has been a long-standing member of the Association and has accomplished many things in the game. He was given the accolade of PGA Master Professional in 2009 - a recognition given only to a few and now he has achieved the position of captain - a recognition achieved by even fewer.

“I look forward very much to working with Neil in his term of office and would also like to take this opportunity to thank and pay tribute to Eddie (Bullock) for his tireless work over the past two years representing the Association as captain.

Bristol Golf Centre’s Nicky Lumb becomes PGA Captain-elect.