Parsons named Teaching Professional of the Year

Killinchy (Co Down) born Justin Parsons has been named Teaching Professional of the Year at the Middle East Golf Awards hosted by Sport360.

The 38-year-old, above with Sanjay Malhotra, general manager at the National Bank of Oman, a member of five-time Euro tour winner Michael Hoey's coaching team, topped a 12 person short list via an on-line poll.

Parsons, who began his PGA career working at Knock Golf Club in Belfast, moved to Dubai 10 years ago and is currently the Director of Golf at the Butch Harmon School of Golf at The Els Club in Dubai Sports City.

It is a position that has brought him into contact with a host of the world's best golfers including Rory McIlroy, Trevor Immelman, Dustin Johnson, David Howell, Colin Montgomerie, Peter Uilhein, Brooks Koepka and Gareth Maybin.

“Claude (Harmon) and I talk every week on the phone and Butch sent me a nice text congratulating me for the award. It's great to have those guys available to lean on for advice and support,” said Parsons who is married with one daughter.

Parsons started playing golf at Mahee Island GC before moving to Downpatrick GC and later, when he went to school at Campbell College in Belfast, joining Knock.

His career has taken him from Knock, to Blackwood GC and then in 2004 he began working as an instructor at the academy at The Montgomerie, Dubai.

He quickly progressed to the position of director of instruction, completing three years there before joining Claude Harmon III at the pre-opening phase of The Butch Harmon School.

He was appointed director of golf at the Butch Harmon School in 2010.