PGA Professionals’ feats recognised at awards presentation

04/10/2022

The PGA in England, East celebrated its high achievers when a series of awards were presented on Captain’s Day at Bishop’s Stortford Golf Club.

The awards have been inaugurated this year to highlight the feats and work of the region’s PGA Professionals, both on and off the course.

The East’s chairman Mike Few was on hand not just to hand over the prizes, but also outline why each recipient was a worthy winner.

Beth Scott with Gordon Campbell
Beth Scott (Old Fold Manor) is congratulated on her regional 'Coach of the Year' award by Gordon Campbell, regional manager of The PGA in England, East

Beth Scott (Old Fold Manor Club) secured a deserving success in the ‘Coach of the Year’ category. Beth’s outreach work in local schools as well as her huge contribution to the growth of junior golf within Old Fold Manor also resulted in her being nominated for an England Golf award earlier this year.

Dominic Eagle took the ‘Manager of the Year’ category. The Ingrebourne Links general manager has ensured a strong alliance between the PGA in England, East and his club, which is a long-term sponsor and host of Order of Merit tournaments. In 2022, the superb Essex venue staged our ‘Open Series’ East Anglian Open.

It was another great season for our ‘Trainee of the Year’, Sam Forgan (Felixstowe Ferry). Not only did he secure a maiden Order of Merit triumph in the region at the Colne Valley Classic, but he also won the ‘Open Series’ Midland Open at Oakmere Golf Course in May.

Luke Goddard (Hendon) bagged the overall Order of Merit crown, finishing tied-ninth, first, third and tied-third in the four counting events.

Harry Casey (The Shire London) receives his 'Player of the Year' award from Gordon Campbell, regional manager of The PGA in England, East

But the regional ‘Player of the Year’ award went to Harry Casey (The Shire London) for what was an incredibly consistent and successful campaign in which he claimed eight victories in the region, the last of which arrived just a couple of hours before he was handed his award. Casey shot a four-under round of 67 to finish as leading professional on Captain’s Day.

Casey also claimed second spot on the Order of the Merit and was joint runner-up in the Coca-Cola PGA Assistants’ Championship.

PGA in England, East regional manager Gordon Campbell said: “There have been so many outstanding achievements by the region’s PGA Professionals in 2022. Not just with the quality of golf that they provide on the course, but in many different areas within their clubs and beyond. It’s very fitting that our winners been recognised with these awards and that their achievements have been celebrated at the appropriate setting of our annual Captain’s Day dinner.”