Walker named England Golf 2019 Coach of the Year

Yorkshire-based PGA Master Professional Graham Walker has been named England Golf 2019 Coach of the year.

Walker is recognised as a leading expert in short-game teaching and over the years has worked with European Tour winners such as Danny Willett, Paul Waring, David Horsey as well as Ladies’ European Tour winner Holly Clyburn.

Currently, Walker coaches world number 10 Tommy Fleetwood and passes on his knowledge to all the England Golf performance squads.

Walker, who is based at The Oaks Golf Club, has been on the staff at England Golf since 2011 and his coaching continues to be of huge benefit to aspiring players looking to fulfil their potential.

England Senior Women’s manager Debbie Richards was recognised as volunteer of the year for 2019, while Cheshire-based Roy Smethurst was also presented with an award for excellence in coaching.

ABOVE - Graham Walker with Nick Dougherty and Roy Smethurst.

Three-time European Tour winner and lead presenter on Sky Sports, Nick Dougherty, presented the awards at Woodhall Spa during England Golf’s 2019 performance conference.

Dougherty paid tribute to all the winners saying: “The success enjoyed by all the England performance squads over recent times wouldn’t be possible without the excellence in coaching and management that all the teams receive.

“I know from my time representing England at amateur level just how crucial it was to have a good grounding in the game before making the move to the professional ranks.

“You only have to look at the numbers of English players currently making their way in both the men’s and ladies’ games to see that the work being done at grassroots levels and then with the performance teams as they move through the age groups is bearing fruit.”