The search is on to find England’s Golf Volunteers of the Year – the unsung heroes who give up their time to inspire others to take up golf. There are seven award categories, nominate someone special today.

The England Golf Partnership (EGP) is seeking nominations for its annual awards, which celebrate the golf volunteers who support new and emerging players.

The winners will be volunteers who contribute within golf clubs, schools, county golf partnerships, training schemes and many other programmes.

Phil Beard, the EGP’s Volunteer Manager, said: “Golf’s volunteers willingly give up their time and work tirelessly to help players of all ages to get the most out of the game. This is our chance to recognise and thank them for all they do.”

To put forward a volunteer visit www.golfvolunteers.org and complete the easy-to-follow nomination form. The closing date is 13th December 2013. The awards will be presented at a national conference next spring.

There are seven different volunteer award categories which take in age groups, volunteer coaching, those involved in club and county development, and lifetime achievers.

Previous winners include:

  • Kevin Whalley of Hertfordshire, who has been profoundly deaf from birth and has made a tremendous contribution to deaf golf, both in England and around the world.
  • Jim Pocknell of Kent, who went on to carry the Olympic flame for golf.
  • Charlotte Stanton of Staffordshire (pictured) who has helped encourage a massive growth in student golf and now works as the Middlesex County Development Officer.
  • Bev Dodd of Lancashire, a volunteer coach who is passionate about the game.

The award categories are:

Young Golf Volunteer of the year under18
Golf Volunteer of the year 18 - 25
Golf Volunteer Coach of the year
Club Development Golf Club volunteer of the year
County Development Golf County volunteer of the year
Services to golf / life time achievement (male)
Services to golf / life time achievement (female)

For more information visit www.golfvolunteers.org

Picture: leaderboardphotography.com