Three exceptional men who support the country’s most promising golfers were celebrated at an awards dinner at the England Golf coaching conference.
Three exceptional men who support the country’s most promising golfers were celebrated at an awards dinner at the England Golf coaching conference.
Standing ovations marked the announcement of Yorkshire’s Steve Robinson as 2016 Coach of the Year, Sussex’s Alan Covey as Volunteer Manager of the Year, and Cheshire’s Alan Thompson as the winner of the Lifetime Service Award.
Nigel Edwards, England Golf Performance Director, commented:
“These are truly exceptional people who stand out for the support and encouragement they provide to our golfers, helping them to be the best they can.”
The conference, attended by county, regional and national coaches and managers, had the theme of creating a winning culture – and the achievements of the three award winners helped to highlight this.
Steve Robinson (pictured top © Leaderboard Photography) has enjoyed a spectacular 2016, inspiring the England women’s team to become European champions for the first time in 23 years. Victory was particularly sweet because his teams have been involved in bronze medal play-offs in the previous three years, but had left the championships empty handed on each occasion.
His players included Bronte Law, who has just turned professional after a stellar amateur career when she was ranked second in the world, played in three Curtis Cup teams, won the Annika Award as the top US college player and was European amateur champion.
She sent a message to the conference saying:
“The gold medal represents all Robbo’s work as a coach and mentor. He is not just a coach to me, he is a friend and I could not think of anyone who deserves this award more.”
Robinson, who is based at Sandburn Hall, also coaches the Yorkshire boys’ and women’s teams – and between them they’ve won 11 English county championships. This year, three boys from the six-strong county squad have represented England and Robinson is also the personal coach to Charlie Thornton who won the England Golf Boys’ Order of Merit.
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