Dame Laura Davies, one of the greatest women golfers of all time, was presented with a PGA Recognition Award at the Association’s annual lunch in Scotland on December 13.
A winner of 87 professional tournaments around the world between 1985-2018, including four Major championships, 20 LPGA Tour titles and 45 Ladies European Tour events, Dame Laura, 60, has been a figurehead of women’s professional golf for over three decades.
Between 1985-2010, she won at least one individual title somewhere in the world every season, except for 2005, and was the first golfer, male or female, to win tournaments on five continents in one year. A seven-time winner of the Ladies European Tour order of merit, she is life member of the Ladies European Tour and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2015.
Dame Laura has also enjoyed some of her finest moments as a team player. A member of the European team at the inaugural Solheim Cup in 1990, she went on to fly the flag for Europe 12 times in total, being on the winning side four times and amassing the most points – 25 – when competing in her last match in 2011.
Davies was awarded an MBE in the 1988, and CBE in 2000, and was made a Dame in the 2014 Birthday Honours – all for her services to women’s golf.
“I’m very honoured to receive this award from The PGA,” said Davies. “It’s always extra special to be recognised by one’s own peers in the industry. I dedicate the award to all the hard-working PGA Pro’s who are committed to growing our great game.”
Commenting on the award, Robert Maxfield, chief executive of The PGA, said: “The PGA Recognition Award is our way of acknowledging great achievements in the game and I’m delighted on behalf of the PGA’s Membership to bestow this accolade on Dame Laura who is a deserving winner and a credit to the sport.”