On Monday the highest accolade in professional golf will be bestowed upon Eddie Bullock, a pioneering visionary who helped to transform the structure of the modern British game.
Eddie Bullock, who is a non-executive director of the Goodwood Resort in West Sussex, was one of the first professionals to make the historic transition from pro-shop to full-time club management.
He has now reached an exciting new chapter in his career as, with effect from the AGM on 4th April, he takes over the duties of Captain of the Professional Golfers’ Association for 2011-2013. Previous holders of this prestigious office include James Braid, JH Taylor, Harry Vardon, Henry Cotton, Max Faulkner, and Peter Alliss who all served in that ambassadorial role for an organisation that as 7,500 members including 1,500 working overseas in 60 countries.
Eddie began his career in 1971 as an assistant professional at Roundhay Golf Club a municipal course in Leeds and in 1977 became a full professional at Bedford and County Club before taking over as general manager of the entire complex for ten years.
He gained a massive international reputation during his time as managing director of the prestigious Woburn Golf Club, one of the best-known tournament venues in the world.
In this role, he controlled the administration of three championship courses – the Duke’s, the Duchess and the Marquess – all rated among the 100 Best Courses in the United Kingdom. He was also involved in the organisation of a number of major tournaments including the British Masters, the European Seniors Masters, the Women’s British Open and the Senior British Amateur Open.
His wealth of experience across all aspects of golf administration has made him a much-sought-after figure and he was instrumental in bringing the 2010 English PGA Championship to Goodwood and is advising the West Sussex Club on exciting new golf developments for 2011 and beyond.
Eddie serves as a trustee of the Golf Foundation that introduces youngsters the game. He is also an Advanced Fellow of the PGA as well as being a member of the Golf Managers Association and the British Golf Collectors Society.
Such a distinguished pedigree singled him out as a unanimous choice for captaincy by his fellow professionals who voted him into office. Sandy Jones, Chief Executive of the PGA, said: “Eddie brings wide and valued experience from not only golf but associated business skills from the golf world. We are fortunate he will now bring all those skills and abilities to the Association.”
As PGA Captain, Eddie’s duties will involve attending all the major championships and his first venture will be to the US Masters this month (April) in Augusta. His list of engagements will also include the 2012 Ryder Cup match in Medinah, Illinois, when Europe will defend the trophy it won so dramatically against the United States at Celtic Manor in 2010.
Eddie says: “I am very proud of my association with the PGA. I was delighted to accept the role as captain and honoured by the fact that my fellow professionals offered me the role.”