PGA of Spain Member Eduardo Celles has received the Confederation of Professional Golf’s prestigious John Jacobs Award for Teaching & Coaching, acknowledging his extensive work with players of all abilities across his career.
The award, presented at the CPG Annual Awards, is named in honour of the late John Jacobs and given to outstanding golf coaches that have made an enduring impact on the sport. Celles exemplifies this through both his role at his own academy with beginners and juniors, all the way through to his work with national team players, and, of course, not least to recent men’s world number one player, Jon Rahm.
“I owe this award to all my students; from those who take 100 shots to number one in the world,” said the former PGA of Spain Vice President. “I try to give them a lot of love, my trust, and accompany them on their golf path, because golf is like life with ups and downs, and a golf professional is someone very personal for those students.
“I’ve been a PGA Member for 32 years and for me being a golf professional is my life…it is in the blood. I think that Spain produces some of the best teachers thanks to the PGA and its activities. I am very proud to belong to the PGA of Spain.”
Celles is a third generation PGA Professional who follows in the footsteps of his grandfather who won the Spanish Open in 1945, Carlos Celles Molina, and then his father who was also a legendary golf coach and a former CPG 5-Star Professional Award Winner, Carlos Celles Potente.
Eh said: “My father, who passed away last year, would have been very proud to see this as he was a friend of, and competitor with, John Jacobs. Winning this award is a great tribute to my father, so I am very proud and happy to receive this important award.”
Having operated his own academy near Bilbao for over 25 years that is known for its golf development efforts and producing good players, plus being renowned for his exceptional work ethic and expertise, Celles has become a highly sought-after coach who has taught thousands of students in his career.
Celles’ career as a PGA Professional took a significant turn when he began working with Jon Rahm at age of 13 after having coached Rahm’s mother, who suggested Celles also give lessons to her son who had shown promise. As the architect of Rahm’s swing, Celles has played a pivotal role in shaping Jon into the world-class player he is today. His coaching endeavours have also included work with several national team members, national and European champions, and touring professionals such as Harang Lee or Javier Saiz.
“For us it is a great honour to have Eduardo Celles as a Member of the PGA of Spain, and the John Jacobs Award is well deserved,” said Ander Martínez, the President of the PGA of Spain who nominated Celles for the award. “Eduardo is an example PGA Professional, who has dedicated countless hours to helping individuals of all ages and skill levels improve their game, and this award is recognition of his hard work and dedication.
“His passion for the sport and commitment to his students is truly inspiring, and we have no doubt that Eduardo will continue to make a positive impact on the golf community for years to come. We are very proud.”