PGA chairman Phil Weaver has been awarded an OBE in The Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to golf.
The long-serving Coventry Golf Club head PGA professional is one of the most respected figures in golf, representing the PGA nationally and internationally and has also been a key part of Ryder Cup Limited.
“Naturally I am very flattered to be honoured and very humbled,” said Weaver. “I am not sure why I got it particularly, I am sure there are more people deserving in golf but I am absolutely delighted and thrilled.
“The club president phoned me up first thing to congratulate me and I already had an email from former PGA captain Beverly Lewis who had read about it. I was notified about five or six weeks ago but have been sworn to secrecy so have not been able to tell anyone.”
Weaver has been chairman of The Professional Golfers’ Association since 1989, was joint chairman of the Ryder Cup Committee between 1989 and 2005 and continues to shape the success of the Ryder Cup as a member of the Ryder Cup Stakeholder and Policy Board.
His career in golf began with an assistant PGA professional’s role at Beau Desert Golf Club before moving to Great Barr as assistant to Joe Sutton.
His long association with Coventry began in 1966 when he became senior assistant to head pro Norman Roffe who he succeeded in 1979.
In his role as head PGA pro he has played a pivotal role at Coventry where he is also course manager and has led the way in making the club one of the most environmentally conscious and friendly in the country.
He was also a very talented player, enjoying four years on the European Tour in the mid-70s, and represented Great Britain & Ireland in two PGA Cups including the victorious side of 1983 at Muirfield.
In 2006 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree by University College Dublin.
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