England Golf has announced the first six sponsors for its 2019 Awards, which are taking place at the Royal Lancaster London on March 21.
The PGA is sponsoring the Coach of the Year award; The Golf Foundation is supporting the Young Ambassador of the Year award; Players 1st is sponsoring the Innovation Award, and HowDidiDo is backing the Most Welcoming Club of the Year award. In addition, SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS INC is sponsoring the wine to be served at the awards dinner, while Derek Burridge Trophies will be supplying the award trophies.
Nick Pink, England Golf Chief Executive, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome these sponsors and we appreciate their fantastic support for our England Golf Awards. All six were sponsors last year and their decision to return is a huge compliment to the prestige of the awards and our aim to raise the profile of all that’s great about golf in England. We look forward to joining them and our other guests on the night to celebrate the people, clubs and counties who make our game special.”
Nominations for the England Golf Awards close at midnight on November 30. As well as the sponsored awards there are categories for Volunteer of the Year, Lifetime Service Award and County of the Year.
Visit www.englandgolfawards.org for more information and to make nominations.
Here’s what the sponsors have to say:
The PGA’s professionals enhance the golfing experience of hundreds of thousands of players across the world. Chief Executive Robert Maxfield said: “We are delighted to sponsor England Golf’s Coach of the Year Award for a second year. Our members play an integral role in helping to develop and grow the game of golf across the world. From teaching beginners at their local club, to instructing Europe’s Ryder Cup stars in Paris, our highly trained coaches remain vital to the growth and development of the game.”
The Golf Foundation is the charity responsible for making golf more accessible to young people and to help them ‘Start, Learn and Stay’ in the sport. It jointly runs the Young Ambassador programme with England Golf. Chief Executive Brendon Pyle said: “We believe that leadership and volunteering opportunities for young people in the sport can help develop valuable life skills. We are delighted to be associated with the Young Ambassador of the Year Award.”
Players 1st is one of the world’s leading player experience platforms. Chief Executive Morten Bisgaard said: “To quote Steve Jobs, innovation is not about money. It’s about the people you have, how you are led, and how much you get it. So, what I am looking for in a winner of this category is a club or organisation which have succeeded in establishing a leadership culture where the staff are empowered to continuously make small everyday innovations to drive exceptional customer experiences.
HowDidiDo is one of the largest online golfing networks anywhere in the world. Chief Executive Richard Peabody commented: “HowDidiDo is delighted to be sponsoring the Most Welcoming Club of the Year Award at the 2019 England Golf Awards. These Awards are a great celebration of some of the hard work that goes on behind the scenes at golf clubs that people don’t usually see. It’s also a great opportunity to meet the people benefitting from the HowDidiDo system.”
SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS INC. is a sports research business with a strong focus on golf. Director Richard Payne said: “We are delighted to continue our sponsorship of the England Golf Awards and support an event that has become a highlight of the golfing calendar. We believe the work that England Golf undertakes is critical to the long-term health of the game and are delighted to play our small part in helping them achieve their objectives. We hope you are all able to join us in raising a glass and celebrating the many golf achievements that have taken place over the last year in England.”
Derek Burridge Trophies is a leading trade price supplier of golf awards. Sales Director Mark Burridge said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for the golf community to recognise the outstanding winners and we are delighted to support the England Golf Awards. So much good work goes on within the industry and this evening brings everyone together.”