The PGAs of Europe 2013 Annual Congress has received glowing praise from the attending delegates, guests and International Team Championship Competitors after the 24th outing took place last week in Portugal’s Algarve region.
The Association’s flagship event has a long-standing history for providing the latest and greatest subject matter for delegates from across the 39 national PGAs that make up the PGAs of Europe, and also provides a place for the sharing of information, knowledge and experience amongst those countries.
The 2013 Annual Congress, supported by Glenmuir, the Associação Turismo do Algarve, Hotel Vila Galé Lagos, and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust, had a new and updated format as delegates took part in more hands-on and practical seminars and workshops all with a view to promoting action in the coming year.
“The Congress this year was really well received by our attending PGAs as well as those from national Federations and other golfing bodies,” said Chief Executive of the PGAs of Europe, Ian Randell.
“The decision this year to roll up our sleeves and get down to work to create actionable plans and ideas for 2014 came as a result of last year’s feedback, as well as the refreshed and forward thinking strategy for the PGAs of Europe. The new format gave us a chance to get closer to the PGAs and their administrations to see what can be done to help and guide them as much as possible.”
As is tradition, the Annual Congress culminates with the Annual Gala Awards Dinner supported by Rolex, in which individuals are recognised for their contributions and achievements within the game. Headlining this year’s Awards Dinner was Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Alison Nicholas. Her incredible achievements during a long playing career, and more recently in her captaincy role at the Solheim Cup and now as a PGA Professional Coach, made her the ideal candidate to receive such an honour from the Association.
Former CEO of the PGA of America and one of the Congress’ guest speakers for the week, Joe Steranka, was also honoured with the Christer Lindberg Bowl in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the game.
The 5-Star Professional Award went to Vice-President of the PGA of Germany and former PGAs of Europe Board Member, Guido Tillmans, in recognition of his contributions to many aspects of the Profession such as administration, coaching and education, and playing.
PGA of Great Britain & Ireland Professional and coach to Solheim Cup rookie star Charley Hull, Lee Scarbrow, took the John Jacobs Teaching & Coaching Award title this year for excellence in coaching, whilst PGA of GB&I Fellow Professional, Gillian Burrell, received the President’s Award for Golf Development to recognise her efforts in developing the grass roots game in Ireland.
Long-time friend of the Association and former MD of Golfsmith Europe, Doug Poole, received the Special Recognition Award to mark a substantial career in the game a great amount of which was spent as a partner of the PGAs of Europe and friend to all those involved.
The Awards Dinner is also an opportunity to formally present the victorious International Team Championship team with their trophy and this year, after a 22-year drought, the Dutch team of Robin Swane, Ralph Miller, and Nicolas Nube took the title just down the road from the Congress at Onyria Palmares.
The PGAs of Europe would like to thank all the delegates, speakers, guests, ITC competitors, as well as the host staff and sponsors, for helping make the event a tremendous success.
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For more news from the 2013 Annual Congress and Gala Awards, visit the Annual Congress Hub Page, follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter and search the Hashtag #AnnualCongress, or like the PGAs of Europe Facebook Page.
