Lesley Mackay is Female Assistant Pro of the Year

PGA TITLEIST ASSISTANT OF THE

YEAR PRESS RELEASE

Michael Langford collects trophy

and cheque for £3,500

Former US Women's Open champion Alison Nicholas led the congratulations at the PGA's graduation ceremony at the Belfry today.

Michael Langford, from Lincolnshire's Kenwick Park Golf Club collected the prestigious Whitcombe Cox Trophy and a cheque for £3,500 as the Titleist Assistant of the Year from Acushnet Europe managing director Gary Miller.

Langford, who has already become head pro at the Scunthorpe club, narrowly beat off Doonbeg's Liam Duggan, who pocketed a cheque for £2,500, and the Belfry's Jonathan Watts, who received £1,500.

The trio graduated along with 250 of their fellow young professionals, who have all successfully come through the PGA's three-year foundation degree.

Acushnet's Miller said: "We are constantly impressed by the quality of young men and women coming through the ranks of the PGA training programme."

As we strive to grow and develop the game of golf, and make it more accessible, it's reassuring to see that the high standard of PGA graduates, reflected in another outstanding crop of Titleist Assistants of the Year, is being maintained. The future of golf is in good shape, judging by these young professionals."

Former Scotland international Lesley Mackay shrugged off a career-threatening wrist injury to come out on top in the Female Assistant of the Year, sponsored by the Ladies European Tour.

Mackay, based at Glasgow's World of Golf, collected £1,000 and became the first recipient of the Beverly Lewis Trophy, named in honour of the PGA's first female captain.

Bath's Ben Lloyd (Cumberwell Park) capped an excellent year as he came top of the second year assistant, winning £1,000 in the process, just edging out runner-up Richard King (Whitchurch, Cardiff) and third-placed Phillip Kenyon (Hillside, Southport).

Once-promising footballer Daniel Malcolm has found his niche in golf after being named Rookie Assistant of the Year, winning £1,000 in the process.

The Springwater professional beat runner-up Ben Waller (Kendal) and Craig Jones (Celtic Manor).

Above pictures shows (left to right) Liam Duggan, Gary Miller, managing director of Acushnet Europe, PGA Titleist Assistant of the Year Michael Langford, Alison Nicholas MBE and Jonathan Watts .