Exceptional trio celebrated at coaching awards

Three exceptional men who support the country’s most promising golfers were celebrated at an awards dinner at the England Golf coaching conference. Standing ovations marked the announcement of Yorkshire’s Steve Robinson as 2016 Coach of the Year, Sussex’s Alan Covey as Volunteer Manager of the Year, and Cheshire’s Alan Thompson as the winner of the Lifetime Service Award.

Nigel Edwards, England Golf Performance Director, commented: “These are truly exceptional people who stand out for the support and encouragement they provide to our golfers, helping them to be the best they can.”

The conference, attended by county, regional and national coaches and managers, had the theme of creating a winning culture – and the achievements of the three award winners helped to highlight this.

Steve Robinson (pictured) has enjoyed a spectacular 2016, inspiring the England women’s team to become European champions for the first time in 23 years. Victory was particularly sweet because his teams have been involved in bronze medal play-offs in the previous three years, but had left the championships empty handed on each occasion.

His players included Bronte Law, who has just turned professional after a stellar amateur career when she was ranked second in the world, played in three Curtis Cup teams, won the Annika Award as the top US college player and was European amateur champion. She sent a message to the conference saying: “The gold medal represents all Robbo’s work as a coach and mentor. He is not just a coach to me, he is a friend and I could not think of anyone who deserves this award more.”

Robinson, who is based at Sandburn Hall, also coaches the Yorkshire boys’ and women’s teams – and between them they’ve won 11 English county championships. This year, three boys from the six-strong county squad have represented England and Robinson is also the personal coach to Charlie Thornton who won the England Golf Boys’ Order of Merit.

Alan Covey is the Sussex junior manager and an England Golf regional manager – and has such an impact that he received three separate nominations for the award of Volunteer Manager of the Year.

One of his proposers summed him up: “One major factor of his success is that all the juniors like him. His encouragement and dedication to them is very evident and rewarded by their respect for him. I know many players who are now over 18 that keep in regular contact with him letting him know how they are progressing.” Within Sussex, Covey helps to organise coaching development for young players who wish to progress, and works with the county squads for players from U12 to U18 age groups.

As an England Golf regional manager he is generous in sharing his knowledge and experience with other managers. He organises many events, including a national start-of-season championship for U16 boys and girls – and he also took an England team to the 2016 Canadian International Junior Challenge and encouraged them to victory.

Alan Thompson was unable to be at the presentation of the Lifetime Service Award but delegates were told how he has dedicated his career to helping golfers achieve their full potential at all levels, working with club players, county golfers, elite national amateurs and top professionals.

He was Cheshire coach for 25 years and was the professional at Heswall Golf Club until 2012 – when he retired to concentrate on his coaching. He’s been assistant coach to the England Men’s A Squad for many years and this season has been especially memorable with squad player Scott Gregory winning the Amateur Championship and the England Golf Men’s Order of Merit. He’s also taught many European Tour players, including Lee Slattery and Ryder Cup player Jamie Donaldson.

Image © Leaderboard Photography

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A graduate of Cardiff University’s highly respected post-graduate magazine journalism course, Andy has successfully edited four different publications across the B2B, trade and consumer sectors. He is skilled at all aspects of the magazine process in addition to editing websites and managing social media channels.