Asbri Golf Awarded The John Barnett Memorial Trophy

Conwy Golf Club was this years host to The Asbri Golf Welsh National PGA Championship which saw Mark Pilkington crowned as the 2019 Welsh Champion.

Following the prize presention at Conwy, Asbri Golf was awarded the inaugural “John Barnett Memorial Trophy” by John’s wife, Beryl and Peter Johnson.

Former PGA Captain from 1997-99, John Barnett, affectionally known as “JB” sadly passed away in 2017 at the age of 67. He was Head PGA Professional at Royal St Davids, Harlech for many years until his retirement in 2012 and was a huge supporter of Welsh Golf.

The Welsh PGA Championship has a rich history, dating back to 1904 which is just three years after the Professional Golfers’ Assocation was formed.

During the early 70’s, the tournament was very close to not appearing in the fixture list after losing a number of sponsors, but Peter Johnson stepped in to save the tournament and generated prize money by persuading Cardiff members to sponsor holes. Peter ran the event successfully for nearly ten years and was indebted to 2006 European Ryder Cup Captain Ian Woosnam who competed consecutively for nearly 10 years and won the event in 1988.

Following Peters incredible support, Ryder Cup Wales supported the Championship from 2006-2012 before Welsh Golf Accessory Company, Asbri Golf, came on board as the new headline sponsor with the first event held at Royal St.Davids Golf Club in Harlech in 2013. Through the support from PGA Professionals and the quality of their products, Asbri has quickly become one of the Leading Accessory Brands now supplying over 3,500 pro-shops globally with club crested merchandise.

Peter Johnson commented, “John was a great friend of mine and of so many people. He always lit up the room with his presence. I felt that “JB” should be remembered with the trophy in his name for all that he did for Welsh Golf during his career and to show our appreciation to people who support the Welsh Championship and Welsh Golf, whether it be a Professional, Golf Club or a Sponsor.”

John’s wife, Beryl Barnett added, “Myself, Andrew, Jayne and all the Barnett family are delighted that Asbri have been awared this trophy. John was a true supporter of Asbri and I’m sure he was looking down to all the team and raising a glass!”

Eryl Williams, Managing Director of Asbri commented, “I speak not only on behalf of Paul Williams & Richard Dinsdale who were close friends of John, but our entire team at Asbri. We are simply overwhelmed, very proud and truly honoured to receive this award and to be the first ever recepients. “JB” was one of our first ever customers in Wales and supported us every single season through to his retirement. Like so many of our Welsh customers, John, Beryl and his family became a very special part of our business and we will never ever forget his unwaivering support, the ideas he gave us and most importantly his friendship. Our sponsorship of the Welsh PGA is our small way of saying thank you to John and every other Welsh Professional that has supported us.”

As a testament to their growth and professionalism as a company, Asbri became PGA Official Suppliers in 2015 and further extended their relationship in 2017 becoming PGA Partners and committing their support of the Welsh PGA Championship for a further three years through to 2020.