Mike Dodd, a PGA Professional who hails from New Zealand and now works in Dorset, has been named England Golf Participation and Development Coach of the Year.
The 58-year-old, who is also a member of the New Zealand PGA, arrived at Sturminster Marshall Golf Club in Wimbourne, Dorset, in 2006 and is now the club’s managing director.
A professional coach of over 40 years, Dodd has over 150 junior golfers enrolled at Sturminster Marshall and throughout his established golfing career he has helped players such as Georgia Hall progress in the game and continues to inspire youngsters of all abilities to get involved.
Regularly travelling to all the schools in his local area to introduce youngsters to golf, Dodd also promotes junior golf through social media and holds events at the club to encourage new players to take up the game.
Dodd seeks to cast the golfing net as far and wide as possible and a few years ago he began coaching disabled golfers to ensure that there were no barriers to entry for his courses and that everyone could enjoy the game.
After picking up his award, Dodd said: "I first got involved with coaching when I left school and I saw the advert for a golf professional and since then I've never looked back!
"It gives me great pride when I see a young person progress all the way through from starting the game to playing it regularly, or even becoming a professional.
“I’ve been coaching for a lot of years and the most important thing I get out of it is not-so-much teaching the kids golf, but teaching them life skills. When you see them come back and they’re a better person, you help introduce them into society as a better person. I think that’s the most rewarding part.
"They learn so many things from golf including how to hold themselves as a person and how to show good manners both on and off the course and that's what I try and help with."
Commenting on his achievement, PGA Chief Executive, Robert Maxfield, said: “Mike’s work at the club and in the county is very impressive. The nominations he received all spoke about the enthusiasm with which he engages with everyone he comes in to contact with, either through his junior tour or the great initiatives he has put in place at the club and in the county.
“Above all, Mike is a wonderful example of a PGA Professional who has consistently gone above and beyond what might be expected over a considerable timeframe.”
Amy Taylor (Hinckley Golf Club), Aaron Lansberry (Stonebridge Golf Club) and Kevin Flynn (Tournerbury Golf Club) were also nominated for the Participation and Development Coach of the Year.
Elsewhere, PGA Member Tony Pennock was part of the team at Seckford Golf Club who were presented with the ‘Club of the Year’ award.
Pennock has lead hugely successful Dementia Golf days which began in 2022, providing access to the course and practice facilities for local people living with the illness and helping them to find joy in difficult times.
PGA Members Nicky Lawrenson and Kelly Bridges were nominated for the Women and Girls’ Trailblazer award, which was won by Hertfordshire Golf.
The England Golf Awards are designed to recognise and reward individuals, teams, clubs and counties who have shone in the past year and made a positive contribution to the amateur game in this country.
Eleven trophies were handed out at the event, which was hosted by broadcaster and presenter, Clare Balding, at Hilton Manchester Deansgate.
CLICK HERE to find out who the other winners were at the 2023 England Golf Awards.
