Stephen Watkins, a PGA Member for more than half a century, who was inspired to take up golf by watching Arnold Palmer on TV and described as a professional’s professional, has passed away at the age of 72.
Captivated by scenes of the charismatic American winning the Open Championship in 1962, Stephen fell in love with the game and set his sights on becoming a professional golfer. He began by caddying in his free time and on leaving school joined the green keeping team at Hankley Common Golf Club, Surrey, while waiting for a trainee position in the pro shop.
Once there, he learned the skills of a traditional club professional from his mentor, Keith MacDonald Snr, the head pro, and completed his PGA training under Sid Perks at Lilleshall.
Stephen was elected to PGA Membership in 1971, the same year he met Wendy, his bride to be, and in 1974 they headed for Denmark where, with the game in its infancy, he was regarded as a golfing missionary.
He spent seven years in Denmark, enjoying success teaching and playing, winning several Danish PGA events and coaching the winners of the country’s girl’s and boy’s championships.
Then with two daughters in tow, the couple returned to the UK and for the next nine years, Stephen was club professional at Ellesborough Golf Club, Buckinghamshire. He became a familiar competitor on the BB&O tournament circuit, as he was in PGA South Region events on moving to Littlestone, Kent in 1990.
Eleven years later he opted to spend the rest of his career concentrating on coaching, primarily at nearby Etchinghill Golf Club. While there, Stephen played in European Senior Tour events for a couple of seasons and was a regular competitor in the Senior PGA Professional Championship and Sunningdale Foursomes.
On his retirement, Etchinghill said: “Steve’s encyclopaedic knowledge of the game has been tapped into on many occasions by both members and colleagues, so he will be sorely missed.”
He is best remembered, however, as a traditional club professional. “He was described to me as a professional’s professional,” recalled Wendy Watkins.
“He took great pride in his work and loved repairing clubs back in the old days. He was very skilled at that and was also a first-class teacher and good player whose swing was the envy of many.”
Stephen is survived by Wendy, his wife of 49 years, daughters Juliane and Natalie, son Morten and five grandchildren. The PGA extends heartfelt condolences to them on their loss.
