Justin Rose, honoured by the PGA along with Shane Lowry
Lowry and Rose honoured by the PGA
Major champions and Ryder Cup stars Shane Lowry and Justin Rose have been honoured by the PGA for their performances in the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon.
Both played in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and Lowry was presented with the Tooting Bec Cup by the Association’s Captain, Peter Laugher, on the eve of the tournament.
The Tooting Bec Cup is the oldest trophy the PGA Membership competes for and was first played for as a 36-hole strokeplay tournament shortly after the Association was founded in 1901.
It was presented by the Tooting Bec Golf Club, which hosted the first tournament, and the inaugural winner was J H Taylor, one the Association’s three founders.
Sadly, Tooting Bec Golf Club no longer exists and the criteria for winning the cup has changed. It is now awarded to the PGA Member born in, or with a parent or parents born in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, who posts the lowest score in The Open.
Lowry, an Honorary Member of The PGA due to his Open Championship triumph at Royal Portrush in 2019, achieved that this year when he posted a five-under par total of 66 in the first round at Royal Troon.
Rose, meanwhile, was presented with the Braid Taylor Memorial Medal which, introduced in 1966 and subject to the same criteria as the Tooting Bec Cup, is awarded to the Association’s Member who finishes highest in the Open Championship.
The 2013 US Open champion and PGA Honorary Member added his name to a distinguished list by finishing runner up at Royal Troon, two shots behind Xander Schauffele on seven-under.
David Llewellyn named the PGA’s 86th Captain
The PGA has invited former World Cup winner David Llewellyn to become its 86th Captain and add another prestigious honour to his glowing CV.
The 72-year-old honorary PGA Member, who is Executive Head Professional just over the border from his native Wales at Carden Park, Cheshire, will succeed David Scott in late March 2026.
In doing so he will add his name to a list of illustrious predecessors that includes PGA co-founders James Braid, Harry Vardon and JH Taylor, three-time Open Championship winner Sir Henry Cotton, Ryder Cup captains Dai Rees and Bernard Gallacher as well as the Voice of Golf, Peter Alliss.
“It’s an elite band and to be a member of it is very special,” said Alan White, the Association’s chairman.
“The Captain is the face of the Association when in post and David has exemplified all the positive aspects of a PGA Professional during his stellar career.
“He’s excelled as a coach, played and won at the game’s highest level, managed golf clubs, and been an inspiration to injured servicemen in helping them overcome their disabilities and get into the game. There is no doubt he will be a credit to the Association before, during and after his captaincy.”
Reflecting on his appointment, Llewellyn said: “I’m absolutely bowled over. I was knocked sideways when I was asked.
“Being entrusted to represent the PGA, uphold its good name, and be its figurehead for a year is a huge honour. As it is to follow in the footsteps of some very famous names, some of whom I know and have played with.
“I played with Bernard Gallacher when he was at the top of his game and, as a young Welshman, Dave Thomas and Dai Rees looked after me when I was making my way in the game. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to play with Peter Alliss, but he said some nice things about me when he was commentating.”
That may well have been when Llewellyn, representing Wales in tandem with Ian Woosnam, won the World Cup in 1987. Other highlights as a player include being named Sir Henry Cotton’s Rookie of the Year at the age of 20 and, 17 years later during his second spell on the European Tour, winning the AGF Biarritz Open when he set a record low four round total of 258. It was a record that, equalled by Woosnam in 1990, stood for 32 years until Andy Sullivan surpassed it by a shot.
Llewellyn also experienced success in Africa, winning the Ivory Coast and Zambia Opens before opting to concentrate on coaching and return to life as a club professional in the early 1990s.
He had begun that process on turning professional in 1968 and working as an assistant to Tom Colinge at Olton Golf Club in the West Midlands. Roles at the Royal Malta Golf Club, Purley Chase Golf Club, Warwickshire, Thirsk and Northallerton Golf Club, and now Carden Park have followed.
In addition, he was coach to the Golf Union of Wales for five years, coaches five DP World Tour and Challenge Tour players, while teaching amputees through his association with the On-Course Foundation has brought another facet to his calling.
The Foundation is a charity that offers injured servicemen, women and veterans the opportunity to participate in golf on a level playing field with everyone else, either as a player or through employment in the golf industry.
Llewellyn became involved with the Foundation a dozen years ago and, as well as his role at Carden Park where he manages and mentors six pros, attends five camps a year.
His year as PGA Captain will add to a busy workload, not that captaincy is a new experience. He led Wales for eight years in the Ford Home Internationals and was Captain of the Great Britain and Ireland team that contested the PGA Cup in 2000.
Now an even more prestigious PGA role beckons. “I can’t wait to get started,” he said. “As I said, I’m bowled over and certainly never expected to receive such an honour.”
PGA champions diversity and participation in golf
The PGA is supporting Black British Golfers and the Faldo Series to advance, promote and celebrate diversity and inclusion in golf – and confirm its commitment to shaping the game’s future.
In doing so, the Association played its part in staging the final of the Black British Golfers’ Future Shapers Series at The Belfry last month.
The popular event attracts both seasoned and new golfers alike from across the black community and 40 young golfers took part in a team format on the PGA National. In addition, more than 100 adults had their skills tested on the iconic Brabazon course.
This was a golf day with a difference, however, as participants enjoyed a range of activities, including educational panel discussions and introductory sessions for non-golfers - with PGA Professionals on hand to offer tips, advice and inspiration to those taking part.
Black British Golfers aim to highlight the physical, mental, and social benefits of golf within the Black British community and address barriers to accessing the game.
Emphasising the significance of these events, the organisation’s founder, Ray Nyabola, said: “This is our fourth edition of the event in partnership with The PGA through PGA Play, which is a fantastic platform to bring golf into the community.
“The day started off with activation activities and then an educational panel discussion, because one of the things we’d like to do is link education and golf to get people excited about golf through an educational system.”
Nyabola also highlighted the importance of introducing non-golfers to the sport.
“The non-golfer activities are really important for us as it allows people to try golf for the first time,” he added. “If we can figure out new ways to showcase golf, we can get young people and other members of the community involved and that’s the direction we want to take.”
The following week a select group of young golfers took part in the inaugural Faldo Futures Final, hosted by Sir Nick Faldo.
Faldo Futures is one of three tours within the Faldo Series, added to the schedule for the first time this year and specifically tailored for children aged seven to 12. Open to both boys and girls with no handicap requirements, Faldo Futures is an accessible entry point for young golfers of all abilities.
The journey had begun with a series of qualifying events held across the UK, with more than 1,000 participants from 50-plus golf clubs taking part during the Easter holidays. The qualifiers were then narrowed down through regional finals to the top 144 young golfers who then competed for the prestigious title of Futures Champion at The Belfry Hotel & Resort during the week of DP World Tour’s British Masters.
The individual winners from each age group also earned an exclusive invitation to the IMG Junior World Finals at Torrey Pines South in California, USA.
The competitive element was enjoyed throughout all age groups, and the support of PGA Professionals on site and official scoring provided by The PGA ensured a special experience for all.
An appearance by the Ryder Cup was a highlight for many, including the parents, as queues formed for photos with the iconic trophy that is owned by Ryder Cup founding partner, The PGA.
In addition to the thrill of competition, finalists were welcomed by Sir Nick Faldo and enjoyed a special golf clinic with the six-time major winner. This hands-on session offered a rare opportunity for the young players to learn new skills, receive personalised advice and ask questions.
Thomas Pritchard-Davies, Faldo Series event executive and a PGA of Australia professional, also emphasised the impact the series can have on the enjoyment and future careers of some of these players.
“Pathways like these into competitive golf are crucial for the development of young golfers.” He said: “It’s vital for the future of the game that they exist.”
Robert Maxfield, PGA chief executive, also highlighted the importance of development opportunities for juniors and how they can enhance their game.
“It’s been absolutely fantastic and so successful, especially being held at the iconic venue that is The Belfry,” he said. “These young players have had the experience of a lifetime and have relished the chance to play golf somewhere other than their usual course.
“That’s made it such an enjoyable experience for them, while also having a positive impact on their development. We are delighted to be supporting Sir Nick as he continues to help develop the next generation of golfers.”
Over the past 25 years, the Faldo Series has reached more than 45,000 golfers worldwide. Its commitment to developing players continues to grow, with the aim of discovering even more young talent and providing them with opportunities to progress within the game, regardless of their level or experience.
These initiatives are crucial for the growth in participation within the sport and The PGA’s support for these initiatives highlights the dedication to expanding golf’s reach and impact, creating opportunities for golfers of all backgrounds.