Chichester Golf Club’s Richard Kirby has been honoured by the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA).
The head professional at the thriving West Sussex club has been awarded the title of ‘advanced professional’ in the latest round of PGA honours which recognises service and commitment to golf.
Twenty-nine-year-old Kirby, who lives in Itchenor, near Chichester, is the only club professional in West Sussex to be honoured in the latest round of nominations.
It puts him at stage two of five in the PGA honours list system – with Fellow of the PGA, Advanced Fellow and Master to strive for.
The award recognises Kirby’s commitment to furthering his knowledge and expertise in his chosen profession by way of a series of PGA-approved courses and training sessions in various aspects of club golf.
Such training includes teaching, golf club repair and working with the media.
A spokesman for the PGA said that Kirby’s award had a clear benefit for the David Leadbetter-trained professional and Chichester Golf Club.
He said: "The obvious benefit to Richard Kirby is that he can take enormous pride in the fact that his work has been recognised by his peers within the PGA.
"And the golf club’s awareness has been raised so that in the fullness of time when it comes to appointing further professionals, they will be better informed about the qualifications of potential candidates."
Sally Haygarth, the owner of Chichester Golf Club which features two 18-hole courses, a par three course and a successful academy, said: "Richard is in his third year with us and is a respected and integral part of the success story which is being built up here at Chichester.
"He’s a committed professional and thoroughly deserves the honour which the PGA has bestowed on him."
Kirby trained at the Gleneagles Hotel golf academy in Scotland before working at Ping and the La Cala Resort in southern Spain.
Contact:
David Garlant, Dave Bowers or Pete Simm
08700 330550
david.garlant@prcpr.co.uk, dave@prcpr.co.uk or pete.simm@prcpr.co.uk
