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  • Latest Jobs in Golf
26 October, 2007

Matthews At The Double

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Welsh dragon Neil Matthews has bagged a double after picking up his second award for breathing new life into youth golf.

The 28-year-old Pontypool professional had only just come down from the high of collecting the Golf Foundation's prestigious Sinclair Award in the summer. But he is back up on cloud nine after being named Welsh PGA Professional of the Year by the Golf Union of Wales.

Matthews collected his award from PGA chief executive Sandy Jones at a gala dinner held at the Vale of Glamorgan.

"It was a total shock to receive another award," said Matthews, who was surprised to receive one award, let alone two.

The back-to-back awards cap what has been a monumental year for the pro who finished building his own five-bedroom house in April and celebrated the birth of his first son, Rhydian Jac, in August.

It's been a busy year for the Gwent-based pro on the course too. His awards have come as recognition for his hard work in bringing youngsters into the game, and developing them once they are hooked.

Matthews introduced weekly Tri-Golf sessions in primary schools and organised the Golf Roots scheme on behalf of the Golf Foundation and Golf Development Wales in which nearly 200 children from 10 different schools took part.

"We took Tri-Golf into the local schools and it proved to be a real big hit. It's such a quick, fast and fun sport and the kids just loved it," explained Matthews.

"Once they got interested it was pretty plain sailing to keep them hooked and get them coming back.

"We've had a number of them progress from playing Tri-Golf to coming along to the actual course and picking up real clubs. I've gone from coaching seven children at the club to over 100."

Matthews was also the driving force behind a new pay-and-play club at the Talywain Driving Range, where over 80 juniors, a third of whom are girls, receive regular coaching. In addition Matthews tutors leadership workshops and coaches elite juniors.

"I had no idea at all when I arrived that I was in with a shout of winning. But I have to admit I had a little inkling by the time we sat down at the table. It is always nice to be rewarded for the work you have done.

"Everything has been going so well for me this year," added Matthews. "I finished building my own house, my first son was born and I've picked up two awards.

"I'm hoping next year will be just as good. At the moment I've got no big changes planned, I just want to carry on working hard with the youngsters and the elite golfers and keep raising the profile of the game."