FOR the last four years, Paul Clough has transformed the junior section at Chester-le-Street Golf Club and has been honoured for his work.

Clough was named the volunteer coach of the year at Durham Golf Development Group’s Development Awards, when six other prizes were also handed out; including the lifetime achievement awards to Rita Foy and Graham Hope.

Clough was nominated for the coach of the year prize having made the junior section at his hometown club a real force to be reckoned with, and it continues to go from strength to strength.

“I don’t feel like I do anything out of the ordinary, I have just been keen, to use an old cliché, to put something back into golf,” said Clough. “I have just gone about doing things over the last four years that I think have been necessary and the club have helped me with that.”

The 49-year-old is the Junior Liaison Officer at Chester-le-Street and has been for the last four years. During that time he has overseen plenty of changes, and is now assisted by parent Nigel Nimmo.

“I have basically managed the junior section, organised all the competitions and inter-club matches, and have recommended club rule changes for certain things – and the club have helped me with those,” said the five-handicapper, who has been attached to Chester-le-Street for most of his life and now lives in Washington.

“There were a couple of rules that were stuck in the dark ages, which had to change. The kids can now play any time on the course, instead of set times. Over-14s can now play in competitions with any handicap rather than over-18s with a handicap limit.

“The committee have been great too. They gave me a budget for the junior section when I started and they have backed me with anything that I have recommended so far.”

Clough has provided support to the PGA Professional for both junior team coaching (midweek) and beginner sessions for local children (non-members) at the weekend.

The awards evening was designed to pay tribute to the unsung volunteers who do so much to help grow the game in the region.

The Durham Golf Development Group’s fourth Development Awards evening – held at Durham County Cricket Club’s Emirates Riverside – presented prizes to helpers of all ages and backgrounds.

The meeting also heard about the group’s plans for its ninth year and the progress made so far in bringing new players into golf and on into potential club membership.

Phil Graham, development officer for Durham: “The evening was a great opportunity for club and county representatives to recognise the commitment of volunteers, clubs and coaches. It was also a chance to celebrate their outstanding contributions.

“There was a great mix of PGA professionals, club managers, club volunteers and committee members, junior players and their families which made for a great atmosphere.”

More than 120 people, including representatives of the Durham County Golf Union, Durham County Ladies Golf Association, the Golf Foundation and England Golf, were present. Desmond Duffy, the England Golf President Elect in 2017, was a special guest.

As well as Clough’s main prize, Boldon’s Alyson Chapman won the club development volunteer of the year as a get into golf beginner mentor and ambassador. She organised sessions with PGA Professional Simon Robinson, marketed initial taster sessions and managed communications with beginner ladies to aid transition to membership.

The lifetime achievement awards were handed to Graham Hope (DCGU President) and Rita Foy (DCLGA President).

GolfMark Club of the Year went to Beamish Park (Nick Skelton – Junior Organiser), while the Get into Golf Project of the Year went to Hobson (Mark Watkins – PGA Professional).

The Get into Golf Centre of the Year was OakLeaf Golf Complex (Julie Welch – PGA Professional) and the HSBC Golf Roots Centre of the Year was handed to George Washington Golf Club (Ryan Ingram – PGA Professional).