GOLF: Another top award for Sandry (From Swindon Advertiser)

GOLF: Another top award for Sandry

6:00am Saturday 9th March 2013 in Sport

RETIRED Broome Manor stalwart Barry Sandry has won the West Region PGA Professional of the Year award for 2013.

Sandry, whose remarkable career at Broome Manor spanned 48 years, retired last September.

It was the second award for Sandry in as many weeks having also picked up the Lifetime Achievement award at the Swindon Advertiser Sports Awards.

Sandry began his career at Ashford Manor Golf Club in Middlesex before moving to North Wilts.

But it was at Broome Manor where he really made his mark.

As a player, he won six Wiltshire Championships, qualified to play in The Open Championship at Carnoustie in 1975.

He also played on the European Senior Tour from 1997 to 2002.

As a coach, Sandry focused on youth at Broome Manor and the structured learning programme that he started at Broome Manor was used as a basis to create the Golf Foundation’s Merit Award Scheme. He produced four youngsters who represented their country at international level, including David Howell, who went on to play in two successful Ryder Cup victories for Europe.

Another of Sandry’s success stories was Gary Harris, who played for England Boys for a record five years and also featured in the senior team He also made an impact with the women’s section, helping Vicky Hanks and Debbie Watt represent England and Scotland respectively.

Sandry trained 25 assistants who qualified as PGA members and he received the Golf Foundation Sinclair award in 2006.

He was granted honorary membership of the PGA for all his achievements.