Styal Golf Club professional Mark Johnson was celebrated at the GF President’s Awards for his 25 years work in junior golf with the Sir Henry Cotton award, named after the founder of the Golf Foundation, and was presented to Mark for all that he has achieved since 1999.

The award was part of the President’s Awards at Wentworth Club, hosted by Nick Dougherty as part of a fantastic week at the BMW PGA Championship.

Over a period of nearly 25 years, Mark has continually developed the junior programmes at Styal Golf Club. It is now known as one of the finest junior golf programmes available in the North West, shown by parents and children travelling large distances to be part of those programmes.

Mark’s willingness to help children of all backgrounds and abilities was highlighted in his nomination. For example, he has helped one boy with autism now for over 2.5 years and made a massive difference to that boy’s life, helping him develop more resilience, concentration, confidence and happiness, whilst becoming a very good golfer at the same time.

He has changed that boy’s life and made a positive difference to the lives of so many more children as head of the junior programmes at Styal Golf Club since 2000.

Having been playing golf at many clubs for 35 years, his nomination added. “I have met many great people who have done a lot for grassroots golf but nobody has come close to doing as much as Mark and he does it with compassion and skill and whilst making sure everyone has a great time!”

Mark has built a junior programme since 2000 which is really inclusive, involving competitions and lessons for children of all levels (including GolfSixes League and his Junior Ryder Cup), work with schools and other clubs and specific lessons for girls. He devotes so much time to ensuring that children have a programme that suits them and that they are having fun.

Both because of the junior programmes he has built and his ability to offer something tailored to every child’s needs, he has introduced so many children to the game who would not otherwise be playing and who will now enjoy golf for their whole lives.

“It’s special,” Mark said upon receiving the Sir Henry Cotton shield and trophy at Wentworth Club, where he also received a donation towards his great work.

“A lot of the time it can be a thankless task, even if the smiling faces at the end of the day are great, so it’s nice to be acknowledged and it is really appreciated.

“Seeing the life skills the youngsters have developed over my time doing this has been amazing, and I’ve lost count of how many kids I’ve seen come through our programmes and go on to a career in golf, as well as becoming doctors, lawyers and working in all areas of life. That’s an amazing feeling!”

Geoff Garnett