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Sir Henry Cotton Award - Barry Chapman, Woodhall Spa GC

The winner of this award also receives a special grant kindly provided by the Stanley Morrison Charitable Trust and an ETIQUS golfer’s watch kindly donated by Gary Butler.

The winner this year is Barry Chapman, junior organiser at Woodall Spa Golf Club for the past 29 years. In that time the junior membership has remained at over 70 each year and it is estimated that he has looked after over 2,000 juniors in his time. Two of his juniors have gone on to play Curtis Cup and Walker Cup golf – Holly Clyburn and Nathan Kimsey.

Barry treats all the juniors the same, giving the newest members just as much time and attention, encouraging all to get involved and enjoy the game he loves. As a result of his efforts, Barry secured sponsorship of over £30,000 for the junior section while after 29 years he still supports almost every training session, match and social activity.

Woodhall Spa was one of the first 40 golf clubs in the country to test the Golf Foundation’s Box of Tricks initiative, providing invaluable feedback on its impact.

Barry has also been keen to give back to the sport and has run the Adult/Junior Foursomes for the past 11 years, raising over £1,600 for the Golf Foundation.

Barry Chapman’s popularity and impact in growing junior golf is summarised by the words of a youngster and the club’s current Junior Captain, Jake Ball. Jake says: “Barry has been this strong, motivating but really kind presence throughout my time at Woodhall Spa. He has a great sense of humour and appreciates all our jokes, mostly aimed at his strict rules for manners and appearance. He loves playing against us at the Adults versus Juniors competitions and is not adverse to a little gamesmanship to gain an advantage! I can honestly say Barry is a legend and he is much loved by all at our club.”

(Picture: Getty Images)