We would like to commend PGA coach Steve Hall, Head Professional of The Suffolk Golf Club, for his fantastic support of NHS workers that saw him finish in the Top 3 of the ‘Inspiration of the Year’ category for the Sport and Recreation Alliance Community awards.
See the short film about Steve’s work here.
Held at the Coventry Building Society Arena, Steve was nominated for his excellent work supporting young people and NHS workers living through the pandemic, offering free golf membership to a total of 136 NHS staff and giving them the warmest of welcomes as they started, or returned, to golf. Of that number, 30 have taken the opportunity to rejoin this year.
Steve’s work in supporting young people is also well known in Suffolk. In November, 2020, his golf course was closed again in the second lockdown and faced poor weather in the December. Far from becoming disgruntled, Steve was determined to use his time productively and offered some groundbreaking coaching to local schoolchildren in Bury St Edmunds.
Working with the Golf Foundation and mental toughness experts Yeast Ltd, Steve lent his junior coaching expertise at County Upper School in an innovative new PE programme – called Unleash your Drive – that teaches confidence, concentration and emotional control through a fun introduction to golf.
Steve gave four weeks of golf activities to a group of Year 9 pupils, interspersed with techniques on keeping calm under pressure, reflecting on good and bad shots and learning how to focus on the task at hand. See more on how Steve’s Unleash your Drive coaching inspired the pupils here.
During the second November lockdown in 2020 when clubs had to close but schools were open, Steve also helped the Golf Foundation test its new ‘Golfway’ equipment at Horringer Court Middle School; research that helped lead to the creation of the charity’s new Primary School Programme.
For his innovative work, Steve was deservedly one of 125 VIP guests in the arena on March 24 for this prestigious celebration of community sporting champions.
Steve Hall said: “I really enjoyed being part of the wider sports industry for the day and hearing about the amazing work that different organisations are involved in, particularly around young people which is close to my heart. I’m really passionate about growing golf and enjoy working with the Golf Foundation, whose life skills programme is practical and easy to deliver.”
Brendon Pyle, Chief Executive of the Golf Foundation, said: “It’s great for golf to be recognised in the sports industry for its role in helping the wider community – we need more coaches like Steve to make a difference to young people’s lives.”
Meanwhile, well done to Mary Tweed, of Nordic Walking East Anglia, who won the Inspiration of the Year Award for providing instructors and clients with a way to connect during lockdown. Congratulations to all those nominated across eight categories and the deserving winners from different sports, health charities and faith groups. See the awards here.