PGA pro Michael collects top award after learning in Fife

Scottish golf professional Michael Bradfield has achieved a goal he set himself a year ago by winning The PGA’s most prestigious award for its assistants.
Michael Creighton (Titleist brand director), Michael Bradfield and Peter Hanna (PGA captain). Pic by Dave Warren.Michael Creighton (Titleist brand director), Michael Bradfield and Peter Hanna (PGA captain). Pic by Dave Warren.
Michael Creighton (Titleist brand director), Michael Bradfield and Peter Hanna (PGA captain). Pic by Dave Warren.

Bradfield, who trained at Elie Links, and has subsequently moved to The Dutch Golf Club near Amsterdam in the Netherlands, has been named Titleist PGA Assistant of the Year.

In recognition of his achievement, Bradfield collected the Whitcombe Cox Trophy and a cheque for £3500 from Michael Creighton, Titleist brand director, and PGA captain Peter Hanna at the Association’s annual graduation ceremony held at the University of Birmingham.

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But that was not the 32-year-old’s sole reason to celebrate.

His bank balance was given a further boost when Conor Dillon, GolfPride regional manager EMEA, presented him with a cheque for £1500 for winning the GolfPride – Equipment Technology and Custom-Fitting Award.

The seeds of Bradfield’s success had been sown 12 months earlier at the same venue when he was named Year 2 PGA Assistant of the Year.

“I was top for the second year and that was the point when I thought if I work hard during the third and last year I’ve got a real chance,” he recalled.

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“I came to the ceremony last year, saw who won it and thought that would be a fantastic opportunity. I worked hard and it has certainly paid off – I’ve been walking on air for the last few months.”

Bradfield acknowledged, however, that his success was not solely down to him and paid tribute to Gavin Cook, the head PGA Professional at Elie Links.

“Gavin was my employing professional throughout my training and became much more than my boss,” he added.

“During my time at Elie he swapped between several different roles. Not only was he a fantastic mentor, he was my coach, accountant, mechanic and even occasional drinking partner.”

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Bradfield also cited Julie Otto, the 2015 Titleist PGA Assistant of the Year who coaches at Elie Links, as a major influence.

“Julie stood on this stage four years ago and helped me greatly throughout my training,” he said.

“I’ll always remember the support she gave me.”

Bradfield spent almost four years at Elie Links before heading for Holland two months ago.

The PGA training programme, encompassing the three-year foundation degree, was founded more than 50 years ago and covers all aspects of golf including business, equipment technology and repairs, rules and tournament organisation, sports science and sports psychology.

Once qualified, PGA Members undergo a process of continual professional development.

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