Golf professional Bradley Rowntree chips in for top award

A PROFESSIONAL golfer from Barnard Castle has been named as one of the sport’s leading lights. 

Bradley Rowntree, who is originally from the town, was crowned Breakthrough Professional of the Year at this year’s prestigious Foremost Golf Industry Awards.

Mr Rowntree, of BR Golf, took over as head professional at Richmond (Yorks) Golf Club in December 2015. He was one of four UK golf professionals to be shortlisted for the accolade last week.

The award identifies a Foremost member who has significantly improved the way in which they run their business, by maximising the use of Foremost’s education and events, and proactively using the group’s services to provide a first class retail environment.

Foremost managing director Andy Martin said: “Since taking the leap from assistant to head professional at Richmond, Bradley has made an immediate impact at the club.

“The shop is immaculately presented with excellent attention to detail and clear retail departments.

“He clearly has a talent and illustrates the old adage that retail is detail.

“Bradley has also fully embraced the Elite Marketing Programme with regular video content to promote all sectors of his business but crucially keeping it engaging and maintaining high open and click rates.”

Foremost member professionals from around the UK gathered at Stadium MK, the home of Milton Keynes Dons FC, for the annual Foremost conference.

The two-day event was highlighted by the awards ceremony which was presented by BBC Sports presenter Andrew Cotter. It was a celebration of the success of the group’s member professionals and suppliers.

Other categories included professional of the year, assistant professional of the year and elite marketing programme professional of the year in which Mr Rowntree also made the top four.

Mr Rowntree, 28, said: “I was delighted to have been nominated for the two awards but to then be selected as the winner of the Breakthrough Professional of the Year category is a huge honour.

“It is very much a team effort at BR Golf and for that reason I would like to thank my assistant Josh Fox for all of his hard work as well as staff and members at the club for their continued support.”