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Top former female amateur golfer Ainee O’Connor was named Female Trainee of the Year and received the prestigious Beverly Lewis Trophy at the recent PGA Annual Graduation Ceremony.
The award, which is sponsored by the Ladies European Tour (LET), is named in tribute to former PGA Captain Beverly Lewis.
This year’s ceremony took place at the University of Birmingham, bringing over 100 graduates, along with their family and friends, to celebrate a landmark achievement in their professional journeys.
It also marked the 25th anniversary of the collaboration between the University of Birmingham and The PGA.
PGA Chief Executive Robert Maxfield commented on what is regarded as the most important day in The PGA calendar:
“This is a celebration of new, fully qualified PGA Members and leaders in the game of golf. Many will seek opportunities outside Great Britain and Ireland, and I’m proud to say we now have more than 1,500 Members working in 80 different countries across the world.
“Graduates are welcomed into PGA Membership knowing they’ve come through the best training programme in sport. They can move forward with confidence, knowing they are the best.
“This year in particular is a significant milestone for The PGA and the University of Birmingham. 2025 marks the 25th year of collaboration between the two institutions and a partnership that redefines what it means to be a golf professional in the modern world. Fittingly, we celebrate this anniversary during the 125th anniversary of the University of Birmingham – an institution built on innovation, ambition and excellence.”
Ainee O’Connor, PGA Professional at Sundridge Park Golf Club, was named Female Trainee of the Year and received the Beverly Lewis Trophy, named after the former PGA Captain and sponsored by the Ladies European Tour.
“I wasn’t expecting to win it at all,” said O’Connor.
“It was amazing and such an honour to receive the extra recognition alongside the pride of gaining the PGA Professional title and becoming a PGA Member.
“My dad didn’t know about the award beforehand, so it was really exciting when he found out. He’s super proud.
“The PGA training has been fantastic. It’s been so interesting to learn about different aspects of golf coaching, sports science, club repairs, all of the things I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t taken on the programme. To now do these things with confidence and bring them into a workplace is so valuable.
“Becoming a PGA Member makes me so proud and it’s a real honour. It’s been three years of hard work, so to reach this point and win the award has made it even better.”
The PGA Training Programme, which includes a three-year Foundation Degree, has been preparing aspiring PGA Professionals, Managers and Coaches for over 50 years. Covering all areas of the game, from coaching and custom fitting to management and sports science, the programme sets the gold standard in golf education. Notably, 97% of graduates secure roles within the industry, with over 80 diverse career pathways available.
This celebration marks the beginning of a new journey for all graduates, and The PGA looks forward to seeing how each one will make their mark on the golf industry in the years to come.
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