The golfing community came together on Tuesday 3 March to honour the outstanding individuals, clubs, and initiatives driving the sport forward at the 2026 England Golf Awards.
Hosted by TV presenter Chris Hollins at The Manchester Deansgate, the event welcomed more than 450 guests for an evening of recognition, inspiration, and celebration.
Across the night, 13 category winners were announced—each representing a powerful story of dedication, innovation, and impact.
Nine of the awards were nominated for by the public, with a panel of 50 judges from across the golf industry and media selecting the final winners.
The Young Person of the Year, Tournament Venue of the Year and Performance of the Year awards were judged by England Golf’s championships and performance teams respectively. A special Lifetime Service Award was awarded to the family and friends of the late David Lodge, in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the game, while eight new inductees were welcomed into the England Golf Hall of Fame.
Each winner received an engraved glass trophy and a gift hamper to mark their achievements and lasting influence on the sport.
To explore the full list of winners and their stories, click the links below.
Club of the Year, sponsored by Insured Health - The Club at Mill Green
County of the Year, sponsored by Citation - Cheshire Golf Ltd
Tournament Venue of the Year - Luffenham Heath (Carris Trophy)
Women in Golf Charter Club Award - Henbury Golf Club
Facility of the Year, sponsored by Howden - Need Golf Centre
Sustainability Project of the Year - Redbourn Golf Club
Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by CaddyComps - Ana Browne
Young Person of the Year, supported by Golf Foundation - Evie Sanderson
Participation & Development Coach of the Year, sponsored by Your Golf Travel - Mark & Lisa Shervill
Respect in Golf Award, sponsored by 54 - Bedfordshire County Golf
Women & Girls’ Trailblazer - Ladies Can Golf
Lifetime Service Award, sponsored by DotGolf - David Lodge
Performance of the Year - Lottie Woad
England Golf Hall of Fame 2026 inductees
John Ball
- First Englishman — and first amateur — to win The Open Championship (1890), completing a rare double by also winning the British Amateur that same year
- Eight‑time winner of The Amateur Championship (1888–1912) with an extraordinary 99–22 match record, establishing himself as one of golf’s dominant early figures
- Represented England in early international matches and remained a competitive amateur for decades, including service in the Boer War
- Celebrated long after his career ended, honoured posthumously with recognition such as induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame; born and shaped by Royal Liverpool GC in Hoylake
Pamela Barton
- Rose to prominence as a teenage golfing prodigy, winning major amateur titles including the French International (1934), British Ladies Amateur (1936 & 1939), and U.S. Women’s Amateur (1936)
- Twice represented Great Britain & Ireland in the Curtis Cup, becoming one of the leading figures in women’s golf of the 1930s
- Served in WWII as an ambulance driver during the Battle of Britain before joining the WAAF as a radio operator and later a command-level officer.
- Died on duty in an air crash in 1943 aged 26; her legacy endures through the Pam Barton Memorial Salver and continued recognition in British women’s golf
David Marsh MBE
- Twice English Amateur champion (1964 at Hollinwell and 1970 at Royal Birkdale) and a 75‑cap England international who became Southport & Ainsdale’s youngest-ever captain in 1967
- Key figure in GB&I’s 1971 Walker Cup victory at St Andrews, later captaining the team in 1973 and 1975
- Held major leadership roles in the game, serving as president of both the Lancashire Union (1985) and the English Golf Union (1988), and as captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club in 1990
- Contributed significantly beyond golf as Everton FC Director and Chairman (1991–94), was appointed MBE in 2011 for services to amateur golf, and passed away in 2022 aged 88
Janet Melville
- Won the 1978 Women’s British Open at age 20 as an amateur — one of only three amateurs ever to win the championship, and the only winner who never turned professional; later added the Women’s Amateur (1987) and the British Stroke Play to complete all three major British titles
- Achieved significant senior success, including the English Senior Women’s Championship (2013) and two Senior Stroke Play titles
- Represented England and GB&I widely across Girls’ and Women’s Home Internationals, European Senior Team Championships (winning silver and two bronzes), the Commonwealth Trophy, and two Vagliano Trophies; captained the Junior Vagliano team in 2022 and 2023
- Now contributes to England Golf as a Women’s and Girls’ Selector, Team Manager, and voluntary Welfare Officer, continuing a lifelong commitment to the game
Justin Rose MBE
- Outstanding amateur career highlighted by wins at the McGregor, Carris, St Andrews Links and Peter McEvoy trophies, plus representation for England and GB&I in the Walker Cup, European Boys’ Team Championship, Jacques Leglise and Bonallack Trophy teams
- Burst onto the global stage with a 4th‑place finish at the 1998 Open Championship as a 17‑year‑old amateur, then turned professional and now has 27 professional titles
- Major achievements include the 2013 U.S. Open, Olympic gold in 2016, the 2007 DP Tour Order of Merit, the 2018 FedEx Cup, and seven Ryder Cup appearances (winning on five occasions). He has also finished runner-up three times at The Masters
- Honoured with an MBE (2017) and the Payne Stewart Award (2021), and, with his wife Kate, created the Rose Series in 2020 to support women’s professional golf during the pandemic
Karen Stupples
- Represented England and GB&I extensively, including two European Ladies’ Team Championships, two Curtis Cups, and a Vagliano Trophy
- Standout collegiate player at Florida State, winning twice and earning All‑ACC honours (1994–95) and Second‑Team All‑American status (1995)
- Turned professional in 1998, winning three times, highlighted by her remarkable 2004 Women’s British Open victory at Sunningdale featuring an eagle–albatross start and a record‑equalling 269 total
- Competed in major team events including two Solheim Cups (winning in 2011), two Lexus Cups, and the 2005 Women’s World Cup; later became a respected broadcaster and an honorary member of Royal Cinque Ports
Joyce Wethered
- Dominant force in inter‑war women’s golf, winning the British Ladies’ Amateur four times (1922–1929) and the English Ladies’ Amateur Championship five years running (1920–1924)
- Captained England, and Great Britain & Ireland at the 1932 Curtis Cup, and was widely regarded as one of the greatest British amateur golfers of her era
- Celebrated for her elegant, technically admired swing, earning praise from leading contemporaries including Bobby Jones
- Maintained amateur status throughout her career; later became Lady Heathcoat‑Amory and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in recognition of her lasting legacy
Peter Wilson
- Long‑serving figure in English amateur golf, contributing to county and national structures and supporting elite players through high‑performance programmes
- Key influence on handicapping: represented the EGU to CONGU, wrote practical guidance for clubs, and developed the Competition Scratch Score system that underpinned the original CONGU approach
- Held extensive voluntary leadership roles across club, county and national levels — including junior development, club captaincy/presidency, county executive work, and championship committees
- Brought professional experience from software and print businesses, maintaining strong Lancashire roots while shaping amateur golf administration in England
Across the night, 13 category winners were announced—each representing a powerful story of dedication, innovation, and impact.
Nine of the awards were nominated for by the public, with a panel of 50 judges from across the golf industry and media selecting the final winners.
The Young Person of the Year, Tournament Venue of the Year and Performance of the Year awards were judged by England Golf’s championships and performance teams respectively. A special Lifetime Service Award was awarded to the family and friends of the late David Lodge, in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the game, while eight new inductees were welcomed into the England Golf Hall of Fame.
Each winner received an engraved glass trophy and a gift hamper to mark their achievements and lasting influence on the sport.
To explore the full list of winners and their stories, click the links below.
Club of the Year, sponsored by Insured Health - The Club at Mill Green
County of the Year, sponsored by Citation - Cheshire Golf Ltd
Tournament Venue of the Year - Luffenham Heath (Carris Trophy)
Women in Golf Charter Club Award - Henbury Golf Club
Facility of the Year, sponsored by Howden - Need Golf Centre
Sustainability Project of the Year - Redbourn Golf Club
Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by CaddyComps - Ana Browne
Young Person of the Year, supported by Golf Foundation - Evie Sanderson
Participation & Development Coach of the Year, sponsored by Your Golf Travel - Mark & Lisa Shervill
Respect in Golf Award, sponsored by 54 - Bedfordshire County Golf
Women & Girls’ Trailblazer - Ladies Can Golf
Lifetime Service Award, sponsored by DotGolf - David Lodge
Performance of the Year - Lottie Woad
England Golf Hall of Fame 2026 inductees
John Ball
- First Englishman — and first amateur — to win The Open Championship (1890), completing a rare double by also winning the British Amateur that same year
- Eight‑time winner of The Amateur Championship (1888–1912) with an extraordinary 99–22 match record, establishing himself as one of golf’s dominant early figures
- Represented England in early international matches and remained a competitive amateur for decades, including service in the Boer War
- Celebrated long after his career ended, honoured posthumously with recognition such as induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame; born and shaped by Royal Liverpool GC in Hoylake
Pamela Barton
- Rose to prominence as a teenage golfing prodigy, winning major amateur titles including the French International (1934), British Ladies Amateur (1936 & 1939), and U.S. Women’s Amateur (1936)
- Twice represented Great Britain & Ireland in the Curtis Cup, becoming one of the leading figures in women’s golf of the 1930s
- Served in WWII as an ambulance driver during the Battle of Britain before joining the WAAF as a radio operator and later a command-level officer.
- Died on duty in an air crash in 1943 aged 26; her legacy endures through the Pam Barton Memorial Salver and continued recognition in British women’s golf
David Marsh MBE
- Twice English Amateur champion (1964 at Hollinwell and 1970 at Royal Birkdale) and a 75‑cap England international who became Southport & Ainsdale’s youngest-ever captain in 1967
- Key figure in GB&I’s 1971 Walker Cup victory at St Andrews, later captaining the team in 1973 and 1975
- Held major leadership roles in the game, serving as president of both the Lancashire Union (1985) and the English Golf Union (1988), and as captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club in 1990
- Contributed significantly beyond golf as Everton FC Director and Chairman (1991–94), was appointed MBE in 2011 for services to amateur golf, and passed away in 2022 aged 88
Janet Melville
- Won the 1978 Women’s British Open at age 20 as an amateur — one of only three amateurs ever to win the championship, and the only winner who never turned professional; later added the Women’s Amateur (1987) and the British Stroke Play to complete all three major British titles
- Achieved significant senior success, including the English Senior Women’s Championship (2013) and two Senior Stroke Play titles
- Represented England and GB&I widely across Girls’ and Women’s Home Internationals, European Senior Team Championships (winning silver and two bronzes), the Commonwealth Trophy, and two Vagliano Trophies; captained the Junior Vagliano team in 2022 and 2023
- Now contributes to England Golf as a Women’s and Girls’ Selector, Team Manager, and voluntary Welfare Officer, continuing a lifelong commitment to the game
Justin Rose MBE
- Outstanding amateur career highlighted by wins at the McGregor, Carris, St Andrews Links and Peter McEvoy trophies, plus representation for England and GB&I in the Walker Cup, European Boys’ Team Championship, Jacques Leglise and Bonallack Trophy teams
- Burst onto the global stage with a 4th‑place finish at the 1998 Open Championship as a 17‑year‑old amateur, then turned professional and now has 27 professional titles
- Major achievements include the 2013 U.S. Open, Olympic gold in 2016, the 2007 DP Tour Order of Merit, the 2018 FedEx Cup, and seven Ryder Cup appearances (winning on five occasions). He has also finished runner-up three times at The Masters
- Honoured with an MBE (2017) and the Payne Stewart Award (2021), and, with his wife Kate, created the Rose Series in 2020 to support women’s professional golf during the pandemic
Karen Stupples
- Represented England and GB&I extensively, including two European Ladies’ Team Championships, two Curtis Cups, and a Vagliano Trophy
- Standout collegiate player at Florida State, winning twice and earning All‑ACC honours (1994–95) and Second‑Team All‑American status (1995)
- Turned professional in 1998, winning three times, highlighted by her remarkable 2004 Women’s British Open victory at Sunningdale featuring an eagle–albatross start and a record‑equalling 269 total
- Competed in major team events including two Solheim Cups (winning in 2011), two Lexus Cups, and the 2005 Women’s World Cup; later became a respected broadcaster and an honorary member of Royal Cinque Ports
Joyce Wethered
- Dominant force in inter‑war women’s golf, winning the British Ladies’ Amateur four times (1922–1929) and the English Ladies’ Amateur Championship five years running (1920–1924)
- Captained England, and Great Britain & Ireland at the 1932 Curtis Cup, and was widely regarded as one of the greatest British amateur golfers of her era
- Celebrated for her elegant, technically admired swing, earning praise from leading contemporaries including Bobby Jones
- Maintained amateur status throughout her career; later became Lady Heathcoat‑Amory and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in recognition of her lasting legacy
Peter Wilson
- Long‑serving figure in English amateur golf, contributing to county and national structures and supporting elite players through high‑performance programmes
- Key influence on handicapping: represented the EGU to CONGU, wrote practical guidance for clubs, and developed the Competition Scratch Score system that underpinned the original CONGU approach
- Held extensive voluntary leadership roles across club, county and national levels — including junior development, club captaincy/presidency, county executive work, and championship committees
- Brought professional experience from software and print businesses, maintaining strong Lancashire roots while shaping amateur golf administration in England
ENDS
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org