Talent, practiced … coached: Michael
Bannon wins top award
The UK High Performance Coach of the Year Awards are out, and in the non-Olympic category, it is Michael Bannon, swinging clear of the competition.
"I'm just so delighted with it - I can't believe it," he said. "When I got the letter a few weeks ago that the PGA and Ireland had nominated me, I thought they had got the wrong address".
Before he had turned professional, Bannon had played out of Belvoir Park, but had lost the final of the Irish Amateur Close at Royal County Down to Ronan Rafferty.
Earlier in 2011, Bannon had been recognized with PGA’s Coach of the Year award. This year’s accolade was presented to him by UK Patron HRH the Princess Royal in a beautifully glittering ceremony.
It is testimony to the fact that he and his team can deliver world class coaching to the ambitious golfers.
Bannon has been coaching Rory McIlroy since he was seven. Bannon, the former Bangor and Holywood pro has, since October 2012, at the behest of the world number one, decided that his coaching dedications would now be full-time.
Since October, Bannon has travelled widely with McIlroy and has been largely credited with bringing the young 23-year old to top form.
McIlroy managed to pull off a record win by eight shots at the US PGA Championship, also becoming the first golfer, since Tiger Woods in 2009, to win back-to-back tournaments on the US PGA Tour.
Bannon has credited the Irishman’s achievements with boosting the level of interest in golf.
To Bannon, there is also that Rory factor that gets numerous people to watch golf, people who did not have the faintest idea about the sport before.
McIlroy has jumped to over 1.4 million followers on Twitter, overtaking Ryan Cup hero, Ian Poulter, who stood at 1.3 million.
PGA Director of education and career development Dr Kyle Phillpots paid tribute to Bannon’s achievements.
He said it was great seeing PGA Professionals recognized for their roles in the success of outstanding golfers.
"Taking Rory from a young boy to major success shows the range of skills that Michael has as a coach. For the player/coach relationship to develop as it has over the years demonstrates the level of trust that Rory has in Michael who has clearly been the
Right Coach in the Right Place at the Right Time".
Irish Regional secretary Michael McCumiskey, who presented him with his award, said of Bannon,
"He has been a teacher of the game for 30 years and to all kinds of golfer. And such is his dedication he has even volunteered himself to conduct a seminar for fellow PGA members relating to coaching".
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