Three of this year's recipients of the Master Professional accolade, which reflects expertise and achievements in golf, have strong West connections.

Nigel Blenkarne, 50, the former director of golf at Bowood and once the West Region member on the PGA board, still lives in Wiltshire.

Kitrina Douglas, who played in the first European Solheim Cup-winning team, is also one of six recipients of the accolade this year.

The multi-talented golfer from Portishead, who represented Long Ashton from her teenage days, has a doctorate in philosophy and won 10 times on the Women's European Tour.

Dr Douglas has been a consultant to the PGA since 1998 and has published several coaching manuals, is passionate about improving coaching methods in golf and making the whole experience positive.

On the course, she won at every level playing more than 20 internationals for England and Great Britain, including an appearance in the Curtis Cup against America. She won the English, British and twice the European championship and is an honorary life member of Long Ashton.

Blenkarne began his career at Salisbury and South Wilts in 1980 where he was head professional before going to Bowood.

He is now involved in the national Young Masters Golf programme, headed by former Cotswold Edge club professional David Gosling, which has proved hugely successful in attracting youngsters into golf.

Blenkarne is currently group director of coaching for Crown Golf but was an accomplished player and spent four years on the European Tour.

He also spent seven years as the English Golf Union's South West regional coach.

The third West personality to be honoured was Richard Bradbeer. Although the 69-year-old was best known as head professional at Royal Birkdale for 21 years from 1980 to 2001, he comes from Burnham-on-Sea.

Before his retirement he was heavily involved in three Open championships that were held at Birkdale where he still lives. He has also coached for both the EGU and Ladies Golf Association.

Nigel Bicknell (Truro) has been made a Fellow of the PGA and Neil Holman (Torbay Golf Centre), formerly at Worlebury, Burnham and Berrow and Churston, becomes an Advanced Professional.