Retired golf secretary earns BBC Unsung Hero Award

Barnham Broom's former secretary has been presented with the BBC Unsung Hero Award at the Norfolk Sports Awards

unsung hero

Retired Barnham Broom Golf Club secretary Robin Brooks has been honoured by the BBC at the Norfolk Sports Awards.

The 78-year-old was handed the BBC Unsung Hero Award, which recognises an individual who has dedicated their life to the promotion and welfare of sport, both professionally and voluntarily.

Robin was nominated for the awards - organised by Active Norfolk - for his tireless efforts in developing Barnham Broom's junior section.

Just last month, the Norfolk club was given the High Achiever GolfMark Award, which acknowledges exceptional junior and beginner-friendly golf facilities.

Robin voluntarily set up Barnham Broom's junior academy, which now boasts 50 members. He is also responsible for running the academy and inspiring numerous young golfers.

Robin - who also acts as secretary for the men's committee at Barnham Broom and Secretary and Treasurer to the Norfolk Links Group - will now progress to the regional final.

If he's successful, he could be in the running for the Unsung Hero award at the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year ceremony in December.

"Robin has made everybody's jobs so much easier with his knowledge and his willingness to help out whenever he can," said Alan Hemsley, Golf Professional at Barnham Broom.

"He has been a true inspiration to all who have met him down the years and will be dearly missed.

"The junior academy and the GolfMark status is a fantastic legacy to leave us with and we will do our utmost to carry on his good work."

Nick Bonfield
Content Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, commissioning and feature writing. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x