A VOLUNTEER from Rossendale Golf Club has been crowned coach of the year in a national awards.

Bev Dodd, 55, scooped the prize at the England Golf Partnership’s annual volunteer of the year awards at Loughborough University.

Miss Dodd, from Edenfield, has dedicated countless hours on the course in Ewood Lane Head, Haslingden, since getting involved nine years ago.

She acts as the club’s junior development officer and has trained as a level one coach after making the switch from hockey.

The awards panel described her work as ‘outstanding’ and said she was ‘an instrumental figure’ in Rossendale acquiring the Golfmark award in recognition of its junior and beginner-friendly facilities.

She said: “I was really surprised by the award and feel very proud and honoured to have been selected, it’s wonderful.

“Since my hockey days playing for Blackburn I’ve always been into the administrative side of the game, captaining and coaching.

“I love it at the club, working with the professionals and encouraging our active junior and ladies’ sections to continue growing.

“We have more academies coming up at Easter and I just love watching the kids come through.”

The England Golf Partnership (EGP) is a group which brings together the sport’s amateur governing body, England Golf and the Professional Golfers’ Association, supported by the Golf Foundation and Sport England.

Miss Dodd, a self-employed training consultant, was nominated for the award by Rossendale’s ladies’ committee.

A 10 handicap player herself, she said her current focus was on a new beginners’ class for ladies.

Steve Nicholls, Rossendale’s head professional, said: “Bev has a genuine enthusiasm for junior golf and she is a fantastic asset for our golf club.”

Phil Beard, the EGP’s volunteer manager, said: “Volunteers are wonderful people who give up their time to inspire others to take up and enjoy golf.

“They play a crucial part in growing the game and these awards recognise and underline their importance.”