Peter Laugher continues to be coming to phrases with the sudden honour of changing into the PGA’s 84th Captain and becoming a member of an inventory that reads like an abridged who’s who of Nice British and Irish golf.
Laugher succeeded Tim Rouse on the Affiliation’s AGM immediately (March 27) and follows such {golfing} luminaries because the PGA’s co-founders, JH Taylor, James Braid and Harry Vardon, Open champions Sir Henry Cotton and Max Faulkner, in addition to Peter Alliss and three-time Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher.
The 66-year-old was invited to tackle the ambassadorial position by Alan White, the Affiliation’s chairman, in August 2022, however 20 months on continues to be anticipating to be tapped on the shoulder and advised he’s the sufferer of mistaken identification. Both that or it transpires the sudden name from White seems to be a dream.
“It’s an enormous honour and a completely sudden one,” he admitted. “Given {the golfing} legends who’ve been Captain, I nonetheless haven’t obtained over being provided it and am nonetheless pinching myself.
“In actual fact, the speech I’ve written for subsequent month’s PGA’s Commencement Day consists of the road ‘a few of you could be questioning why I’m right here as a result of I definitely am!’
For PGA chief govt Robert Maxfield, nonetheless, Laugher’s appointment is well-deserved, not least due to the voluntary work he has executed to assist his fellow Members and promote the Affiliation all through his profession.
“Peter has served on quite a few PGA committees because the time he was an Assistant skilled,” mentioned Maxfield. “In doing so, he has earned a well-deserved fame amongst his friends for giving again to the sport and taking care of their pursuits.
“I imagine he will probably be a superb ambassador for the Affiliation within the position over the subsequent 12 months.
“I’d additionally wish to take this chance to thank Peter’s predecessor Tim Rouse for the work, effort and enthusiasm he put into the position for the previous yr.”
Reflecting on Laugher’s appointment, White added: “The Captain is the face of the Affiliation for the time she or he is in publish and Peter is the epitome of a PGA Skilled.
“He’s hard-working, very expert, and educated within the enterprise of golf and all the time has a smile on his face. He will probably be a credit score to the Affiliation throughout and after his captaincy.”
Laugher’s appointment as PGA Captain is the end result of a profession that nearly ended earlier than it started when, incomes some pocket cash as a teenage caddy, he obtained a match of the giggles when his consumer had an air shot on the primary tee.
“My introduction to golf began with me going caddying with my next-door-neighbour,” he recalled. “He had the large bag, was carrying a flowery sweater and, standing on the primary tee, he swung and missed. And I laughed.
“He requested me what I used to be laughing at and if I assumed it was simple to hit the ball. I mentioned it may well’t be that troublesome as a result of the ball was stationery. So, he advised me to have a go and I swung and missed!”
Laugher went on to borrow the neighbour’s golf equipment to practise and, falling in love with the sport, began having classes with Frank Accleton, the professional at Rochdale Golf Membership, Lancashire.
Accleton advised Laugher ought to flip professional and employed him as his assistant earlier than his protégé joined PGA Grasp Skilled Howard Bennett at close by Duxbury Park.
Laugher cites Accleton and Bennett as having the largest influences on his profession, and it was the latter who inspired him to become involved with The PGA and representing its Members.
“Howard was going to the Lancashire PGA’s AGM on one event and mentioned I ought to go together with him,” he defined. “After we obtained there, they have been in search of an Assistants’ consultant on committee and Howard nominated me.
“He advised me it’s all the time an excellent factor to place one thing again and from that day in 1980 I served on PGA committees till 2013.”
A lot of that committee work was carried out within the PGA’s West Area throughout Laugher’s spells as director of golf at Dartmouth Golf and Nation Membership and head professional at Thurlestone Golf Membership.
He performed a key position in founding the PGA in Devon and served because the West Area’s chairman for eight years earlier than standing down in 2013 to focus on his position as director of golf at Woodbury Park close to Exeter.
Now, having retired final August, he’s set to signify PGA Members as soon as once more. This time as their Captain.
“It’s a task I’m wanting ahead to immensely, particularly assembly Members throughout Commencement and on the tournaments I’ll attend through the yr,” he added. “That features the PGA Cup in Oregon, which will probably be incredible. There’s additionally the annual PGA lunch to attend – there’s lots to do.
“There can even be loads of speeches to make – coincidentally, once I converse at Commencement will probably be 50 years to the week once I entered registration as an Assistant.
“And the date I turn into Captain would have been my late mom’s 99th birthday. One hopes she and my dad get the chance to look down as they’d be very proud. I definitely am.
“I all the time thought the proudest factor I may ever do can be to play for my nation, however I’ve by no means achieved that. It by no means occurred to me this could be doable, and I suppose captaining my Affiliation eclipses enjoying for my nation.”
