FORMER Dunham Forest PGA professional Ian Wrigley has been awarded the coveted status of Fellow of the Professional Golfers’ Association.

Wrigley’s career in professional golf began more than 50 years ago as assistant to the late Dave Thomas and after working in Portugal he returned to England to be the touring pro at Dunham Forest before becoming head professional in 1983.

He retired from the role last year and has been using his expertise in refereeing and coaching assistant professionals in their knowledge of rules.

The award of the fellowship is done by the PGA board of directors after initial recommendation by the council consisting of members of the PGA, representatives from the Royal and Ancient (R&A), the golf industry, an advisor from the university sector and two senior members of the PGA staff.

This body put together a comprehensive criteria which encompasses the life of a PGA professional from his or her early years to the present day from work fulfilment, their role in the community, charity work and beyond, their various playing achievements and their ethos and direction.

They also look carefully at how a person has grown, the way they have made a difference to their job and how they have expanded their own knowledge and self within the world of golf.

Wrigley’s wife Sue said: “This award has been a wonderful boost to him and is very well deserved.”

Meanwhile, the Manchester Alliance’s inter-club knockouts have reached the last 32 after the completion of round one.

In the draw for the City Glass Men’s Foursomes (holders Helsby) the draw affecting local teams features Dunham Forest v Mellor and Townscliffe, Blackley v Davyhulme Park, Pleasington v Altrincham and Ashton on Mersey v Stamford.

The Men’s Seniors KO (holders North Manchester) has gone from strength to strength in its first two years of competition and the draw affecting local clubs is Davyhulme Park v Cavendish.