Bottrill, who was presented with the award at the BMW PGA Championship, was delighted with the honur but admitted it was only by accident that he got involved with coaching of this nature.

'To be honest I stumbled upon it,' he said. 'It was years ago in my first club pro?s post at Dartmouth in Sandwell some 12 years ago that I got asked to teach an autistic child of one of my members.

'I didn't know what it entailed really but the whole thing has just snowballed from there.

'I didn't really have any special training as such so it was a learning curve, but at the end of the day, while there are some differences, it's in many ways just like teaching ordinary kids.'

Bottrill forged strong connections with the West Midlands Autistic group and after moving to Shirley continued his work with the Golf Foundation, English Federation of Disability Sport and the PGA where he set up the West Midlands Forum - a group of like-minded pros that run a six week programme across schools in the area.

'Shirley had a thriving junior section when I arrived and with the club also wanting to put something back into the community I just tapped into that,' added Bottrill.

'The club has been amazing - we've raised our own funding and done all the schools in Solihull.

'We really want to grow it across the county.

'It's nice to be recognised with the Toby Sunderland award but I am not the only pro in the Midlands doing this. There is a group of us and it is a good group right across the region bringing golf to all these youngsters.

'It's rewarding, the kids love it and some of the kids I deal with the only time they come outside is when they come to us for a golf lesson. When you realise that it puts it all into perspective.

'I think pros that teach kids feel they are putting something back and the picture I paint is how accessible golf is.

'People often perceive golf as not being accessible but in disability it is very accessible.

'Playing sports like football, tennis and cricket is tough if you haven't got mobility but you can teaching anyone to chip and pitch and hit a golf ball.

'We've got kids who can't run around but because they are standing in one place they can grip and swing a club.

'Golf really lends itself to their needs - I think it's one of the best sports for disabled people and that?s the message I want to raise so that people get out and do it.'

Warren Sunderland of Sunderland Golf commented: 'We chose Stuart because his efforts show personal commitment to using his skills, helping potentially difficult and challenging children enhance their lives through golf and is using his time in the service of others'.

Also nominated for the 2009 Toby Sunderland award were:

Scotland

Jackie Montgomery (Dunbar) for help and support to Dunbar head greenkeeper Graham Wood stricken by a severe stroke.

North

Parnell Reilly (Bradley Park) for donating speaking fees to raise 6K for Forgetmenot Trust for children?s hospice in Huddersfield.

South

Greg Haenan (Boughton) who ran the London Marathon to raise 4K for BLISS - premature babies charity.

West

Peter Laugher (Thurlestone) raised nearly £ 5K for St Luke's Hospice, Plymouth.

East

Maurice Campbell (Leighton Buzzard) raised £ 3K for St Francis Children's Society with bike ride from Land?s End to John O?Groats.

Image of Stuart Bottrill (centre) receiving the Toby Sunderland Award from PGA Captain Jim Farmer (left) and Warren Sunderland (right) is (C) and courtesy of Andy Redington

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