A fond farewell for former county champion

Phil Weaver, as most will know him, has been the Head PGA Professional at Coventry for the past 35 years.

Weaver started his career at the age of 15 as an assistant at Beau Desert Golf Club, Staffordshire, where he was acquainted with Jack Woodman, the club professional at the time.

He moved on to Great Barr under pro Joe Sutton and to Coventry as senior assistant Professional in 1966.

Weaver won numerous tournaments around the Midlands and won the Warwickshire Open seven times.

He was the Warwickshire Professional champion on four occasions, Midland Assistants champion in 1972, Midland Matchplay champion in 1975, Warwickshire Matchplay champion in 1981 and represented Great Britain and Ireland in the PGA Cup International in 1982 and 1983.

Weaver became Head Professional in 1979 and was also chairman of the Midlands PGA between 1985 and 1987 and served as vice-chairman on the Executive Committee.

He was elected to the Board of Directors of the PGA in 1988 and took over as chairman a year later, also serving as joint chairman of the Ryder Cup Committee.

He has now stood down as chairman of the Board after a record 25 years of service but will remain on the Ryder Cup Committee.

Weaver was awarded an Honorary Degree by the University of Dublin in 2006 and the OBE for services to golf in the Queens Birthday Honours list in 2012.

For the last 10 years he has been the course manager for Coventry where his aim was to restore the club surroundings to a natural parkland course.

A commemorative oak tree has been planted on the course to honour Weaver’s services.