Golf: Patrick picks up the PGA's rookie award

The 36-year-old, who was a Mortonhall member when he played in the same winning Walker Cup side as Paul Casey and Luke Donald at Nairn in 1999, came top of the pile of his first-year peers on the PGA Foundation Degree. That has earned him the Major John Bywaters Memorial Trophy and a cheque for 1,000 from golf fanatic DJ Spoony, the guest of honour at the PGA Graduation ceremony at the University of Birmingham.

Patrick, who is now based at Elie Sports Club, joined the pro ranks after that Walker Cup appearance 11 years ago and played on the Challenge Tour for a number of seasons. He won the Skandia PGA Open in 2005 but the rigours of being on Tour and having a young family have seen him swap life on the road to pursue a successful coaching career.

"I'd spent seven years on the Challenge Tour and a combination of factors – finances, happiness and health – meant I needed to do something else as I have got a young family," said the East Alliance champion. "I had always been interested in teaching, I helped my fellow pros when on tour and so taking the three-year PGA foundation degree seemed a good option.

"It's been refreshing as it has been good to have a break from playing all the time. It wasn't too hard to adapt to the studying having done a degree in the United States. I thought there would also be areas I would be strong in given my years on tour while I've always been a bit of a golf geek and read lots about aspects of the game.

"I am enjoying the combination of working and studying and being able to play when I have the opportunity. I certainly don't envisage going back to playing full time or having another crack at the Tour when I finish my course."

PGA chief executive Sandy Jones said: "This is a tremendous achievement for David and marks a year of hard work. He deserves huge applause for his outstanding efforts and I wish him more success during the rest of his foundation degree."