Peter Fowler was given a stunning Rolex watch at the annual Senior Tour awards dinner after being voted the 2011 Senior Tour player of the year by his fellow Members.
The Australian won the Order of Merit with earnings of €302,327, having won twice – in the ISPS Handa Senior Masters presented by The Stapleford Forum and the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open – and finishing in the top ten in 13 of his 18 appearances.
He pipped Englishman Barry Lane to the John Jacobs Trophy by just over €30,000, capping an impressively consistent season and vastly improving on his 29th place finish in 2010.
Fowler suffered a career-threatening back injury while practising for his Senior Tour debut in the 2009 Jersey Seniors Classic and ultimately played just four times that season. He continued his recovery in 2010, with four top tens, and returned to peak form last year to claim his maiden Senior Tour title and first win for 18 years.
"To get the player of the year award when I'm playing with so many great players is fantastic," said Fowler. "It's nice to get one up on them for once!
"The Rolex is amazing and it's something I'll always treasure. It was a brilliant evening."
The 53 year old is the third Australian winner of the Senior Tour Order of Merit, following Noel Ratcliffe (2000) and Ian Stanley (2001).
Fowler was presented the watch by Richard de Leyser of Rolex.
