Tom Lewis and Alison Nicholas were golf’s winners at the annual Sports Journalists’ Association Awards lunch in London on Wednesday.
Lewis won The Peter Wilson Trophy for Best International Newcomer while Nicholas picked up the Spirit of Sport Award at the glittering ceremony held at the Grand Connaught Rooms in Great Queen Street in front of a 400-strong audience which comprised many of the Britain’s leading sportswriters and sporting figures.
Lewis – who won the Portugal Masters on The European Tour on only his third professional appearance following a glittering amateur career – was not able to be present at the ceremony but conveyed this thanks via a video message after receiving the award on screen from golf journalist Paul Trow.
Nicholas, who captained Europe to a thrilling victory over the United States in the Solheim Cup in September, received her award from former Welsh rugby union international Ieuan Evans before paying a glowing tribute to her team for their stunning 15-13 triumph at Killeen Castle.
Other golfers to merit a mention were two Major Championships winners of 2011, Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke, who were both shortlisted for the Sportsman of the Year award. McIlroy eventually took third place in that poll behind runner-up Mo Farrah and winner, cyclist Mark Cavendish.
For a full report on the awards ceremony go tohttp://www.sportsjournalists.co.uk/
