R&A's Peter Dawson to receive lifetime achievement award

R&A's Peter Dawson to receive lifetime achievement award

The R&A's Chief Executive, Peter Dawson, will receive a special lifetime achievement award at the 2014 HSBC Golf Business Forum, which takes place at the Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa from April 28-30.

The award recognises outstanding contribution, achievement and leadership in both the game and business of golf.

The likes of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player have won the accolade in the past, with George O'Grady and Tim Finchem - The European Tour's Chief Executive and the PGA Tour Commissioner respectively - sharing the lifetime achievement award in 2013.

Peter Dawson, a three-handicap golfer, became Chief Executive of the R&A in 1999 following a career in the engineering industry.

Guy Kinnings, Global Head of Golf at IMG - which took over ownership of the Golf Business Forum in 2013 - said:

"Everyone in the world of golf will be delighted to hear that this prestigious award will be presented to Peter Dawson at this year's forum.

"His appointment to The R&A as Chief Executive was an inspired choice and his contributions to the world of golf throughout his 15-year tenure are too many to mention.

"For me personally, the major role he played in returning golf to the Olympics was a crucial moment for the game.

"He's a true ambassador for golf and the sport is all the richer for having him at the helm."

Dawson will also be speaking at the forum, alongside Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports, Giles Morgan, HSBC's Global Head of Sponsorship and Events, the BBC's Andrew Cotter and a host of other golf industry-associated names.

The HSBC Golf Business Forum has been running since 2004 and attracts more than 250 delegates each year, from industry leaders and investors to journalists.