AFTER watching Nick Faldo win the 1987 Open at Muirfield on TV, Paul Mitchell went into the garage of his Cinderford home and found an old croquet stick to start hitting balls with.

Last week, the former Heywood School pupil was named the West region's PGA Coach of the Year.

Paul became a member of the Forest of Dean Golf Club at 13 and was club champion by the time he was 16.

It all started with that old croquet stick, however, bashing balls around the former Double View playing fields (now a housing estate), where he even devised his own three-hole course.

After several weeks, his parents could see he was serious about the game so they bought him a six iron.

Paul is now a senior coach at the prestigious Bristol and Clifton Golf Club, helping players develop on the world stage.

His star pupil is Chris Wood, who Paul first coached as a 14-year-old.

Wood has twice gone close to winning The Open and achieved his first European Tour victory in Abu Dhabi in January. Mitchell has also helped Chris Lloyd attain a full European Tour card and Laurie Canter to qualify for this year's Sunshine Tour.

Dad Graham said: "His mum and I are extremely proud of this acknowledgement.

"Unfortunately he has not received the honour yet as he has been coaching 'Woody' in Miami."