Faldo

Nick commented after the announcement: “I was delighted to hear the news that I will be receiving a knighthood and am more than a little bit humbled to have been afforded this great honour. It has come as a real surprise and the reaction from my children, family and friends has made this a very special moment for me. I’ve been playing golf at the highest level for some thirty-five years or more now; it has always been my intention to do my utmost to develop this game both in Britain and abroad and I am also delighted that my efforts through the Faldo Series have been recognised in this way.
 
“Golf is in so many ways a very British pass-time, and Britain the true home of the sport. In recent times, this nation has produced some of the finest golfers of any generation – players like Tony Jacklin, Ian Woosnam and Sandy Lyle – multiple Major-winning sportsmen that have represented this nation at the very highest level and not been found wanting. I believe I join Sir Henry Cotton as the only other professional British golfer to receive a knighthood so to stand alongside such esteemed company is incredible. I should like if I may to accept this honour as a representative of a sport that has given me so much in my life. I would also like to thank all of the people that have helped make that possible – not least of all my parents, whose unstinting love and support is a real blessing.
 
“On behalf of the Faldo Series I’d also like to say that we are continually grateful for the renewed support of institutions like The R&A, the European Tour and the PGA and I look forward to continuing to work together for the good of the game. The Faldo Series works with young golfers in an effort to identify and nurture golf’s successive generations and I hope that in some small way this honour will serve as inspiration for them.”