Champion golfer Bradley Neil has scored the top title at a prestigious local awards ceremony.
The 22-year-old, from Blairgowrie, won the Perth and Kinross Sports Personality of the Year accolade, beating competition from rugby star James Fleming and Commonwealth Youth Games gold medallist Scott McLay.
The European Tour golfer wasn’t around to collect the award during the ceremony at Perth’s Dewar’s Centre, but he tweeted his thanks from Atlanta in the United States.
He wrote: “Can’t believe I have won. Massive thanks to everyone for the support and congratulatory messages.”
The awards are held each year to honour Perthshire’s top athletes, coaches, volunteers and clubs.
Twelve prizes were handed out at the ceremony which was compered by broadcaster and Courier columnist Jim Spence, and featured an inspirational speech from round-the-world cyclist Mark Beaumont.
Provost Dennis Melloy also led tributes to late curling champ Charles “Chuck” Hay, who died last year.
The event was organised by Perth and Kinross Sports Council in conjunction with Live Active Leisure, in front of an audience of some of the area’s best-known sporting stars.
Sports development officer at Live Active Leisure, Laura Munro said: “This was a fantastic evening which celebrated the incredible sportspeople that we can be proud to say hail from Perth and Kinross.
“All of our finalists in each of the 12 categories had a fantastic 2017 in their respective sports and thoroughly deserved to be shortlisted. It was certainly a difficult task for our panel to make the decision on the winners of each of the awards.”
She said: “We would like to extend our gratitude to all of the evening’s sponsors and supporters who helped make the event a success. With the Commonwealth Games coming up on the Gold Coast next month, we’re sure there will be plenty of contenders for next year’s awards.”
Basketball player Ben Leitch won Disability Sports Person of the Year; fencing star Mark Alvares-Peres was crowned Young Male Sports Person of the Year and gymnast Lilly Roy took home the Young Female Sports Person award.
Other winners included:
Official of the year: Isla Buchanan (football)
Volunteer of the year: Russel Kesson (basketball)
Team of the year: Perthshire Hockey men’s first team
Young Coach of the Year: Louise Brett (athletics and Boccia)
Club of the Year: Auchterarder Gymnastics Club
George Mortimer Award for Service to Sport: Nancy Davidson (Athletics)
School Team of the Year: Auchterarder Gymnastics Level 3 Team
Coach of the Year: Ann Dickson (swimming)
