Rory McIlroy and Michael Bannon working on the range in Dubai in January.Rory McIlroy’s coach Michael Bannon was one of four coaches to receive a High-Performance Coach of the Year Award at the UK Coaching Awards 2012: Supported by Gillette, writes the PGA.

The former Bangor Golf Club head professional follows in the footsteps of PGA Master Professional Pete Cowen who has also won the award and John Jacobs who received a lifetime achievement accolade…

In June this year, McIlroy persuaded Bannon to leave his position at Bangor and become his dedicated full time coach. Since then, he has travelled with McIlroy, primarily on the USPGA Tour, and has been credited with bringing McIlroy back to his top form, winning the USPGA Championship by a record eight shots, and becoming the first golfer to win tournaments in back-to-back weeks on the USPGA Tour since Tiger Woods in 2009…

Michael McCumiskey presents Michael Bannon with his award.

Irish Regional secretary Michael McCumiskey, who presented Bannon with his award, said: “It was a great honour to present the award to Michael who is richly deserving of his recognition.

“Michael said he believed he represents all PGA club professionals who teach the game and that this honour reflected the dedication and skill of all his fellow PGA professionals.