With British troops now withdrawn from combat operations in Afghanistan, an award winning Surrey golf professional is hoping he can continue helping injured service men and women on their road to recovery.

World of Golf’s Jon Woodroffe, recently crowned English PGA south coach of the year, has spent the past three years helping coach soldiers on the road to recovery as part of the PGA’s golf buddy programme.

The New Malden-based coach has also overseen the programme by pairing up fellow pros across the country with injured soldiers.

About 50 pros are involved in the nationwide initiative, which gives injured soldiers the opportunity to play golf and have free coaching in the heart of their community as they go about rebuilding their lives following life-changing illnesses or injuries – the majority sustained in action.

And Woodroffe reckons the benefits for coach and golfer are mutual.

“I’ve been involved with the programme for over three years now and have been so impressed with the enthusiasm of the PGA Professionals I contact regarding giving free golf coaching to injured service personnel,” said Woodroffe.

“They are always so keen to help and the feedback from them afterwards is they profoundly enjoy being able to enhance lives through our great sport.

“When I conduct three-day golf coaching camps at Betchworth Park Golf Club each summer I see it bring together people who are able to share experiences and advice with people they would not normally get a chance to meet.

“Their love of the game and desire to improve is the glue that binds them together, allows them to spend time with people who really understand their situation in a way I and most others are totally unable to do.

“After the coaching on the range, the guys gather for coffee and you can see them growing from learning from each other’s experiences and this is a huge help in repairing these guys emotionally and psychologically.”