A FORMER Dinas Powys woman has been crowned Welsh Golf Professional of the Year.

Nicola Stroud, the only woman to have won this prestigious award, was presented with the accolade at the Golf Union of Wales Awards 2014 held at the Celtic Manor by Ken Skates Welsh AM.

Nicola, together with tour pro Jamie Donaldson and LPGA Amy Boulder, were on a question and answer panel sharing their experiences in the world of golf.

2014 has been a great year for Nicola, who now lives on the Gower.

She has been a golf professional for more than 20 years and qualified as a PGA advanced golf professional, of which there are very few pros with this qualification. Having struggled as a child with her mental strength on the golf course she has also become a certified coach in Golf Psychology.

Other awards gained have been Swansea City and county Community Sports Coach of the Year 2013, for which she has been shortlisted again this year to defend her title, and Sports Wales and BBC Wales finalist for Welsh Sports Community Coach of the Year 2014.

Nicola was educated at Murch Junior School and Bishop of LLandaff seniors.

Nicola is changing the face of golf by dedicating her Academy to taking golf out into the community working on projects with local police to help children from difficult to reach communities, to learn golf and build better relationships with their local police officers.

She also coaches people with disabilities such as visually impaired, amputee golfers and special needs.