Some golfers play for a lifetime and fail to reach the standards that young Paul Waring, who won the Individual Performance/Achievement award, has already.

At just 19, Paul has progressed to the extent that he now plays off scratch, having only taken up the sport six years ago.

That is an achievement in itself, but the Felixstowe Ferry golfer is also profoundly deaf, and cannot hear when his club strikes the ball – everything is done by touch.

This year has been a remarkable one for the teenager, who won both the English and European Deaf Golf Championships.

He was also part of the England team that won the team trophy.

This year he has also performed at the highest level in able-bodied golf, winning the Midlands Youths Championship, which is an event that attracts world ranking points.

He progressed through a qualifying tournament to play in the Brabazon Trophy, which is the England Golf Open Men’s Championship, the only player from Suffolk to qualify and the first deaf player ever to do so.

Paul also qualified for the match-play stage of the English Men’s Amateur Championship by finishing in the top 64 of the stroke play stage, beating several England internationals in doing so, again, the only Suffolk player and the only deaf golfer to do so. He progressed to the second round of the match-play.

Paul’s mother Sharon, said: “He has done very well in a very competitive sport and the levels he is competing at are different to those in Suffolk.”

Paul won the award ahead of Liam Manser (MTB Cycling) and Adam Steele (Gymnastics) and is keen to maintain the high standards which have brought him this latest award.

“He would like to win some more competitions like the Radison, youth competitions and scratch competitions,” added Sharon.

“Paul wants to compete at the World Amateur Scratch competition and his goals are to get as high as he can.”

The youngster lists US golfer Ricky Fowler as his hero, while there is another familiar name that he holds in high esteem.

“There is a golfer with the same name on the European Tour who Paul talks to quite a bit, so he will be delighted with this achievement,” explained his mother.

The sport is in its off-season now and Paul is working hard to prepare for next season.

“Sharon added: “He is just focused on his golf and on an average day, he will be in the gym in the morning and playing golf in the afternoon.

“He is doing everything he can to get better and better.”