WINCHESTER MP Steve Brine is the Parliamentary Golfer of the Year.

Brine received his award at the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf’s dinner in the House of Lords, where a donation of £5,505 for the Golf Foundation was announced. Brine was acclaimed for helping establish the launch of the International Conference on Golf and Health.

The dinner, hosted by group vice-chairman Baroness Nye of Lambeth, brought together members of both Houses of Parliament, honorary and associate members, group supporters and dinner sponsors, the R&A and the PGA.

Brine said: “To be in the presence of people who have dedicated most of their adult lives to the betterment of the sport is a privilege in itself. As a keen golfer I thank them for everything they have done down the years to enable hackers like me to enjoy our hobby.

“And I’m humbled to receive this award for what, to me, was just speaking up for something I truly believe in – the mental and physical health benefits of being out in the fresh air playing golf. We can’t all be Dustin Johnson, but we can all reap the health rewards from walking the fairways regularly.”