Neil receives the 2005 Eastern Chapter of the Southern Texas PGA Harvey Penick Teacher of the Year Award.

Neil Wilkins, director of instruction for Sienna Plantation Golf Club, has again been named "Harvey Penick Teacher of the Year" for the Eastern Chapter of the Southern Texas PGA.
Wilkins also won the honor in 2003. He has been nominated as "Teacher of the Year" seven times.

"I really appreciate being recognized," Wilkins said. "There are so many phenomenal teachers in this area."

The award is given for overall excellence in golf instruction, performance as a golf professional and involvement in the golfing community.

Wilkins was recognized earlier this year for his contributions to golf when he was named "Dick Forester Pro of the Year" by GolfReach Ministries during the 3rd Annual TPI "Pro" Classics. Wilkins also was named one of the state’s top 25 golf instructors by Golf Digest in 2002.
"I really think this year has been my best year," said Wilkins, who, in addition to coaching PGA tour player Ryan Palmer, has had seven students signed this year to play collegiate golf.
A better awareness of students’ positioning as they swing has helped Wilkins give more effective and permanent instruction, he said.

"The more I can help students understand what they are actually doing, the more I can help them permanently improve their swing," Wilkins said. "I really have to say I’ve learned quite a bit from Ryan. He is so incredibly aware of what occurs when swinging a club. There are a lot of blind spots in the one-and-a-half-second motion."