One of Bermuda?s longest-serving and most popular golf professionals, Frankie Rabain, has been made an honorary member of the British Professional Golfers? Association (PGA).

The honour was bestowed on the Port Royal veteran at the last executive meeting of the PGA at their Belfry headquarters in Sutton Coldfield, England, earlier this month.

And Rabain received the news when he opened his mail yesterday morning.

?I?m absolutely thrilled,? he told . ?I was just lost for words when I saw the letter. It means an awful lot to me. It?s a great honour.?

Rabain, who at 72 can still be found almost every day at the Port Royal clubhouse, has enjoyed a close affiliation with the British PGA for several years.

He played in the British Open after qualifying at Royal Birkdale in 1973 ? three years before he took over as head professional from Walter King at Government?s Southampton course.

In recent years he?s qualified four times for the British Senior Open and once for the US Senior Open and remains a familiar face in many local tournaments.

News of his honorary membership came via a letter from PGA secretary David K.C. Wright who wrote:

?Dear Francis,

?It gives me great pleasure to write and advise you that at their meeting held at Centenary House earlier this month, the Executive Committee have unanimously approved a recommendation to accord you the privilege of Honorary membership of The Professional Golfers? Association with immediate effect.

?In arriving at this decision the Executive Committee took into account the tremendous commitment you have given to the Association since turning professional and being elected to membership in March, 1970.

?While you have chosen to pursue your career in professional golf at Bermuda, it has been your role as a club professional at Ocean View and then at Port Royal that has, not surprisingly, in recent years, been the subject of much discussion frequently focusing on the tremendous commitment that you have given to developing the game in your home land.

?In this respect you will have many memories, I am sure, of introducing individual family members at the various clubs you have been attached to this special game we all share a love and respect for and subsequently, perhaps, introducing their children and grandchildren in time . . . happy memories no doubt!

?That, added to the extraordinary commitment that you have given professional golf for all those years, has all added up to a remarkable career . . . well done!

?In concluding this letter may I offer the Executive Committee?s sincerest congratulations and best wishes, coupled with my own, upon this special recognition.?