GOLF professional Parnell Reilly is a man used to winning medals.

But none of the monthly medals he has won at golf over the years can compare with his latest accolade.

For the Bradley Park professional has just been honoured with a NATO medal for his services to the armed forces.

The citation arrived “completely out of the blue” in a brown envelope and follows Parnell’s five-day visit to Afghanistan with Colin Montgomerie and Eddie Bullock, the 2011 captain of the Professional Golf Association (PGA), 19 months ago.

The official name of his medal is the “non-article 5 NATO medal for services with NATO in relation to ISAF” (the UN International Security Assistance Force). It was awarded “in service of peace and freedom.”

Parnell, 64, said: “The medal came in the post and it was a complete shock.

“I was so excited to be asked to do the Afghanistan trip, I never expected to get a reward for it. You just think of doing what you can for the PGA and, in this case, the armed forces.

“It is a great honour and very humbling.”

Parnell’s secret tour of duty was a morale-boosting trip for the troops. The golfers took the Ryder Cup out with them, along with sets of clubs and golf balls.

They gave a golf master class on the firing range at Camp Bastion as well as golf clinics for hundreds of servicemen and women stationed there.

They also gave free lessons to Afghan children on a football field inside the British base – none of whom had ever seen golf before.

During the trip, Parnell, Monty and Eddie wore full Osprey body armour, helmets and goggles when travelling in separate armoured vehicles across Kabul.

Parnell has described his Afghanistan visit as “a life-changing experience.”

Clive Walters, head of joint operations in Afghanistan said of the trip: “To say the visit was an unmitigated success would be an understatement. Everyone they met was bowled over by the team’s enthusiasm, friendliness and genuine delight to be there.

“I have never seen such an excited and positive response from the men and women under my command.

“In my opinion, the team topped Cheryl Cole’s visit by some considerable distance – but not in looks!”

Parnell, who was PGA captain from 2007 to 2009, is entitled to wear his medal on Armistice Day and his ribbon any time.

The modest golfer added: “I don’t think I will wear the medal, I will get it framed.

“I don’t feel like I deserve it. Without a doubt it is every single one of the troops out in Afghanistan who deserves a medal. Their bravery, dedication and hard work are second to none.”