Dawson, who is also chief executive of golf's ruling body the Royal and Ancient (R&A), was presented with the award by Italian golfer Matteo Manassero, who won the European Tour's PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club last year and was winner of the Silver Medal as the leading amateur at the 2009 Open Championship at Turnberry.

The presentation was made at the Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, which is hosting this year's Forum and recognised Dawson's outstanding contribution, achievement and leadership in both the game and business of golf.

George O'Grady, chief executive of The European Tour, and Tim Finchem, PGA Tour Commissioner, were joint recipients of the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Past winners include major Championship winners Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer of the United States; South African Gary Player and Greg Norman of Australia.

Dawson, 65, announced earlier this month he would be stepping down as chief executive of the R&A in September 2016 after 16 years in the role in a move that will also see him leave his position as secretary of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

The Scot was instrumental in changing the R&A's structure, which saw it separate from the private member Royal and Ancient Golf Club in 2004 to form a separate entity to run The Open Championship, which has experienced an increase in commercial revenue, and govern the sport of golf.

Italian golfer Matteo Manassero presents Dawson with his Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2014 HSBC Golf Business Forum in Abu Dhabi ©Getty Images



"It's a thrill to receive this in front of so many people who are involved in the business of golf and love the game," said Dawson, on receiving the award.

"It's a particular thrill to receive this from Matteo - I have known him for many years and at such a young age he is a fantastic ambassador for golf."

Following his appointment as joint secretary of the IGF in 1999, Dawson helped to secure the return of golf to the Olympic programme at Rio 2016 after more than a century since its last appearance at the Games.

In 2010 he was appointed President of the IGF and recently had his term of office extended by the IGF Board to include Rio 2016.

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