pˈɑːɹkɪn wʌz nˈeɪmd ðə sˌɜː hˈɛnɹi kˈɑːʔn̩ ɹˈʊki ʌvðə jˈɪɹ ɪn hɪz deɪbjˈuː sˈiːzən ɔnðə jˌʊɹɹəpˈiən tˈʊɹ ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd ˈeɪɾi fˈoːɹ, hˌævɪŋ fˈɪnɪʃt ɪn sˈɪksti fˈɪfθ plˈeɪs ɔnðɪ ˈɔːɹdɚɹ ʌv mˈɛɹɪt dᵻspˈaɪt ˈoʊnli dʒˈɔɪnɪŋ ðə tˈʊɹ ɪn dʒuːlˈaɪ.
Parkin was named the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year in his début season on the European Tour in 1984, having finished in 65th place on the Order of Merit despite only joining the tour in July.