The PGA Professional magazine - October 2021

THE OFFICIAL PGA MEMBERS’ MAGAZINE

PROFESSIONAL VOLUME 17 ISSUE 9

OCTOBER 2021

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THE OFFICIAL PGA MEMBERS’ MAGAZINE

PROFESSIONAL VOLUME 17 ISSUE 9

OCTOBER 2021

STARTING THE CONVERSATION Putting your mental health first

SULTANS OF SWING Working in Oman

ROLE MODEL

Coaching Solheim Cup star Leona Maguire

FIND A GOLF LESSON LAUNCHED Join the hundreds of PGA Professionals signing up

Justin Thomas

O N LY

Sophia Popov

Webb Simpson

Nelly Korda

#1 BALL IN GOLF

Adam Scott

Jordan Spieth

There’s only one most trusted. Only one most consistent. Only one most advanced.

The all-new Pro V1 ® and Pro V1x.® Always bring your best.

CONTENTS FEATURES

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MEMBERS RETAIL Q&A

START THE CONVERSATION Putting your mental health first

Steven Maxwell, Head PGA Professional at Paisley Golf Club in Scotland, offers the inside track on his retail operation

INTERNATIONAL

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SULTANATE OF SWING Oman is proving a great place to work for a growing number of PGA Members

TRAVEL

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LAST MINUTE GETAWAYS Fantastic offers for you and your members

OUR TOP BREAKS FOR 2022

INSIDE THE PGA

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ROBERT MAXFIELD This month from The PGA’s Chief Executive

Now is the best time to start planning for an overseas trip

COACHING

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ROLE MODEL’ Leona Maguire’s heroics at the 2021 Solheim Cup can inspire the next generation of female golfers in Ireland

PGA NEWS A round up of what’s happening across The PGA and its regions

THE OFFICIAL PGA MEMBERS’ MAGAZINE

PROFESSIONAL Editor: Jane Carter jane.carter@golfconsulting.co.uk PGA News and Features: steven.carpenter@pga.org.uk Equipment and Trade Editor: nick.bayly@pgapublishing.co.uk Advertising Sales: commercial@pga.org.uk Recruitment Advertising: recruitment@pga.org.uk Contributors: Golfbreaks, Crossover Technologies, Photographers: Getty Images, Adobe Stock, Production Assistant: Kelly Lewis Design: Andrew Beavis andy@whiteshadowmedia.co.uk PGA National Headquarters Centenary House The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield West Midlands B76 9PT Tel: 01675 470 333 This magazine contains images taken prior to Covid-19

SUBMIT YOUR CPD Time is running out, CPD journal submission deadline fast approaching

MEMBERS SPOTLIGHT Leah Roelich works as the Lead Surrey County Coach for the under-15s girls’ squad

PGA RETAIL

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TRADE NEWS Latest industry news

GETTING AHEAD WITH YOUR OFF-SEASON GRIP SALES Generate that extra bit of revenue during the quieter winter months

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MARKETING

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FIND A GOLF LESSON LAUNCHED

TRADE TALK

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Lionel Caron, President of Srixon Sports Europe, talks about the company’s 20-year journey

STEPPING UP

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Trainer-inspired designs and recycled materials are just some of the latest footwear trends for 2022

NOT JUST FOR LOCKDOWNS Discover the benefits of XPOS Caddie

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Join the hundreds of PGA Professionals signing up

MEMBERSHIP

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YOUR BENEFITS A selection of special deals and offers secured for you by The PGA

RECRUITMENT

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SITUATIONS VACANT All the latest recruitment opportunities

The Professional Golfers’ Association Limited accepts no responsibility for the products or services offered by the advertisers in this publication nor does it necessarily agree with any views expressed, statements or claims made by the advertisers in this publication. ©The Professional Golfers’

Association Limited 2021 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photography and recording, without the written permission of the copyright holder, application for which should be addressed to the copyright holder (PGA). ®PGA is a registered trademark of The Professional Golfers’ Association Limited Prostate Cancer UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1005541) and in Scotland (SC039332). Registered company 02653887 www.facebook.com/thepga www.linkedin.com/company/ professional-golfers-association www.twitter.com/thepga www.instagram.com/thepga www.youtube.com/thepga

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PGA Principal Partners

Making the Business of Golf Happen PGA Partners

Centenary House, The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B76 9PT www.pga.info PGA® is a registered trademark of The Professional Golfers’ Association Limited.

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FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

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n this issue we look at the difficult but important subject of mental health and how many of you have been affected during the past 18 months. It is becoming less of a stigma to admit to mental health issues as society has recognised the increasing pressures life places on all of us, and especially during the pandemic.

As business owners, sometimes with a young and inexperienced team, it is easy to feel alone and unsupported. Challenging golf club members and directors, business pressures due to the retail supply problems, an increasing demand on your time to cover many additional front-line services, are all issues being fed back to our Business Relationship Officers, Regional Managers and Membership Services.

your CPD learning is fast approaching. The employment market in all sectors, including the golf industry, is becoming increasingly competitive and PGA Professionals will be judged more and more on their CVs, the new skills they have acquired and their commitment to selfimprovement. Please ensure you join the hundreds of Members registering your hours of learning on our CPD platform by the end of October.

As we go through our annual Member renewals period, many of you will have completed the important questionnaire during the renewal process. We need to understand the challenges facing Members and the best ways we can support you through expanding or adding services. We take your views very seriously and this important

As winter approaches, the stresses will continue, and your mental health and peace of mind must be your first priority.

We are here to support you.

You are not alone. As an Association, we take our responsibility to support you in dealing with mental health issues very seriously. There is a mental health helpline and other help available.

Please do pick up the phone and speak to one of the PGA Business Relationship Officers. As winter approaches, the stresses will continue, and your mental health and peace of mind must be your first priority. We are here to support you.

The end of the year is fast approaching, and we are already beginning preparation for 2022 and hopefully a ‘back to normal’ year. The tournament season is coming to a close and our thanks to all those behind the scenes and players who have made it happen in very difficult circumstances. At one point we wondered if we would be able to play any tournaments at all but thanks to the support of golf clubs and Members we have managed to stage a comprehensive schedule of events across the Regions and nationally. A particular success has been the WPGA Series sponsored by OCEANTEE which has been very well received.

For those Members seeking to maintain their Accredited Status, the closing date for registering

feedback allows us to improve and grow as an Association.

The Find a Golf Lesson is just one of the new services we are providing. It is live on our PGA website and for those of you who have yet to complete your profiles, please do so in the coming days. The coaching market has seen huge growth as we welcome back golfers and those new to the game. Many of you have invested heavily in swing studios for the winter periods, extending the coaching season to be year-round. Having a steady pipeline of customers will help you repay that investment many times over.

If people needed any encouragement to carry on playing the game or even take it up, the Ryder Cup provided just that. It remains the game’s flagship event and the envy of many other sports, and rightly so. Our congratulations to the PGA of America for staging the event in difficult circumstances and congratulations to the United States team on their victory.

Robert Maxfield CHIEF EXECUTIVE The PGA Professional

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NEWS

Rouse to become PGA Captain in 2023 The PGA has invited Tim Rouse, a Member with a wealth of varied experience and an arsenal of skills befitting the modern-day professional, to become its Captain in 2023.

The 62-year-old has been the head professional at Northants County Golf Club for three decades, designed courses, captained the Association’s Midland region, served on a variety of committees as well as The PGA’s main board, and his coaching has been instrumental in former Ryder Cup star Paul Broadhurst winning two Senior majors. He will succeed Sarah Bennett as the Association’s 82nd Captain in April 2023.

Commenting on the appointment, The PGA’s chairman, Alan White, said: “The Captain is the face of the Association for the time he or she is in post, so it is a very important appointment.

“Tim has a wealth of golfing experience, is a safe pair of hands, and has done so much for the Association. It’s our privilege to give him the opportunity to be our Captain.

“I know how honoured and excited Tim is. The list of Captains includes former Ryder Cup players and captains and to have your name on it is very special.”

The roster of PGA Captains includes the present incumbent, Bernard Gallacher, Peter Alliss, Dave Thomas, Bernard Hunt, Dai Rees, Henry Cotton and Tommy Horton, the first member of the elite band Rouse encountered.

“We’d finished our training course at Lilleshall and he came to see us and wish us all well, Rouse recalled. “He was a top player

at the time as well as being PGA Captain.”

That meeting took place in 1979 and since then Rouse, a member of the Professional Golfers Architects’ Association, has designed courses in Tarporley, Cheshire, and East Sussex. He was also a PGA swing instructor and examiner from 1983 until 2019, has captained both the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire PGAs, and been the Midlands professional and coach of the year in 2001 and 2016 respectively.

The bulk of his career, however, has been spent at Northants County where, in addition to coaching and running the pro shop, he has overseen the construction of an indoor academy and organises an annual pro-am that, to date, has raised sufficient funds to train 11 guide dogs for the blind.

“It’s been quite a career and this tops the whole thing,” he added. “I’m very, very proud, very honoured and didn’t expect it at all. It’s been a bit of a shock, but I’m thrilled and delighted.”

Rouse will have 18 months to prepare for the role before he takes over from Bennett but will become Captain-elect in April 2022 when she succeeds Gallacher. In the meantime, he plans to find out as much about the job as possible.

“I’ll be seeing Bernard and Sarah next week, so I’ll have a chat with them,” he said.

“And Peter Hanna, Bernard’s predecessor, has been a big pal of mine for many years.

“I’ll ask him if he has any advice regarding the role. I’ll have to tell him I wasn’t expecting this to happen so haven’t made any notes over the years!”

Lowry awarded Tooting Bec Cup trophy Irishman Shane Lowry has been presented with the Tooting Bec Cup - the oldest trophy the PGA Membership plays for – following his recent performance at the 2021 Open Championship.

The Tooting Bec Cup was first played for as a 36-hole strokeplay tournament shortly after The PGA was founded in 1901. It was presented by the Tooting Bec Golf Club, who hosted the first tournament, and the inaugural winner was J H Taylor, one the Association’s three founders.

Sadly the Tooting Bec Golf Club no longer exists and the criteria for winning the cup has changed as a consequence.

It is now awarded to the PGA Member born in, or with a parent or parents born in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, who posts the lowest score in The Open.

Lowry, an Honorary Member of The PGA as a result of his Open Championship triumph at Royal Portrush in 2019, achieved that this year when he posted a five under par total of 65 in the second round.

Lowry also won the Braid Taylor Memorial Medal which, introduced in 1966 and subject to the same criteria as the Tooting Bec Cup, is presented to the Association’s Member who finishes highest in The Open Championship.

PGA Chief Executive Robert Maxfield presented Lowry with his medals on the eve of the 2021 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

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NEWS

Therabody join Partnership Programme

Todd clocks up the miles to raise funds for The Golf Foundation The restrictions on everyday life brought on by the Coronavirus forced many of us to try new things. Allan Todd thought he’d give running a go. Now, he’s steeling himself for the Virtual London Marathon at the start of October.

“You can blame lockdown on this,” said the Prestwick PGA Assistant with a chuckle. “The plan was to lose a bit of weight when the restrictions came in so I started running back in April 2020.

“Part of the motivation was proving to myself that I could stick to it. You do get addicted to it and you get a massive buzz from trying to improve your times. You keep upping the miles to find that next challenge.”

Todd’s 26-mile, self-planned route will take him from his home in Ayr, across 10 golf courses in the local vicinity before he gasps to a finish amid a ticker tape parade at the Prestwick clubhouse.

The 32-year-old is raising money for the Golf Foundation and he is already well on course to break his £1,000 target.

Todd has already completed five halfmarathons while a charity run for the MS Society saw him bound through 200km in a month.

“I’m sitting at 1200 km since early January,” he reported as he builds towards the main event.

“I’m clocking up the miles. It’s a bit like golf. You only get out of it what you put in.”

The PGA is delighted to announce that Therabody, the global wellness innovator and the creator of Theragun®, has joined its official partnership programme.

As a Principal Partner, Therabody will join an elite group of businesses that represent the highest level of partnership with The PGA. They are leaders in their business area and will benefit from a broad marketing platform to engage PGA Members and the wider golfing community.

Therabody will share educational content with PGA Members on the benefits of its wellness technology devices and how the products can be integrated into golfers’ warm-up and recovery routines. This will be available through the Association’s new digital CPD platform, PGA Learn, which allows PGA Members to consume a wide range of learning and CPD content.

Additional support and training will be provided to PGA Members who wish to stock Therabody products in their golf shops, to help them best optimise sales and educate their customers on ideal products and protocols for their specific ailments and areas of soreness.

David Adams, PGA Head of Commercial Partnerships, said: “One of the Association’s key missions is to improve the personal and professional lives of our Members and, as a market leader in health and wellbeing, Therabody aligns with those values and our ambitions.

In addition, PGA Members will gain access to Therabody University, the company’s education division, which offers accredited courses on how to effectively introduce its products into training and recovery routines.

“We look forward to introducing and educating PGA Members and golfers of all ages and abilities about the benefits of Therabody products and how golf can improve their health.”

Dr. Jason Wersland, Founder and Chief Wellness Officer of Therabody, added: “Golfers have been incredibly receptive to our products and our mission since Therabody’s early days, and I’m thrilled we are able to partner with another layer of the golf community through The PGA. “I look forward to showing PGA Members the ways they can use our products to help improve every aspect of their golf game and overall wellness.”

Women In Golf & Business launches new website ‘Women in Golf & Business’, a platform designed to help introduce golf and all its benefits, to businesswomen and executives, has unveiled a new website.

Founded in 2021 by PGA Fellow Professional, Nicky Lawrenson, WIGB aims to provide businesswomen with the opportunity to embrace all the benefits and tools that golf offers.

This includes networking events, corporate business days,

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coaching programmes, personal tuition, online forums, webinars, newsletters, social media and golf membership incentives.

Lawrenson said: “I am hugely passionate about supporting and encouraging women to embrace the benefits and opportunities the game brings both from a professional and wellbeing perspective whilst also expanding inclusivity within the game.”

Visit www.wigb.co.uk to find out more.

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NEWS

OCEANTEE wins global award OCEANTEE has become the first ever sports brand to be recognised by The Global Good Awards.

In winning the ‘Best Start Up’ category the judges recognised OCEANTEE’s commitment to driving sustainability to the forefront of the golf industry in ‘a sector long overdue for innovation’.

The impact of OCEANTEE’s bamboo tees was likened by one of the judges to the plastic straw campaign, which resulted in a fundamental shift that has eliminated the use of plastic straws.

“Winning a Global Good Award has been a dream of mine since I first took an interest in sustainability and social change,” commented Ed Sandison, Founder of OCEANTEE. “We are committed to encouraging the golf industry to make a cultural shift away from using plastic and polyester and hope that this award will help raise awareness of what is possible.”

The PGA partners with Dettol to improve hygiene standards in golf

The PGA has partnered with Dettol Pro Solutions to help enhance hygiene standards at golf facilities across Great Britain and Ireland.

As a PGA Partner, Dettol will support PGA Members and their golf facilities with increased disinfection protocols amid hygiene risks surrounding the ongoing pandemic.

As part of this new strategic alliance, Dettol will help deliver industry-leading hygiene standards to golf facilities, which continues to be a priority for golf clubs in the current climate and for the foreseeable future.

In addition, they will provide on-going scientific advice and protocols for PGA Members on the most effective ways to help protect golfers from the spread of germs through targeted hygiene measures.

Golf was one of the first sports to re-open following multiple national lockdowns and the game has seen a huge surge in popularity in the past year.

More than 5.7 million people played on a full-length golf course in 2020, up 2.3 million on-course adults compared with the previous year.

David Adams, Head of Commercial Partnerships at The PGA, said: “To bring on board a partner like Dettol, a market leader, helps The PGA give additional value to our membership through exclusive rates on hygiene products, professional PGA and Dettol-branded sanitiser dispenser units and up-to-date protocols.”

Jonathan Weiss, RB Global Business Solutions Commercial Director (Europe, Australia & New Zealand), commented: “At Dettol, we strive to make access to the highest quality hygiene a right not a privilege and so teaming up with an organisation like The PGA, which welcomes people of all abilities, genders, and ages to golf, is in direct synergy with our mission.”

As part of the agreement, PGA Members at golf facilities across the UK & Ireland will have access to: • Co-branded Dettol and PGA dispensers containing dermatologically tested hand sanitiser that kills 99.9 per cent of bacteria and viruses including SARS Cov-2 that causes COVID-19.

• Targeted hygiene kits containing industryleading products and scientific guidance, focused around high-touch, high-traffic surfaces to help use disinfectants most effectively in facilities and protect from the spread of germs.

• Signage for golf courses and practice facilities to educate visitors on better hygiene practices.

Pros go the extra miles to raise cash for Prostate Cancer UK Two Somerset-based PGA Professionals have played their parts in raising more than £4,400 for Prostate Cancer UK by playing four rounds of golf non-stop with seven Mendip Spring Golf Club members.

Rob Moss, PGA South West’s regional manager and captain-elect at Mendip Spring, and Will Hobbs, the club’s head pro (above, left), raised more than £2,000 between them.

They and their seven team-mates each covered 24-plus miles and took more than 49,000 steps in the marathon that lasted just shy of 11 hours.

Moss said: “A big thank you is due to my team members Will Hobbs, Julieanne Bratchie-Hill, Gareth Hill, Brennan

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Bratchie, Chris Pegler, Matthew Balcombe, David and Samantha Sims for their company and mutual support during the day.

“Thanks are also due to all those who sponsored us, David Rawles for assisting our free flowing play through a busy course, and Mendip Spring for allowing us to disrupt the course and everyone that let us play through.”

The golfathon was staged as part of PGA charity Prostate Cancer UK’s, The Big Golf Race, an initiative that aims to raise funds for life-saving treatments and research into a disease that kills one man in the UK in the time it takes to play three holes of golf.

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NEWS ON THE MOVE

Hugh Marr earns PGA Master Coach rank

The latest PGA Member appointments.

After almost 20 years as Director of Instruction/ Coaching at Germany’s Golf in Hude, Mark Roughsedge has joined the coaching team at Bremer Schweiz Golf Club.

Other moves by PGA Members overseas sees Harry Zervos join Corfu Golf Club as a teaching professional, GOLFTEC has hired Simon Clough and Harry Green is now the Golf Operations Supervisor at Trump International – Dubai.

In the West, PGA Advanced Professional, James Tuck, is the Head Professional at Forest Hills Golf Club, Alexander Todd has joined The Mendip Golf Club after more than seven years at Farrington Park, and St.Austell Golf Club has welcomed Benjamin Pill to its coaching team.

After 12 years at Royal Automobile Club, Darren Wood has been hired as Burhill Golf Club’s Head of Golf Operations. Also in the South, Charles Tetlow is now Golf Operations Manager at De Vere Wokefield Estate, while Rory O’Keeffe is the General Manager at Shirley Park Golf Club. Mark Belsham is part of the coaching team at the Prestige Golf Academy, Lewis Atkinson is a Teaching Professional at Pine Rudge Golf Club, and Greg Roostan has moved to Frilford Heath Golf Club.

In Scotland, Myrus Golf Centre has hired Andrew Myles as its new Director of Golf, Kamran Zeynalov is the new Assistant Professional at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club and Iain Nicholson has made the move to The Golf Bunker Studio.

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Hugh Marr has worked with some of the best golfers on the planet. Now, the 48-year-old has joined an exclusive club as a PGA Master Coach.

Marr, who has coached the likes of Thorbjorn Olesen, Lucas Bjerregaard and Andrew Johnston, adds his name to an elite list that includes the likes of David Leadbetter, Steven Orr and Gary Smith.

“I started playing golf when I was 13 and fell in love with the game straight away,” said Marr. “Looking back on it, I think I was pretty much destined to coach from the first moment I touched a club because I was always in to learning more about it. I had all the books, magazines, I used to watch all the videos, so I’ve always been a student of the game.

“I’m obviously honoured to earn this rank and be mentioned in the same vein as some great coaches. I’ve got two choices now, I can

either have it as a nice signature on my email, or I can use it do something really constructive for the game. If it’s something that I can use to influence the next generation of coaches to help be proactive and develop the game, then great!”

Marr has coached at a number of high-profile events, including the 2018 Ryder Cup, but the 48-year-old credits his time with Surrey Golf as the biggest highlight of his illustrious career.

Marr continued: “We built a programme that produced dozens of Internationals, Walker Cup players and as a team we were able to win the National Championships for five years.

“So, that from a pure coaching perspective, gave me more satisfaction as that also sowed the seed in that it made think ‘maybe I am good enough to coach at a higher level’” With the success, Marr has gone on to set up the ‘Coaching Mastery Programme,’ something that he has put all of his 20+ years’ experience in to.

He added: “This is something over the next few years that I am going to grow so that my legacy to the game of golf is that I’ve helped develop coaches and helped them understand how important they are to the game of golf – the growth and the betterment of the game, but also so we are in a position that we have really, really good coaches that can make such a difference to our game.”

Other APAL recommendations confirmed by The PGA’s Board of Directors: Jeffrey John (Leitershofen Golf Club) - MASTER PROFESSIONAL Adam McKinlay (Oubaai Hotel Spa and Golf) and Calum Callan (Cottesmore Golf Club) – SPECIALIST COACH Jonnie Cliff (Murrayfield Golf Club) – ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL

Time to celebrate for the Essex PGA November 5 is traditionally a red-letter date in the British calendar – but it will hold even more significance this year for the Essex PGA. Guy Fawkes’ night, 2021, is when the organisation will celebrate its 100-year anniversary with a special dinner at The Warren Golf Club near Maldon.

The association began life in 1920 as the Essex Professional Golfers Union – a title that remained until it switched to the Essex PGA in the 1970s.

It was inaugurated by Freddie Durham, who became its first secretary. And in a neat nod to the association’s heritage, the special guest of honour at the centenary dinner will

be Mark Durham – grandson of Freddie.

Gordon Goldie, president of the Essex PGA, said: “We are really looking forward to marking our 100-year anniversary with a great event at The Warren on Friday, November 5. All Essex PGA members are cordially invited – as are their partners and friends. We’re aiming to celebrate in style what is a landmark anniversary.

Tickets for the jacket and tie dinner are £30. A drinks reception at 7pm will precede dinner at 7.30pm.

For tickets contact Colin Reynolds – pgainessex@yahoo.co.uk – or Gordon Goldie, gordon@chingfordgolfrange.com.

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NEWS Coach at the 2022 Open Championship The PGA is recruiting a team of dedicated PGA Professionals to provide free coaching lessons as part of the R&A Swingzone team at the 2022 Open Championship.

The selected pros will be required to deliver golf sessions to a wide variety of participants throughout the week at The Old Course from 10th-17th July, 2022.

Sessions aim to inspire each golfer and motivate them to increase their participation, retention and progression in golf as well as showcase the value and expertise of the PGA Professional.

The role involves working with children and young people and selected PGA Professionals will be required to be SafeGolf accredited (www.safegolf.org) and have a current criminal records check. You are also required to hold a Safeguarding and Protecting Children (SPC) certificate (Scotland: SPC or Child Wellbeing & Protection in Sport).

These must be valid at the time of the Championship.

The closing date for applications is 10th October, 2021. Applications and enquiries should be emailed to swing.zone@pga.org.uk.

Asbri Golf extend PGA sponsorship Leading logo accessory brand, Asbri Golf, has extended its Partnership agreement with The PGA for another three years.

The new agreement will last up until 2024, continuing the Caerphilly-based company’s strong relationship with The PGA past a decade.

As part of the agreement, Asbri Golf will remain the title sponsor of the Welsh National PGA Championship and continue as co-sponsors of both the SkyCaddie PGA Pro-Captain Challenge and the PGA South-West Cornish Festival.

Established in 2003, Asbri Golf has built a reputation across the UK and Europe as a

leading logo accessory brand, specialising in custom and crested accessories.

Their extensive stock holding and in-house print and embroidery facility ensures quick lead-times and exceptionally low minimum orders, setting them apart from the competition in the logo sector.

PGA Members can earn significant additional revenue by using Asbri for corporate, member or society gifts as well as retail.

Paul Williams, Asbri Sales & Marketing Director, commented: “This agreement is another opportunity for us to give something back to the PGA Professional and to say thanks for their business. It allows us to reinvest back into The PGA and show our appreciation for their loyalty and support.

“The PGA Professional is at the very heart of our brand and without their business and support our products would not be stocked in pro shops. They have continued to support our business in the bounce-back of COVID-19 and if there are any PGA Professionals not working with us, we would love you to get in touch with us.”

Chiericato doubles up in action replay It was action replay time at Wrotham Heath as Keely Chiericato won the final event in the OCEANTEE WPGA Series to top the Order of Merit for the second season in succession.

There was a slight difference with the result of last year’s tournament, however.

Back then, Chiericato, who posted a level par round of 71 on her latest visit to the Kent venue, finished tied first with the Berkshire Golf Club’s Catherine Panton-Lewis.

This time, by contrast, the evergreen former Ladies European Tour player had to

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share second place with Mendip Spring Golf Club’s Katie Rule.

They finished two shots shy of the winner and one clear of the host club’s Hayleigh Tottman and Ainee O’Connor, a PGA Trainee at Sundridge Park.

Chiericato said: “To me, female golf doesn’t get the credit it deserves. “So the support from a company like OCEANTEE that is making great changes in the world as well as golf means a great deal to us. Hopefully they will continue to support us next year.”

#makinggolfhappen

ON THE MOVE One move in the East sees Adam Lewarne join AFGolfStore as part of its coaching team.

In the Midlands, a ten-year spell at Astbury Golf Club has come to an end for Lauren Obelisk as she moves on to become the new Assistant Professional at Newcastle Under Lyme Golf Club.

George Chubb has left Kenwick Park Golf Club to become the Head Teaching Professional at Louth Golf Club. Hollywood Golf Club has hired Jamie Hiller as its new Head Professional, while Chris Russell and Tom Walden have both started new General Manager roles at Sandwell Park (Russell) and Droitwich Golf Club.

Elsewhere, Daniel Bourne is now part of the academy team at JCB Golf & Country Club, Joanne Lee is a PGA Coach at Lickey Hills Golf Course and Frederick Jewsbury is a Director at Lesson Pro. In Ireland, Michael Stanford has started a new role as Director of Golf at Kellys Golf Centre. David Leathem is now the owner of Golf Lessons Belfast and David Lewis is a Club Professional at Greystones Golf Club.

Matthew Naylor is now a Teaching Professional at Morpeth Golf Club. Elsewhere in the North, Crompton & Ryan Golf Club has hired Ryan Grumbridge as its head Professional, Steven Carpenter has joined Oakleaf Golf Club and Chris Bibby is the new Head Professional at Bury Golf Club.

If you would like to feature in this column send your details to membership@pga. org.uk.

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MARKETING

FIND A GOLF LESSON WITH

Pros give Find a Golf Lesson the thumbs up T

he PGA’s new ‘Find a Golf Lesson’ platform has been well received

by Members, with more than 600 completing their online profile.

‘Find a Golf Lesson’ launched last month and helps connect PGA Members to golfers wanting to book a lesson with a PGA Professional.

The free platform replaces the old ‘Find a Pro’ feature that existed on the old website.

It is embedded into the home page of www. pga.info as well as other external sites, enabling golfers, as well as non-golfers who are looking to take up the game, to search for and contact PGA Professionals.

“By connecting golfers with their local PGA Professionals, we hope that Find a Golf Lesson will help to further grow the game, get more people taking up golf and help existing players to improve and enjoy playing even more,” said Robert Maxfield, Chief Executive of The PGA. “PGA Professionals have always been the first port of call for anybody looking to take up golf, as well as for players looking to get better – now there’s an easy way to find a coach whether you’re a member of a golf club or not.”

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MARKETING

More than 600 PGA Members have created Find a Golf Lesson Member profiles.

MATTHEW PUGH (John Reay Golf Centre) “The new ‘Find a Golf Lesson’ tool is a great addition to the PGA platform.

I signed up as it is another way to showcase what I offer and for golfers to find me and book lessons. The process is very straightforward and after a few clicks your profile is set up and you are ready to be found by your next client.”

ANNA SMITH (Bristol Golf Centre) “Setting up my ‘Find a Golf Lesson’ profile was very simple and has allowed me to reach an audience that I wouldn’t have reached without it. Within a few days of launching, I received my first lesson enquiry, which turned into a new lesson booking. A great initiative from The PGA.”

NICKY LUMB (Bristol Golf Centre)

ANDERS MANKERT (Leicester Golf Centre) “Signing up for ‘Find a Golf Lesson’ was a stunningly simple process which took about 15 minutes from start to finish. It is a free marketing tool which is visible and working for me and my business 24/7. It really was a no brainer and I’d recommend it to anyone who wants their services to be more visible to potential customers.

“It’s great The PGA have started ‘Find a Golf Lesson’ as it will give every PGA Professional that signs up to it the opportunity of free online exposure.

Creating a profile was easy. It simply involved clicking a link on the Member’s home page, following the step-by-step instructions, entering my details and then uploading a few pictures. It took less than 10 minutes to do.

I think it’s a brilliant marketing tool and one of the best initiatives the PGA has introduced.”

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO? 1. Visit the ‘Find a Golf Lesson’ page in Members’ area.

2. Follow the on-screen instructions to update your details, including details of your qualifications and specialisms.

3. Upload an image/video to boost your profile.

4. Submit your details.

WATCH - Find a Golf Lesson All you need to know... https://bit.ly/3CWZ6v6

More than 8,500 people have visited the Find a Golf Lesson web page.

If you want to be featured alongside more than 600 fellow PGA Professionals, visit pga.info/members/find-a-golf-lesson and start filling out your ‘Find a Golf Lesson’ profile.

The PGA Professional

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E D U C AT I O N

SUBMIT YOUR CPD TIME IS RUNNING OUT A NEW CPD ERA In December 2020, The PGA’s CPD system went through its most significant transformation. PGA Learn, a new digital learning platform, was launched as part of the Association’s 2020 Vision initiative, allowing Members to access a wide variety of learning resources 24/7 and giving them the flexibility to submit CPD activity in their own time.

The updated system is designed to provide you with more control over your CPD, while giving you greater ownership of your development. It encourages Members to carry out a greater and wider variety of learning and development, which is quick and easy to complete.

‘AA’ AND CPD POINTS ARE NO MORE PGA Learn uses ‘Accredited’ to differentiate between Members who have gained the higher level CPD status from those Members who have not. Only those of you who have met The PGA’s CPD standards are able to identify themselves as Accredited for the CPD year. The CPD system now uses hours and standards, rather than CPD points.

CONTROL YOUR CPD RECORD The My CPD tool within PGA Learn allows you to take complete control and ownership of your CPD record.

You decide what is valid and relevant CPD and how much time you would like to allocate to it.

The PGA takes a broad view of what constitutes professional development and does not prescribe a particular set of activities. Any activity from which you learn or develop professionally could be considered valid CPD, though you should ensure that all activities are relevant to you

and your role. This means, work-based learning, such as learning on the job and informal learning, such as watching a webinar or listening to a podcast, can all be logged on your CPD record.

SUBMITTING ANNUALLY Submitting your CPD Journal annually via PGA Learn will ensure your CPD records are complete, up-to-date, and reflect the personal development you have done over the last year.

With the CPD journal submission deadline fast approaching, Mark Skinner, Head of Business and Management Department at The PGA, explains the importance of submitting your 2020-21 CPD journal by the 31st October, 2021 deadline.

GAIN OR REGAIN ACCREDITED STATUS QUICKER THAN BEFORE You do not have to wait for an annual regrade to gain Accredited status. If you are eligible, once you submit your CPD journal for the current year, you will gain your CPD status within 24 hours and the PGA Learn Team will send you your certificate for the year.

If you currently hold Accredited Status but do not submit a 2020/21 journal by the deadline, you will lose it on 1st November 2021. However, you will be able to regain your status immediately by meeting the minimum learning hours for the 2021/22 CPD year and submitting your CPD journal.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE The submission deadline for 2020-21 CPD journals is 31st October, 2021.

This is relevant to all, whether you are eligible for Accredited Status or not.

The My CPD tool within PGA Learn enables you to capture and store all the CPD you do and print it off in a professional, PGA branded document.

Once the deadline has passed, all CPD journals will automatically lock for this period and further entries will not be possible.

NEED SOME HELP? The PGA Learn team are offering 20-minute online one-to-one appointments throughout October to help Members record and submit their CPD journals. Go to the Events tile on PGA Learn to book your appointment.

PGA Learn also offers a collection of how-to guides and courses focused on the new CPD system and My CPD. You can also call 01675 624783 or email pgalearn@pga.org.uk for further support.

FIND OUT MORE To complete and submit your 2020/21 CPD journal or learn more about The PGA CPD system, click on following links: My CPD Explained LINK - https://bit.ly/3il594y

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PGA CPD System 2020/21 LINK - https://bit.ly/3F499Aq

October 2021

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M E N TA L H E A LT H

Putting

Mental Health One of the ‘legacies’ of Covid-19 has been the increasing amount of people suffering from mental health issues and who are no longer willing to suffer in silence. Starting the conversation about your mental health is the first step, as Tim Ladd of Red Umbrella discusses.

First

W

e all know many PGA Professionals struggle with mental health problems. We know this because they’re human beings - rarely on the planet is there a profession whereby the person has to wear as many hats as the PGA Professional.

Mental health conditions are increasing worldwide, impacting the way people think, act, and behave. Whilst golf is a sport that can help improve one’s mental wellbeing, PGA Professionals can still experience mental health problems that have a significant impact on all areas of life, such as work performance and relationships with family and friends.

So it makes sense that mental health, just like physical health, needs to be taken seriously.

THE GRASS CAN BE GREENER I recently sat down to speak with Ryan Donagher, Golf Operations Manager of Portmarnock Golf Club.

Originally from Zimbabwe, he now resides in Ireland.

Ryan has held an array of roles within the golf industry from working on cruise ships to heading up financial deals and restructures for golf clubs and their members.

Ryan speaks openly about his own battles with mental wellbeing, and prior to his current role, took a short break from the world of golf to focus on getting to grips with what he actually wants to achieve from a future in a sport he loves.

He’s now working with a team of people who put the culture of their staff wellbeing as a main priority. “Working in the golf industry can be a lonely place” said Ryan.

Although PGA Professionals are always around other people, they carry an expectation from others where they’re needed around the club for long hours to support everyone else. Noting that sometimes you need to be able to just stop and support yourself.

Ryan continued to discuss why PGA Members need to learn that they’re allowed to stop and talk, but can often find themselves so busy with the day-to-day runnings of being a member they don’t have time to pause. Comparing

The PGA Professional | #makinggolfhappen

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M E N TA L H E A LT H

Ryan and his team have introduced mental wellbeing support to their business, initially to get the conversation of mental health started in the team - and make sure they’re aware that “it’s okay to not be okay.” the busy life of a PGA Member to that of an actor in the theatre, playing the constant role that is to make sure everyone else is entertained and having a good time.

Ryan and his team have introduced mental wellbeing support to their business, initially to get the conversation of mental health started in the team - and make sure they’re aware that “it’s okay to not be okay.”

They have already started to train colleagues to become Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs), showing to their staff that if they need help, the club is there to support them. The MHFAs are also there to spot warning signs of their fellow colleagues and are trained on how to approach people if they think there is an issue.

Ryan thanked The PGA for their support for such a serious issue within the culture of golf and urges his fellow members to take the time to pick up the phone and reach out to The PGA for help, if it’s needed quoting “health is wealth.”

Moving forward Ryan would like golfers to remove the stigma around mental wellbeing in the golf community, by raising awareness of these issues through conversations on and off the course in which they can let their peers know about the support available.

Alan Fletcher, Managing Director at AFGolfStore has carried out research on golf coaches across the UK as part of his Master’s degree and found a few common similarities; loneliness, not feeling part of a team, isolation, and a lack of support.

This made Alan question where he sees his future lie within golf and if becoming a coach was really the best route for him to take. Suggesting that success can often be judged by the number of hours worked, due to many coaches being paid per hour on a self-employed basis, which generated a ‘fighting’ culture amongst peers who are rightly so, trying to protect their livelihood from the ‘competition’ around them.

Instead, Alan has built a team that values work-life balance with a framework steered around professional development and the fair treatment of colleagues.

He’s done this by building a company with the mission of making their customers better at golf, and a business objective of turning a profit, but not to the detriment of the people who work there.

He’s employed staff who all now work to the same goal as a team and are protected by employment rights, offering flexibility for a work-life balance.

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

DON’T PUT YOUR HEAD IN THE BUNKER Fiona Champness, PGA Business Relations Officer spends much of her time listening to club professionals trials and tribulations.

She says these are unprecedented times across the board, the pandemic has led to a feeling of “we all better make hay while the sun shines.”

We’re all aware of the issue that is selfemployment amongst PGA Professionals.

With unpaid annual leave and not being able to take time off sick due to the fear of not ‘getting paid’ - professionals are at bigger risk of sacrificing a work-life balance.

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M E N TA L H E A LT H Not long ago, there was not enough work to go around - now there is too much and members feel the urge to capitalise on this.

We discussed that as human beings we are meant to work, rest, work a little more, rest a little more, and so on. Not hibernate for a year and then work nonstop for a year to make up for it. The pandemic has, however, given everyone this feeling.

How we get PGA professionals to take care of themselves in the midst of all this, is a problem. Fiona goes on to say that the culture does need change but change comes slow and in the meantime, there need to be reactive measures in place such as The PGA purchasing a pot of Care Coins that can be utilised by its members.

I get a real sense talking to Fiona that until we can improve the culture and the overall working conditions for professionals, we have to reduce stigmas and get more of the members to reach out for support when they need it.

Fiona and her colleagues have all been trained by Red Umbrella to be Mental Health First Aiders so that they’re able to spot the signs and know how to approach members regarding mental health and then signpost efficiently.

One of the biggest problems Fiona points out is that in most cases professionals are not employees, so they don’t enjoy benefits like others in the corporate world.

This is why they are doing everything to support The PGA professionals via Care Coins.

GETTING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH ON PAR PGA Professionals can now contact their Business Relations Officer (BRO) or get in touch with The PGA directly to request Care Coins for mental health support.

Care Coins are a currency that can be exchanged for mental health services, that are provided by Red Umbrella. One Care Coin is equivalent to one session with a fully qualified counsellor, therapist, or life coach. It’s fully confidential and is delivered by trained therapists who specialise in issues such as bereavement, addiction, eating disorders, etc.

Whatever the issue - they’ll be matched to the right therapist.

A LITTLE BIRDIE TOLD ME PGA Professionals have already started using the Care Coins system to speak with Red Umbrella and are seeing some great results. But don’t take my word for it…

“For me, like a lot of other PGA Pros, it has been incredibly difficult to work during COVID. There have been times on numerous occasions where I have felt lonely and isolated. I have wanted to give up the profession too, but Red Umbrella has been amazing.

In just two sessions, I have gained tools to help me manage my business better as well as myself. I still feel down sometimes and I really believe more pros should seek the help of this fantastic initiative. It will help you react differently to certain people and situations which

The PGA Professional | #makinggolfhappen

will benefit you in the future. Thank you to the team and The PGA for introducing this amazing saviour!”

- Michael Kanev, PGA Professional “I wish to thank Red Umbrella for being there when I needed someone. I thought that everything that was going on was my fault. They listened to me and helped me process my feelings and has put it all in perspective.

I honestly believe without their help I would be on my knees rethinking my career choice.

The great thing about Red Umbrella was that I was able to talk to them from the security of my own home, enabling me to feel comfortable and secure. They contacted me the very same day The PGA said they would get me counselling. It seems inadequate to say after all the help they gave me but thank you.”

- Tracey Boyes, PGA Professional

Tim Ladd Managing Director at Care Coins & Red Umbrella ABOUT THE AUTHOR Having worked in the golf industry all his life, Tim Ladd knows only too well the toll it takes on mental health and feels passionate about supporting golf and Club professionals as much as possible with the Care Coins system.

Tim is currently working on the launch of www.under-par.org powered by Red Umbrella. A website that will provide a specific platform for the golf industry with the intention to provide a selfsustainable way for clubs to provide support for their staff.

Tim is a keen Golfer (current Handicap 3) and loves everything Aviation. He used to hold a commercial pilots licence and fly seaplanes in the Bahamas. Tim worked for the following golf companies Ping, Taylor Made/Adidas and Henry Griffitts for over 20 years in Germany and the USA. Tim, unfortunately, encountered mental health problems and this lead to many years of turmoil. After a long journey to recovery, he decided to set up Red Umbrella to help others get the correct help they need and for companies to support their employees effectively.

He has a passion for finding unique solutions to employee wellbeing and combating underused and overpaid systems that many companies use to tick a box.

For more information see

www.carecoins.co.uk and www.red-umbrella.co.uk 17

Insight Wellbeing at Work is provided

by Insight Healthcare on behalf of ARAG Information about the service: We can all be faced with challenges in our personal or work lives that can make us feel low, or as through we are unable to cope.

Insight provide a service on behalf of ARAG, offering free confidential support for a range of personal and work-related issues.

24hr Counselling Helpline The helpline offers access to free, confidential support and advice 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The service is extended to immediate family members living in the same household.

What to Expect when you Call

Call us today on:

0333 000 2082

You will speak with a qualified and experienced counsellor who will be able to provide you with practical advice and support on how best to cope with your difficulties.

Please ensure that you have at least 20 minutes free to talk to the counsellor and are in a quiet, private space where you won’t be interrupted.

If you learn to spot symptoms early and identify situations that may be emotionally challenging, you can prevent problems from escalating.

What to Expect when you Call Insight Healthcare complies with the data protection Act and GDPR guidelines.

This means that information relating to you and the support provided to you will remain confidential to us unless we have your consent to share it, or where there is a risk to you or someone else.

I N T E R NAT I O NA L

SULTANATE

OF SWING S

ix times the size of the UK, but with a population of just over four million, Oman is something of an enigma, which is no surprise given that the gulf state, which is located on the tip of the Arabian Peninsula, sandwiched between the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, didn’t even allow tourists to enter its borders until 30 years ago.

Immigration laws are far more relaxed these days, but visitors still need to apply for a month-long visa, at a cost of £40, if they want to come here on holiday. Over 4.2 million people did just that in 2019, mostly coming to experience its historic World Heritage Sites, stunning desert landscapes and incredible wildlife, as well as relaxing in a growing number of luxury hotels and resorts dotted along the coastline or in the splendid isolation of the Jebel Akhdar mountains.

Golf is still very much in its infancy in Oman.

Only a decade ago all golfers had to follow their passion on a handful of ‘brown’ courses, where players were required to carry a patch of astroturf and putt out on sand-based greens. But all that changed in 2009 following the opening of the Bill Longmuir-designed course at Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club, the Sultanate’s first 18-hole grass course, while two years later saw the unveiling of Al Mouj Golf, a links-style course designed by Greg Norman, which formed part of a luxury beachfront development called The Wave.

Located along a 2km stretch of coastline, the 18-hole championship course at Al Mouj is a unique combination of desert-style design with a hint of links thrown in courtesy of the rumpled fairways and the ever-present wind.

The 7,342-yard course helped spread the word of Oman’s arrival on the golfing stage when it hosted the Challenge Tour’s NBO Golf Classic

The Middle Eastern gulf state of Oman is proving a great place to work for a small, but growing number of PGA Members who have taken the opportunity to develop their skills at the handful of clubs that have been built there over the last decade

from 2013-14, after which it staged three successive renewals the tour’s Grand Final, before its eventual elevation to the European Tour as host venue for the Oman Open in 2018, which has now become a permanent fixture on the schedule.

But golf development is no danger of getting out of control here. Oman’s oldest club, Galah Golf Club, which first opened in 1971 as a brown course, but has since been fully grassed, is one of only five clubs within driving distance of the capital, Muscat. In addition to Muscat Hills and Al Mouj, there is a further nine holes on offer at the Peter Harradine-designed Jebel Sifah, a coastal course an hour east of Muscat which opened in 2017, while Ras Al Hamrah Golf Club, just a few miles to the east of downtown Muscat, also offers nine holes – played as 18 with different tees – under floodlights, which makes it ideal for later evening summer rounds when daytime temperatures are often between 35c-40c.

With only 850 registered golfers in Oman, most club memberships are populated by the small expatriate business community which services the country’s burgeoning oil industry, while green fees come mainly from tourists visiting from within the gulf – Dubai is a twohour drive away – and those travelling from further afield looking to combine a few rounds with a more authentic Arabic experience.

Coaching programmes are in place to introduce golf to Omanis, with lessons offered to local schoolchildren, while the Oman Golf Association, which is headed up by PGA Member Jamie Wood, has helped to establish Omani amateur teams at all age levels, which take part in regional and international competitions.

JAMIE WOOD Director, Oman Golf Association What has been your career path to date?

My introduction to the golf industry came working at a 9-hole course on the outskirts of Bath while I was still at school. After spending four years at university studying engineering I came back into golf and managed to get an Assistant Professional position at The Belfry.

In 2005 I completed my training qualifying as the PGA Assistant of the Year and after some welcome guidance from my boss, Simon Wordsworth, I applied for a Teaching Professional role in Dubai at Nad Al Sheba Golf Club. After two enjoyable seasons I moved over to Emirates Golf Club as Senior Professional where I was responsible for managing the Academy.

In 2011, Dubai Golf, which operated both Nad Al Sheba and Emirates, was awarded the management contract of Al Mouj Golf in Sultanate of Oman. I moved to Oman later that year to take on the role of Director of Golf. Being involved in the pre-opening phase of a project such as this was a fantastic opportunity and pulled together much of what I had previously experienced.

In 2017 I was thrown a career curveball when the role of Director of Golf was made redundant. With my family well settled, and only a handful of other golf courses in

Ras Al Hamra’s 9-hole course is fully floodlit to enable golfers to play during Oman’s hot summer months

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I N T E R NAT I O NA L

Muscat Hills, Oman’s first 18-hole grass course,.opened in 2009

Oman. the options were limited but I was very fortunate to be asked by the Oman Golf Committee, the governing body of golf in the Sultanate, to assist them in reviewing their strategy and governance model. Ultimately that provided me with the opportunity to move into the role that I am now in as Director of the Oman Golf Association (OGA).

Tournaments have featured heavily at the courses where I have worked and that has carried through to my role with the Oman Golf Association, as in 2019 we took over as promoter of the Oman Open, a European Tour event which had started in 2013 as the NBO Golf Classic on the Challenge Tour.

Describe a typical working day?

My days are really varied, as being the governing body we report to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and are tasked with managing and growing the game domestically and using golf to help create greater exposure for the Sultanate. So my time is split between overseeing the day-today administration and longer term planning.

In 2020, we were upgraded from a Committee to an Association and that involved review of the strategy, parts of which are still being developed now.

This allowed us to include things such as sustainability and equality. We’ve formed good relationships with the GEO Foundation and the R&A, specifically through the Women in Golf Charter, so part of my role involves incorporating their expertise and guidance into our strategy, which in turn gets used in an effort to raise awareness and gain the support of the Ministries ,as well as partners and sponsors.

Much of my time is spent planning for the Oman Open, as promoter we are responsible for the logistics, staging, marketing and financing of the event, and we work closely with the European Tour’s Middle East office to make sure that everything gets done. One of

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our key objectives is to ensure that the impact of the event goes beyond just tournament week, both in terms of golf development, but also to Oman in general. This means working with the key stakeholders including the Ministry of Tourism throughout the year to help them make the most of the exposure that the tournament gives.

We run several amateur events throughout the season and also look after the development of the Oman National Amateur Teams. We currently have Under 13, 15, 18, men’s and ladies’ squads who compete in regional events. Later this year we will be bringing another PGA Professional on board who will be responsible for golf development, as well as managing and coaching the national teams.

What are the best parts of your job?

For me the best part, both at Al Mouj previously, and now with the OGA, is the opportunity to do something that hasn’t really been done here before. Although golf has been around in Oman since 1970, it is only over the last 10 years or so that an industry has developed so there aren’t too many preconceived ways of doing things, and that allows some freedom. To be honest, that could well be one of the most challenging things as well, and the fact that it pushes 50 degrees in the summer!

Another big positive is the drive to employ and include as many Omanis as possible in what industries such as ours do, as an expat there will more than likely be a time where you choose to leave and it’s nice to know that some of what you have done will carry on beyond that.

What programmes are in place to encourage Omanis to get into golf?

Most of the golf clubs here have junior programmes running delivered by their teaching pros, we try to support this by

putting on a series of tournaments called GOjuniors where those who have had lessons get to take what they’ve learned in their lessons to the golf course. There are 50% tees at each of the courses which we have had rated so those who are new to the game can still work towards obtaining a handicap.

We also take golf lessons into some of the local schools to introduce the game to children who may not otherwise get the opportunity. One of our biggest aims in the coming year is to start to use our existing Junior national team players as ambassadors to help to try to breakdown some of the misconceptions with golf, this should not only see a bigger uptake amongst Omani youngsters, but it also raises the profile of our national team players and could potentially be their first step towards a career in golf.

How would you rate the current strength of the golf industry in Oman?

Although there are only around 800 registered handicap-holding golfers across five courses, the potential, both domestically and for golf tourism, is strong. Tourism has been identified as a key element of Oman Vision 2040 and golf is very much a part of that, this can only be a good thing for the growth of the industry and consequently the opportunity for citizens and residents to experience and hopefully take up the game.

How easy has it been to settle into the local community?

Really very easy. We are very fortunate that almost all communication is in English, so there are no real barriers there. Through working in the golf industry there is great interaction between expats and Omani nationals. Oman is quite different in that respect to the UAE, as the majority of the population here are Omani. In the 10 years we’ve been here we have been made to feel very welcome and it has been a great place to raise a young family.

What advice would you pass on to other PGA Members who may be interested in working abroad?

Do it! If it is something that you are interested in your qualification and skill set makes you an ideal candidate to work overseas. If you are lucky enough, as I was, to know people who have made the move before you then make sure you ask their advice, not just about the work but also about the way of life. Try to build your network and develop your ongoing learning, not only to give you a greater chance of getting a role overseas, but also to keep you connected to things back home if you do end up making a move abroad.

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I N T E R NAT I O NA L

Al Mouj Golf has hosted the European Tour’s Oman Open since 2018. (inset) Last year’s winner, Sami Välimäki, is pictured with members of Oman’s national teams

very new in Oman, and I knew very little of the country. I knew Jamie Wood who had recently moved to Al Mouj as Head Golf Professional, and we discussed the role and I wanted to get involved at the grass roots level.

MARCUS CASEY Head PGA Professional, Al Mouj Golf, Muscat What has been your career path to date?

I started my PGA training in 1999 at The Island Golf Club in Dublin. I then moved to Portmarnock Golf Club to complete my PGA training in 2003. From there, I was appointed as the Head Professional at Beaverstown Golf Club before returning to The Island Golf Club as Head Professional.

In 2009, I moved to Australia where I was appointed Head Coach for the South Australian College of Elite Golf and the South Australian State Teams. From there, I moved to Dubai to work with Mark Gregson-Walters at the Emirates Golf Club. In 2011, I was offered the position of Teaching Professional at Al Mouj Golf in Oman. In 2016, I was promoted to my current position of Head Pro. How did you find about your job and what attracted you to Oman?

I was promoted from within the organisation.

I got my previous role as Teaching Professional by being in the right place at the right time. A chance conversation over coffee with Julian Danby from Dubai Golf.

I have always loved a challenge. Golf was

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Describe a typical working day?

When I was a Teaching Professional my day was a mix of teaching groups and individuals and then working with our Omani colleagues in developing their skills and golf knowledge.

Since becoming Head Professional, I have moved to more of managerial role where I run the day-to-day operations of the club.

My day usually starts with a meeting with our Head Superintendent, Steve Johnson.

We discuss upcoming events and any other business related to the operations. The rest of my day is a mix of managing member and visitor golf events and bookings, meetings, visiting hotels to promote Al Mouj Golf. I also oversee colleague training sessions.

What are the best and the more challenging aspects of the job?

The best part is definitely the people. Omanis are incredibly welcoming and a pleasure to work with. The weather from October to April is also fantastic.

The challenging part is being away from family. The travel restrictions during the pandemic meant not being able to see my family in person for nearly 18 months. Also, Oman and the Middle East in general are transient societies. People come on contracts and then get moved on to other countries, which makes selling memberships and building a solid client base difficult.

#makinggolfhappen

How would you rate the potential growth of golf in Oman?

The industry has weathered the Covid-19 storm very well. Memberships and member rounds are significantly up compared to preCovid days. We have four grass golf courses in Muscat, so while golf is still young here, the country is in a strong position.

On our property, Al Mouj Muscat, we have two major hotel brands with another highend hotel opening in 2022. Tourism is a key area of business for Al Mouj, and Oman in general. We have hosted the Oman Open on the European Tour prior to Covid and the publicity it generated has been amazing for strengthening our appeal to golfers worldwide.

Oman is now a viable alternative to the UAE as a golfing destination. You will not find a better climate for golf from October to April.

How easy has it been to settle into the local community?

Very easy. Oman and Omanis are very welcoming. The country has a unique identity and authenticity, which makes it all the more interesting to explore. I really enjoy outdoor activities and Oman offers everything from mountains, to desert to beautiful coastlines. I love living here and the lifestyle it offers.

What advice would you pass on to other PGA Members who may be interested in working abroad?

Working abroad can be daunting, but in return it is challenging and very rewarding. If you go with an open mind, respect the local culture, and take your time to understand the people you will love it as much as I do.

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ADVERTORIAL

Therabody in partnership with The PGA As part of the new agreement, Therabody will share educational content with PGA Members on the benefits of its wellness technology devices and how the products can be integrated into golfers’ warm-up and recovery routines.

Additional support and training will be provided to PGA Members who wish to stock Therabody products in their golf shop.

In addition, PGA Members will also be able to access Therabody University accredited courses on how to effectively integrate products into training and recovery routines.

Reflecting on the partnership, Dr. Jason Wersland, Founder and Chief Wellness Officer of Therabody, said: “Golfers have been incredibly receptive to our products and our mission since Therabody’ s early days, and I’m thrilled we are able to partner with another layer of the golf community through The PGA. Commenting on the new partnership, David Adams, PGA Head of Commercial Partnerships, said: “The PGA is delighted to welcome Therabody to its exclusive partnership programme as a Principal Partner. One of the Association’s key missions is to improve the personal and professional lives of our Members and, as a market leader in health and wellbeing, Therabody aligns with those values and our ambitions.

“We look forward to introducing and educating PGA Members and golfers of all ages and abilities about the benefits of Therabody products and how golf can improve their health.”

ALL ABOUT THERABODY Therabody is the global innovator in tech wellness and the creator of the Theragun®, the world’s first handheld percussive massage therapy device.

Therabody’s mission is to provide effective, natural solutions that help people take charge of their daily wellness.

Therabody’s ecosystem of smart, industryleading devices and solutions empower people to take care of themselves naturally, and are trusted by professional athletes, sports teams, celebrities, elite trainers, and medical practitioners in more than 60 countries.

Therabody’s clinical modalities include percussive massage therapy (Theragun), vibration therapy (Wave series), pneumatic compression technology (Recovery Air), electrical stimulation (PowerDot), and its devices seamlessly integrate with the Therabody App for a more personalized experience. The company also developed Therabody University, its education division that offers in-depth education on effectively integrating Therabody’ s solutions into training and recovery routines and leverages cutting-edge research around whole-body wellness. For more information,

visit www.therabody.com, download the Therabody App or follow the brand on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Or visit the video on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAwJgSRabo8

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PGAPRO HP - DG General 2021.indd 1

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12/07/2021 15:13

FOCUS HOT TRENDS IN SHOES FOR SS22

RETAIL

FOOTWEAR

SRIXON AT 20

Srixon celebrates two decades of golf retail in the UK GRIPPING STUFF

Top tips from Golf Pride to up your gripping game

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QUOTE ME APPY

XPOS’s Caddie App enjoys life beyond lockdowns

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PGA RETAILER IN THE SPOTLIGHT Steve Maxwell, Head Pro at Paisley Golf Club

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TRADE NEWS

Revo sunglasses set for UK roll out Popular US sunglasses brand Revo has announced the expansion of its golf division into the UK and Europe.The division will be overseen by Irish golf industry veteran Grahame Jenkins, who will take the lead in growing the Revo’s customer base throughout the UK and Europe. Revo has also brought on Holiday Golf as its distributor for mainland Europe.

Originally developed by a NASA scientist, Revo boasts a 100% polarized collection of eyewear that manages the full spectrum of light including harmful Blue Light and HEV Light. The range has numerous sunglasses designed specifically for golfers to improve contrast and visual acuity, while also highlighting key parts of the light spectrum for a more precise visual experience on the course.

Cliff Robinson, CEO of Revo Sunglasses, said: “The expansion of Revo Golf to the UK and mainland Europe is fundamental to our long-term growth strategy. As we make Revo available in more locations around the world, we want to work with the best partners and Grahame Jenkins, along with Holiday Golf, bring us a breadth of experience in the UK and EU golf markets.“ Jenkins added: “I’m very excited to be working with Cliff and the team at Revo. The brand history and heritage, together with exceptional product, will ensure Revo will fast become the sunglasses brand of choice for golfers all over Europe and I look forward to building the brand in the months to come.”

Foremost strengthens social media support for EMP Partners Foremost Golf has appointed Christoph Rohner to the role of Elite Marketing Programme Social Media Manager to oversee the group’s social media member support service.

One of the key components of its Elite Marketing Programme, Foremost’s Social Media solution gives members a better way to manage their social content and interact with their audience online. Integration with the new EMP Content System saves members further time with the necessary tools located in one central hub, allowing pros to share their local news stories across their EMP platforms.

Rohner brings a wealth of experience having worked alongside Foremost member professionals as a Marketing Editor for more than three years.

“I feel I am in a strong position going into this new role with an in-depth understanding of the golf retail landscape, as well as our members’ businesses and the specific challenges they face on a day-to-day basis,” commented Rohner. “I’m committed to serving our members with the very best social media tools and advice, taking the solution forward with innovations like the EMP Content System and educating our pros on best practice.”

Golf retail experiences summer bounce back but stock issues remain Golf retail sales have bounced back beyond pre-pandemic levels this summer, according to the latest market figures issued by Golf Datatech.

The industry analysts’ figures for July reported an overall 28% rise in total value compared to July 2019, and up 2.8% in sales. Golf equipment enjoyed a 11.5% uptick in July on like-for-like value sales from 2019, and 31% up in terms of unit sales, signalling an upward trend in prices.

Sales of woods experienced the biggest increase, up by almost 60% in value terms, while irons were up by 57% and wedges by 44% compared to the same period in 2019. Sales of balls were up by 30% in July, as golfers throughout the UK continued to make use of the good weather, extended daylight hours and more flexible working routines.

Sales of trolleys, both push and powered, continue to remain strong, up 21% in year-to-date terms. Apparel still lags behind other categories, with sales down almost 20% on July 2019.

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October 2021

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Ping expands Glide wedge range with new Forged Pro model PING’s new Glide Forged Pro wedges are designed for golfers looking for increased precision and control on their shots around the green.

The tour-inspired, high-spinning design is offered in two grind profiles and multiple loft options for players who demand versatility from their most lofted clubs.

A smaller heel-to-toe head, which is forged from carbon steel, giving players the confidence to manipulate the head to help execute any shot from any lie. In combination with the precisionmilled face and grooves, a new Emery face blast adds more texture to the clubface, creating more spin and lower launch. The 50° and 52° lofts feature wheel-cut grooves with a 20° sidewall to optimise performance on full shots, while the 54° to 62° options are milled with a 28° sidewall and tighter radius for more spin on finesse shots around the green and from the sand. The hydropearl 2.0 chrome finish adds to the higher spin and lower launch, especially from wet rough. Two grind options ensure a wedge choice to match a golfer’s playing conditions and angle of attack. In the S grind, moderate bounce and a rounded lead edge combine to produce an option that fits most golfers. The T Grind has a narrower sole with approximately 3° less bounce than the S to make it more versatile and precise around the green. It’s available in three lofts, including a 62º, which offers low bounce and high loft for the most greenside versatility.

They have an RRP of £199/£209 for stock steel/graphite shafts.

Claim your starter pack TODAY!

Contact: step hen@ tomolivernutr ition.com

SALES REPS ON THE MOVE Chris Halley has joined Callaway Golf as a sales representative for North-West England. Callaway has recently restructured the sales team and have invested more resources into this region.

Chris has worked in the golf industry for five years following several years competing on the EuroPro Tour.

Apparel brand Island Green, which is to become an approved supplier to TGI Golf in 2022, has appointed a new sales manager for the south-east of England.

Kate Fickling (right) who boasts a wealth of retail experience having worked at her father Lee Fickling’s pro shop at Crews Hill GC for many years, will handle accounts in Essex, Herts, Middlesex, Surrey, Hants and Berkshire. Kate can be reached on 07944 302297 or via email at kfickling@pwbuk.com.

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Stocked in Pro Shops throughout the UK. We help players who shout FORE! and players on TOUR

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TRADE NEWS

Ireland claims ‘home win’ at TGI Trophy Ireland captured their third TGI Golf Partnership Trophy with victory at The K Club in September. The event, held in association with Callaway, Callaway Apparel and TravisMathew, brought teams of eight TGI Partners representing Ireland, Scotland and England and Wales together for a two-day Ryder Cup-style match with national pride at stake. Played over the Palmer South Course at the 2006 Ryder Cup host venue, Partners competed in fourballs on the first day before taking on each other in a singles strokeplay on day two.

The Irish team of Jimmy Bolger (Kilkenny), Paddy Devine (Sutton), Shaun Donnelly (Rossmore), Stephen Hamill (Lisburn), David Hughes (Massereene), Leo Hynes (Killiney), Brendan McGovern (Headfort) and Gary McNeill (Royal Portrush) held a slender lead following the first day, going into the singles with just a single point lead over England & Wales, with Scotland bringing up the rear with a solitary point.

But a commanding performance from the Irish team saw them win five of the eight singles matches to win the trophy with a total of 25 points, with Scotland finishing runners-up on 19 and England and Wales finishing joint third on 16 points.

Gary McNeill, PGA Professional at Royal Portrush, was playing in his first Partnership Trophy and was bowled over by the experience. He said: “This was my first time even attempting to qualify for this event and I’m so glad that I did, it was well worth it, I have thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with my fellow PGA Pros, particularly after the last 18 months or so. The banter with the lads from England, Scotland and Wales has been great and it is always awesome to gain some perspective from other pros. as you don’t tend to get much chance to do this when in your shop you’re worrying about your own business.”

Adele McLean, TGI’s Group Services Director, added: “After the last year or so it was amazing to be able to stage this event again. You could feel the buzz of the partners being together again after so long apart, there was a real energy for all three days.”

Lyle & Scott unveils rave-inspired SS22 range Lyle & Scott has released details of its Spring/Summer 2022 golf apparel collection, which draws its somewhat surprising inspiration from the rave music scene of the 1980s and early 90s.

The range takes a disruptive style with a bold use of colours and eutrophic tones, as well as deconstructed tartan and nostalgic reinvented embroideries.

The brand’s SS22 collection includes all the classic essentials, including a Hyper Reversible Gilet that features a contrast print chest panel and Lyle & Scott script logo back, or a fully printed reverse side. Lightweight, windproof and constructed with an eco-friendly water-repellent treatment to provide protection no matter the weather, this gilet also boasts stretch jersey panels and elasticated arm holes and hem, allowing for full range of movement during the swing.

Known for its stylish and timeless polo shirts, the new L&S Jacquard Polo Shirt provides exceptional moisture management through enhanced breathability and a polyester and Tencel blend for a lightweight and soft feel. It is finished with a tonal rib collar for a smart, but casual, tailored look.

The new knitwear range is headlined by a ¼ Zip Pullover, which features a bold stripe pattern and Lyle & Scott script logo on the sleeve.

Made from merino/cotton blend, this pullover provides exceptional thermal regulation through its moisture wicking properties. The collection also sees the introduction of the Knitted Player range, including the Player Knitted Cardigan, whose player logo is an interpretation of an intarsia design from Lyle & Scott’s back catalogue from 1970s, now adapted as a direct embroidery.

Featuring fully fashioned armholes, a contrast rib and branded buttons for a premium look and feel, the entire Knitted Player range is made from a 12-gauge cotton/ merino blend that is soft, casual, and suitable for both on- and off-course wear.

For all trade enquiries, please email chris.somerton@lyleandscott.com.

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TRADE NEWS

Scotty Cameron goes back to black Titleist’s new Scotty Cameron Phantom X 9.5 Triple Black putter is a high-MOI mallet that boasts many of the same features found in the Phantom X 5.5 and Phantom X 11 models, but with a matte black finish and an integrated flange-sole component that makes for easier alignment.

Offered as a limited edition, and priced at £699, the Phantom X 9.5 Triple Black features custom engraving to frame the ball at address, while three red dots on the topline mark the sweet spot.

Each putter features a solid milled stainless steel body integrated with aluminium and includes two customisable stainless steel sole weights. By positioning the lighter aluminium in the middle of the mallet, MOI and overall stability is increased by the perimeter weighting crafted from heavier stainless steel.

It features a black Pistolero Plus grip and comes with a bespoke headcover.

Mizuno’s back on track with ST-G 200 driver When Mizuno launched its fast and forgiving ST-Z and drawbiased ST-X drivers at the start of the year there was a notable absence of a highlyadjustable model aimed at better players. Nine months on, the ST-G 220 is that third model, targeting lower handicappers who like to be able to fine-tune their ball flight in all dimensions.

The ST-G 220 boasts a new multi-thickness face design which has been optimised to create extra ball speed when shots are hit low on the face. The SAT2041 (super, alloy, titanium) face mixes titanium with vanadium, aluminium and tin, and Mizuno say their blend offers 17% more tensile strength and 8% more flexibility over traditional 6-4Ti driver faces to help deliver fast ball speeds and a dense, satisfying sensation at impact.

Shorter lateral weight tracks allow for a new centre/back weight port, while the combination of three tracks and two moveable weights allows the ST-G to transform from an ultra-low spinning bomber to a highly playable mid-spinning option, with fade or draw bias in both.

The evolution to the ST-G 220’s weight locations offer a rare combination of both backspin and fade/draw adjustability options. Traditionally, adjustable drivers have been more effective at just one of those tasks. Mizuno say the ST-G 220 delivers impressive performance from off-centre strikes, with consistent feedback across the varying weight positions.

Boasting a deep face and shorter back-to-front design in a 460cc head, the ST-G 220 comes with 9° of loft as standard, but four degrees of adjustability (7°-11‚) allows golfers to fine tune trajectory.

Available with 14 stock shaft options, it has an RRP of £449.

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P r e m i e r A l l - We a t h e r S u r f a c e s f o r G o l f

Partner

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TRADE NEWS

Bettinardi promises royal results with Queen B Leading putter brand Bettinardi has unveiled two new models that are packed with the company’s trademark technological features that will help golfers improve their distance control and ultimately hole more putts.

The Bettinardi Queen B 12 is a newly engineered model that offers players a compact blade, but with a wider flange design and crowned topline, to give the putter a beautiful aesthetic exclusive to Bettinardi for enhanced optics at address.

It features a one-piece milled plumbers’ neck that is perfect for players looking for a moderate toe-hang blade. The gentle contours, rounded bumpers and soft lines on

the all-new head shape unite Tour-inspires feedback into Bettinardi’s distinguished blade design.

The new Rose Gold PVD finish is highly durable and glare resistant which optimizes visual cues on the greens to give a confidence-inspiring appearance at every putt. Precision milled from soft carbon with the Micro-Honeycomb face, the B 12 boasts responsive feel at impact.

Also new to market is the Bettindardi SS17, a classic, heel-toe weighted blade which features a clean, high-toe top line and onepiece milled slant neck for enhanced optics and tour-inspired design.

At address, players will notice the soft tri-plane design on the sole, allowing for consistent setup during every crucial putt.

With modern enhancements on this classic blade, the SS17 brings confidence on the greens with the heritage and innovation of Bettinardi ingenuity. It also features the new Roll Control Face milling, an asymmetrical groove design which promotes more topspin at impact and shortens the distance it takes for the ball to achieve a true roll, leading to more consistent distance control from putt to putt.

For details of the full range, visit www.bettinardi.com.

Introducing…

a brand new service JUST for Pro Shops !

Instant prices 24/7 Our new trade-only website is now open!

It is the easiest way to turn tradeins and unsold stock into cash.

Set up your

free account today ! www.golfbidderpro.com 020 8401 6900 | pros@golfbidder.co.uk

72hr payment promise

Partner

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October 2021

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ADVERTORIAL

TRADE NEWS

GOLFBIDDER LAUNCHES GOLFBIDDERPRO.COM AND EXTENDS PGA PARTNERSHIP Golfbidder, Europe’s biggest buyer of new and used golf clubs, has launched the industry’s first website offering instant and guaranteed online prices.

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he Chessington-based company, who deal with 1,000+ golf retailers per year, use their sophisticated software and trading knowledge, to offer pro shops an immediate price on used clubs.

This removes the risk they normally take when accepting part-exchanges, aids their cashflow – and helps them sell more new stock. If customers know they can trade-in their old clubs, they are much more likely to transact.

By signing up to GolfbidderPro.com, PGA Professionals and their staff will be able to access instant prices at any time of day or night and on any device. So, whether Pros are in the shop with a customer, or out on the range giving a video lesson, they will have immediate access to Golfbidder’s prices on used clubs. Once they have the price, they can even book in the free, next day collection service via the website.

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This new service will be a huge timesaver for club pros, who have never been busier following the post-Covid boom in the market.

Along with announcing the launch of GolfbidderPro.com,Tthe PGA and Golfbidder are excited to announce an extension to their partnership, which will take it beyond 20 years!

Commenting on extending its status as a PGA Partner, Liam Robb, Golfbidder’s managing director said: “Having been a Partner of The PGA continuously for the past 20 years, we are delighted to be able to continue the agreement for another three.”

“We very much look forward to continuing to work with Robert Maxfield and the great team at The PGA and see this is an exciting time to extend the Partnership.”

“We are particularly excited about the recent launch of the new GolfbidderPro

#makinggolfhappen

website which, among other things, will provide the 1,000+ club pros to access instant prices for their used inventory – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”

Robert Maxfield, Chief Executive of the PGA added: “We are delighted Golfbidder has agreed to extend its relationship with The PGA. Golfbidder has been supporting the golf industry for over 20 years and we are excited to continue one of the longest standing partnerships as they introduce GolfbidderPro which will provide even more benefits to PGA Professionals.”

To be among the first to take advantage of the new service, head over to GolfbidderPro.com to sign up. If you would like further information about how taking trade-ins can boost your new club sales, you can call John Brooke and his team on Golfbidder’s dedicated Pro line at 020 8401 6900.

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GRIPS

GETTING AHEAD WITH YOUR

OFF-SEASON GRIP SALES

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There’s no better way to generate that extra bit of revenue during the quieter winter months than through focusing on grip sales

raditionally, golf professionals have been encouraged to sell grips to their customers and members in the early part of the year, prior to the start of the golf season. While it is, of course, a good practice to ensure that golfers are starting their season with fresh grips, could there be an even greater opportunity to maximise grip sales by targeting the latter stages of the year, away from the busy schedule?

In the UK, October through December is widely regarded as the period when the golf season slows down – with fewer lessons taking place and shops getting quieter. Here lies a fantastic opportunity for PGA Professionals to take advantage of the game-improvement technology that Golf Pride grips provide. With a variety of styles on the market, it seems like the perfect time to encourage members and players to update their grips before the golf season starts again.

The sale of grips can be one of the most profitable segments of business for a golf professional, and these winter months provide a great opportunity to capitalise on this. The first step involves a perfectly presented point of sale unit, with an array of styles and technologies being the focal point for players. Helping golfers to understand why their grips may need

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changing is the next piece of the puzzle.

A great way to do this is presenting the opportunity for a comparison with a brandnew sample from the display. Educating the golfer on the condition of their grips is a crucial part of the sale, because many of them won’t be aware of when the best time to replace them is.

Not every player will have sufficient funds to purchase new clubs, so providing them with a winter alternative of brandnew gripped clubs is a great option. New clubs always feel great – but aren’t the grips a huge part of that? Golf Pride grips can give golfers that brand new feeling over the winter, giving them something to get excited about. Clubs are not likely to be replaced regularly, so securing that

necessity feeling of new grips over the winter months gives professionals a chance of repeat custom in the future.

When selling new grips to customers it is good practice to keep a logbook of when each customer last changed their grips. This means that customers can be reminded of when the optimal time to regrip their clubs is. Golf Pride recommends that most golfers change their grips at least once per year to get the best out of their game.

February, March and April are notoriously busy months, with new product releases and heavy play on the course.

This is why these winter months could be a great way for PGA Professionals to create a higher demand for regripping services. It can be hard to find the time to regrip a whole set of clubs when business is booming over the summer and you have a lesson every hour. However, it can become a very valuable use of time when things start to die down - giving players the chance to get excited about that new club feeling over the winter and be ready for when February quickly rolls around.

For more information on the latest product offering from Golf Pride, head online to

www.golfpride.com

October 2021

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www.pga.info

Scott Graham - PGA Professional Purley Downs Golf Club

Graphic Designer Business Development Consultant Central Invoicing Executive Buying Terms Manager EMP Marketing Editor

Foremost Golf For more information contact our National Business Development Manager, David Murch +44 (0) 7712 842 720 • david.murch@foremostgolf.com

T R A D E TA L K Srixon has obviously enjoyed a large and loyal following in Japan and the Far East for many years, but is only a relative newcomer in golfing terms in Europe. How hard was it to get the company established firstly as a ball brand in the UK market in those early days, and then subsequently as a hardwear brand?

When Srixon was launched in Europe 20 years ago, no one knew this brand. No one was even able to pronounce the name correctly! We’ve gone to great lengths to get Srixon balls into the hands of golfers, pros and retailers, and we were always confident that people would like them once they had played with them.

Over the past 20 years, Srixon has developed a comprehensive range that enables every type of golfer to find a ball that will suit their game and will help them progress. In the AD333, we now have the number one two-piece ball in the UK, as well as in France, and its influence is growing in many other European countries.

What has been the reaction to the new Q-Star Tour Divide ball?

THREE TO

THE POWER Lionel Caron, President of Srixon Sports Europe, talks about the company’s 20-year journey in the golf industry and explains why PGA Professionals will always play a key role in helpling to spread the word about its trio of topselling brands – Srixon, Cleveland and XXI0 34

Without a doubt it has been the buzz of this second half of the year in Europe, or wherever it has been launched. Unique by its design, its contribution to the short game and its alignment aid in putting, the Q-Star Tour Divide is, above all, an excellent ball offering stability in the long game and performance around the greens. The initial feedback has been incredible, and it did not take long before we had to restock after the product was introduced in stores.

Cleveland has been under Srixon’s ownership since 2007. Where do you feel the brand is currently positioned in the UK and why should a retailer consider stocking Cleveland products?

Cleveland Golf is, first and foremost, a short game specialist brand, with more than 10 million wedges sold around the world in

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TRADE NEWS recent years. It is also the most complete offering on the market, with products catering for all player profiles. If a PGA retailer wants to offer their members an effective solution for their short game and putting, whilst guaranteeing a comfortable income, Cleveland is definitely the brand to offer.

Beyond the wedges, Cleveland’s collection of woods and irons also offers excellent value for money for customers, and excellent margins for retailers, in the gameimprovement segment.

Do Srixon sales represetantives work across all three brands - Srixon, Cleveland and XXIO – and, if so, how do they strike a balance about which to push, or is it just a question of listening to the customer?

Having three brands to sell is a great opportunity for our sales representatives. Our product offering targets different types of players at different price points, so whatever your game level and your budget, you will find something for you within Srixon Sport Europe’s line up. The sales force also ensures a balanced representation of our three brands and always offers the product, or products, best suited to the demands of our customers.

XXIO is a premium brand in terms of the quality of the materials and pricing, but what is the overall retail strategy for the brand? What kind of demands do you have from retailers looking to stock XXIO clubs?

XXIO is surely a unique distribution scheme.

Initially, we are targeting no more than 50 customers in the UK to launch the brand, before moderately expanding our distribution network. We offer a geographical area of exclusivity to our dealers to allow them to best promote this product, which perfectly meets the needs of golfers looking

Srixon Sports opened a new Centre of Excellence at Hartford GC in Cheshire this summer

for distance and ease in their game.

The XXIO range is exceptional and retailers who have adopted the brand are delighted with the initial customer feedback and the margin they generate on this product.

How much of a lift did it give Srixon to have first Shane Lowry win The Open in 2019 with a full bag of your clubs, and then this year with Hideki Matsuyama winning the Masters?

Undoubtedly, these victories shed more light on Srixon and a strong impact has been felt on our sales for the past 18 months. We are a brand that is sometimes a little underestimated because of our ‘in-house’ culture of designing high quality products rather than focusing so much on the marketing side of things. These victories have encouraged many golfers to give our products a try and they soon realise that they can improve their performance.

Srixon opened a new Centre of Excellence at Hartford Golf Club in Cheshire over the summer. Do you

have any plans for further fitting centres across Europe and the UK? This project is a core part of our strategy for the UK and Europe. It is important for us to get closer to golfers by giving them the possibility of a unique fitting experience with our three brands, and allowing them to find the clubs best suited to the progression of their game.

Our first centre, which opened at Hartford Golf Club in July, is already a success and this is evidenced by the record attendance we have seen. The centre will be followed by a second in France and a third in the south of England by the end of the year.

Over the next two years, others will follow in Spain, Germany, Sweden, Scotland and Ireland. It is also important to remember that these centres all open in partnership with local retailers, which is in line with our B2B strategy in Europe and the UK, because we do not sell directly to consumers.

These Centres of Excellence are not only an extension of our company, but they are also available to all UK retailers who want to use them for fittings for our products for their best customers.

What equipment are you most excited about launching for 2022?

Honestly, all of them! The new Cleveland XL clubs coming in March will reinforce our game improvement offer at a very affordable price for all. The XXIO 12 line launched in February will undoubtedly be a success as an extension of previous collections, thanks to a new, unique and innovative technology.

The new cavity wedge expected for next spring will complement our leadership in the short game, and the new balls promised for February/March will delight the most demanding golfers.

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P R O D U CT FO C U S : FO OT W E A R

STEPPING From the growth of trainer-inspired designs to the increased use of recycled materials, and the introduction of new closure systems and fitting options, Nick Bayly looks at some of the hot trends in golf shoes Once a boring, but essential item in every golfer’s wardrobe, golf shoes have emerged as one of the most technologically advanced categories in the golf equipment market in recent years, with the influence of the major sports footwear brands helping to make giant strides in improving the performance, comfort and cosmetics of what is now regarded as a key weapon in every golfer’s armoury.

Golf demands a lot from a shoe.

They need to flexible enough to

UP

BELOW G/FORE’s MG4 range is inspired by street fashions

ensure comfort when walking, yet they also need to be rigid enough to provide a solid platform when swinging.

They need to offer enough grip to prevent slippage yet be able to be worn on a variety of surfaces, from car to course to clubhouse.

They also need to keep the water out, so your feet don’t get wet, yet

LEFT FootJoy’s MyJoys programme gives golfers an almost unlimited choice of design options

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be breathable so that sweat can evaporate. On top of all that, they also need to look as good as they perform.

No wonder, then, that it has taken some of the footwear industry’s brightest minds to create golf shoes that deliver on all these requirements at a price that consumers will not only tolerate, but happily pay for.

FIT FOR PURPOSE The recent enhancements in the performance and comfort of golf shoes has been achieved through a wide range of factors, including the use of foambased materials that return more energy from the ground back up to the feet and the introduction of rubber nubs which are kinder to your feet and the grass than spikes, but won’t let you slip. But one of the biggest steps forward has been the development of anatomical lasts that better replicate the shape of the foot, and allow them to move more naturally, while also providing the support and cushioning where it is needed most.

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P R O D U CT FO C U S : FO OT W E A R Developed from studying the profiles of thousands of pairs of feet, many of the leading brands have been able to create internal shoe structures that allow the foot to move where it needs to (the forefoot and toe area, which is essential for balance, while also cradling it more closely in the areas where more support is required – the heel and the mid-foot. All of which allows golfers to walk 18 holes or more without feeling like they’ve done a marathon in pair of stillettos.

Skechers’ is among the brands leading the way for in-shoe comfort with its new ArchFit range. First launched in 2021, and being expanded for 2022, the ArchFit system was developed with over 20 years of data and 120,000 unweighted foot scans and features a removable cushioning insole which is made with shock-absorbing polyurethane. This distributes pressure across the arch of the foot, providing stability, balance and support where it is needed most.

Available in nine styles for men and seven for women, new Skechers’ GO GOLF ArchFit collection will be available early next year.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE The arrival of a new and younger generation of golfers during the pandemic has sped up golf’s move towards offering more relaxed and stylish golf shoe options, with brands such as Nike, adidas and Puma continuing to take inspiration from their most iconic trainer designs and adapt them for the golf course.

The top styles often make use of an exact replication of the original uppers, meaning the consumers get exactly same fit and feel as the original, only with a slightly different sole design for enhanced traction.

Grant Knudson, Puma Golf’s head of product marketing, said: “Golf’s popularity has grown at a rapid pace over the last 18 months and we’re seeing both avid golfers and new players shift toward more comfortable, athletic and spikeless footwear. Also, we’re finding that shoe styles that are popular in mainstream fashion are making their way to the golf course, such as our

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ABOVE Skechers Go Golf range for SS22 features a wider range of ArchFit models

BELOW Puma Golf’s RS-G shoe is a replica of a trainer design from the 1980s

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Puma RS-G, which offers performance and style.”

Knudson added: “Versatility is also a major factor in today’s golf footwear, and we’re finding that consumers are opting for shoes and clothes that they feel most comfortable in and can seamlessly transition from the golf course to wherever they happen to be going next.”

Other brands without a trainer heritage are also taking inspiration from the wider world of streetwear culture and using that to inspire their latest designs, with G/Fore being a prime example with its new MG4+ and MG4.1 Knit golf shoes.

SEEKING CLOSURE While traditional lace-up models still dominate the golf market, a growing number of brands are offering the BOA Fit System and designs which combine laces with wrap-over straps and webbings that offer a more personalised fit.

While laces tend to tighten up the area around the top of the midfoot, BOA’s wire system pulls the shoe in from a wider area of the shoe, helping to cocoon the foot for increased stability without creating the tightness around the opening of the shoe that is often associated with laces.

For example, Puma’s recently launched Ignite Fasten8 shoe integrates webbing support straps directly into the lacing system, while

adidas’ new ZG21 Motion not only features BOA, but also comes with a Y-shaped strap that creates a secure fit over the instep while offering freedom in the toe box. ECCO has also added a BOA option to its new H4 Biom shoe, while FootJoy’s HyperFlex BOA model has been one of the best-selling shoes of the year.

While FootJoy enjoys exclusive use of BOA dials located on the heel, other brands offer them on side of the shoe or the tongue. Wherever the dial is located, BOA Fit shoes are ideal for use in winter, when laces can get clogged with mud, and are also great for juniors just starting out in the game, as it’s just a case of ‘twist and go’.

In addition to more closure options, several new shoes, including adidas Golf’s ZG21 Motion, feature a sock-like opening similar to that found in many football boots. These not only serve to enhance the fit around the ankle area, but also prevent moisture and sand from getting inside the shoe.

CARBON FOOTPRINTS While many of the leading apparel brands are shifting towards the use of more sustainable fabrics, with recycled polyester and plastics featuring in many of the current ranges, the footwear sector has been slower to embrace the need for more environmentally conscious products.

Thankfully, there are exceptions, with adidas Golf leading the way when it comes to reducing its carbon footprint. The brand, which has already pledged to end its reliance on single-use plastics by 2025, has recently launched its No-Dye Collection, a special golf shoe offering that are made with the material’s natural colour, which saves 60% on the amount of water and energy that would be used for the pre-treatment phase of dyeing upper materials.

The resulting dye-free material is an off-white colour which makes it stand out from the crowd. Currently available in its adicross ZX Primeblue and ZG21 Motion shoes, the former features a textile upper made with yarn containing a minimum of 50% Parley Ocean Plastic, while the latter also boasts an upper made with a minimum of 50% recycled content, further enhancing its eco credentials.

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Any time, place, or condition.

Gear designed to make every day playable.

THE ISLE OF HARRIS GOLF CLUB, OUTER HEBRIDES, SCOTLAND

P R O D U CT FO C U S : FO OT W E A R “We’re continually evaluating ways to reduce our environmental impact when it comes to our products,” said Masun Denison, adidas Golf’s global director of footwear. “With this collection, we’re giving golfers another reason beyond just style and performance to feel good about the shoes they’re wearing.”

Ecco Golf is also doing its bit to reduce its impact on the environment by taking water out of its leather tanning process. Dry tanning, which saves 70% of the brand’s water usage, is part of a whole range of sustainability initiatives being instigated by the Danish footwear company, which has set a target of being self-serving for all its electricity needs by 2025.

BOLD COLOUR CHOICES White shoes with a black saddle.

White shoes with a brown saddle. All white. All black. It seemed golf shoes were trapped in an endless cycle of conformity for decades. Thankfully, those days are long over. While there are plenty of golfers who still love to play in classic-looking monochrome footwear, and there is certainly a market for them, the current trend is towards more athletic-looking shoes with bold colours that can be matched with a golfer’s apparel.

Most golfers these days own two or three pairs of golf shoes to suit course conditions, but also to offer different looks, just as they would in their casual daily wear, so the arrival of new colour options provides a great opportunity to increase shoe sales, especially to loyal customers who you know like to keep up with the latest fashions.

ECCO Golf’s SS22 range is great example of this move towards more fashionable colour options, with its new Golf Tray collection for women featuring a variety of on-trend hues, with uppers boasting peach, lavender and eggshell blue, while the soles come in a variety of eye-catching shades, including lemon sherbet, nectarine,

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BOOST YOUR SHOE SALES Peter Smyth, TGI Golf’s Retail Consultant in Ireland, offers some tips to increase footwear income

aqua blue, lime and dusty pink. The men’s range is slightly less daring, but ECCO’s new Biom C4 and Biom H4 shoes both offer bold colour pops in the mid-section of the sole, with red, green, blue elements providing a nice contrast to the more traditional white, grey and black upper options.

However, FootJoy unquestionably leads the way when it comes to personalisation of both colours and styles with its hugely popular MyJoys programme. Offering colour customisation of the base, saddle, accents and laces, as well as a variety of finishes and leathers in a wide selection of spiked and spikeless models, there are almost an infinite number of options to make your shoes stand out from the crowd, while FootJoy’s online design tool makes it even easier to kickstart the ordering process.

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TOP BOA closures are offered on a growing number of shoes, including adidas’s new ZG21 Motion ABOVE Stuburt has three new shoes for SS22, including the XP II Spikeless

CREATE AN EVENT Set up a ‘Free Shoe Fitting’ promotion to tie in with your existing stock. As many as 70% of golfers are wearing the wrong sized shoes. Communicate this service directly to your customers’ email, as well as promoting it across your social channels and around the clubhouse. You could even tie it into an existing event, such as your Pro’s Day or a monthly medal.

CROSS-MERCHANDISING Introduce cross-merchandising to encourage impulse sales. Take a pair of shoes and build them into your clothing displays or break up your golf bags, this way it gets the hottest products catching the customer’s eye.

MAKE SELLING FUN Liven up your sales team by introducing some sales target contests or games. This will create a buzz internally and incentivize the team to boost sales knowing that a reward is there to be had.

CLOSING THE SALE Don’t overlook the importance of closing the sale. Spending time with your staff on specific training on how to do it will empower them as well as increase confidence with your team on getting that sale over the line. Ensuring all your staff are fully trained on the F&Bs of all the shoes in your shop is a good place to start.

BELOW ECCO Golf’s Biom C4 will headline the range in SS22

BUNDLE PRICING Bundle pricing gives you the opportunity to sell multiple products – shoes/socks/spikes, for example – for a slightly lower price than your customers would pay if they purchased each item individually. Not only is bundling an effective way of moving unsold shoes, but it can also increase the customer’s perception of value.

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R E TA I L

XPOS CADDIE –

IT’S NOT JUST FOR LOCKDOWNS Launched in January, during the height of the pandemic, the XPOS Caddie app offered pro shops a lifeline when traditional sales channels were closed. Ten months on, retailers are discovering the benefits of the app’s latest features and how it is delivering on its promise of increasing revenue for the business

Peter Roberts is Head PGA Professional at Surbiton Golf Club in Surrey and took over the position in October 2019, just five months before the UK went into the first Covid-19 lockdown.

“This has been my first ‘normal’ season at the club, and it’s been great, although very hard work,” says Peter. “Until this month, it’s been pretty much 100% attendance on the course and we’re just starting to see some gaps in the tee sheet with the change in the weather. I’ve really enjoyed being able to see members face to face over the last few months to talk to them about what we’re doing in the pro shop.”

IN-APP TIME SAVING The pro shop team has been using the XPOS Caddie app for online lesson bookings since July when Peter signed up to ProAgenda.com.

“Before we put it in place, I used to have to cross out an afternoon each week to do admin, but now I keep that time free,” says Peter. ”Members used to send me emails, WhatsApp messages, texts, or they’d come in the shop and want to book lessons face to face. Now I just ask them to download the XPOS Caddie app.”

“Before Covid, QR codes seemed to have disappeared, but during the pandemic, people had to get comfortable using them in bars or restaurants. We have posters in the shop with a QR code which makes it quick to get started with the app and book their lessons”.

Peter insists the whole team has seen an improvement. “At first, the guys were hesitant as there are other online booking systems that, admittedly, are cheaper, but they don’t work as well. The ProAgenda.com integration in the app looks professional and works brilliantly.”

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FEATURE-RICH Initially, the app offered three main features, including the Reserve & Collect store which is linked to the shop’s XPOS system; a real-time view of customer account balances; and push notifications which send a quick SMS to update golfers on new product ranges, events or other news from the pro shop.

Despite wanting members to use all the

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R E TA I L features in the XPOS Caddie app, Peter admits he hasn’t had time to do much promotion over the Summer. “We have about 160 members on the app, which was a good start, but I want to see everyone on it. Our plan is to get up to date with stock taking so the in-app Reserve & Collect store will give a true picture of our products, and really push the app over the Winter to our membership. Around 85% of my customers on the app are using it to check their account balances, which is another great time-saver for us, and I want to build in the push notifications as a key communications tool.”

CUSTOMER CHOICE If you still want to be convinced about an app for golfers that enables customers to view and reserve up to date stock information, take a look at what your golfers are wearing. Did they buy every item from you? Did they buy every bit of equipment from your shop? Probably not.

When your golfers visit the pro shop, they’ll buy a snack before a round or pick up a card because they’re rushing off to the first tee.

Very often, they won’t have the time to check out the outerwear range that arrived last week or take advantage of your new 3-for-2 offers on balls.

Over the last year, we’ve talked a lot about the changing face of retail and how important it is to offer customers different opportunities to buy from you. While the majority of apparel purchases are still made in-store, it is changing.

“When customers shop online, not only do they spend more time looking for what they want than they would in a shop, but they go on to spend more money with you,” says retail expert and XPOS Business Development Director Mark Hopkins, who insists golf professionals shouldn’t miss out.

“If they’re visiting your shop regularly, customers can become ‘product blind’.

We’re creatures of habit and if we’re often in the shop to buy a drink or some tees or simply sign in, it’s very hard to get us to do anything else. It’s one of the reasons why you should merchandise your shop on a regular basis. Instead, we tend to make purchasing decisions throughout the day - when we’re watching TV or during a break at work.

“Like marketing, successful selling is about the number of places you can reach your customers - touch points. Try to reach out

What’s New? ONLINE LESSON BOOKING • Professionals can add their own lesson booking URL, including Foremost’s Online Booking System for the buying group’s members.

• XPOS has linked up with ProAgenda. com for a seamless experience and single sign in for users.

PAYMENTS ONLINE Golfers can now top up their account via the app, or pay off outstanding debts to your customer base as many times as possible to make sure that your business is always front of mind. The XPOS Caddie app gives customers a 24/7 window into your shop. By adding elements such as viewing, or topping up, account balances, booking lessons and purchasing gift vouchers, customers have more reasons to use the app and, therefore, more opportunity to see what you have in stock.”

SHORT SUPPLY With nationwide shortages becoming more common place, the XPOS Caddie app is a great way for customers to see what you have in the shop, and reserve items via the app to ensure they don’t miss out on stock that may be in short supply.

“The push notifications feature is such a valuable tool to remind users to go to the app,” says Hopkins. “It’s a fast way to alert members to new stock. Golfers are competitive and they don’t want to miss out.”

Another benefit of the app is that it forces retailers to keep their stock taking up to scratch. “You want the app to show a fully stocked shop with accurate quantities.

Regular stocktakes will also mean your XPOS Performance Dashboard makes sense and

Users can purchase pro shop gift vouchers which can then be ‘gifted’ to members or even to golfers not on your customer database.

What’s Next?

CADDIE PROMOTIONS Quickly set up promotions (eg, 3 for 2, or Autumn deals) for your shop and XPOS Caddie app, including automated campaigns within the app itself – another powerful touch point to help drive sales.

your reports show you what’s really going on in the business,” stresses Hopkins. “Stock supply issues are going to be here for a while yet, so there are many reasons to stay ahead of stock taking.”

SECONDARY SALES The Development Team at XPOS continues to add exciting, new features to the XPOS Caddie app with more promised - in time to help retailers optimise Christmas sales.

With the addition of new features and benefits, the team believes it really is bringing golf together and is pleased to see new retailers signing up every week.

Says Hopkins: “We’ve seen an uptick over recent weeks, as summer draws to a close, and I’ve spoken to several pros who are planning to allocate time during the winter to ensure their customers are enjoying it and using it to browse stock.

I’d just say to any golf retailer who isn’t using the XPOS Caddie app already, to use the quieter months to your benefit.

Familiarise yourself with the app and use the time to market it to your customer base. If members can get used to using the app over the Winter, you’ll see an uplift in sales, year-round.”

EXPERT TIP FOR THE MONTH MARK HOPKINS XPOS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR When your customers ask you for an update on their account balance, ask them to download the XPOS Caddie app where they can view it anytime. They’ll also be able to see a statement for the last 12 months. It’s a sure way to get your customer base using the app regularly and checking out your online store at the same time.

To book a Business Health Review with Mark Hopkins, email mark.hopkins@crossovertec.co.uk.

For more information on the XPOS Caddie app, visit crossovertec.co.uk

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TRADE NEWS

ADVERTORIAL

REWARDING CHANGE WITH

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OCEANTEE

ince sustainable golf brand OCEANTEE became a Partner of The PGA earlier this year, the brand has succeeded in capturing the attention of golfers and non-golfers alike. On September 22nd, the business won a Gold for Best Start-up Enterprise at the Global Good Awards. These awards aren’t about how good the products are, which they undoubtedly are, but focus on purpose-driven sustainability and social impact. This basically means that the judges are looking at the positive impact OCEANTEE and its products have on the planet, on the golf industry as a whole, and the global community.

A great example of how OCEANTEE ticks all these boxes is the Ladies European Tour Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open. Competitors were all given bamboo tees (replacing less sustainable alternatives), children came to learn about sustainability, charity partner the Marine Conservation Society was able to collect important data for its research, as well as reaching new audiences, and local news and sports news covered the event. The perfect storm of social impact and purpose-driven sustainability.

Now there is a great chance for you and your club to get involved and win a visit from a Tour player! OCEANTEE and The Marine Conservation Society are inviting young golfers from across the UK to take part in their #foretheocean Sustainability Series challenge.

“Youngsters often have a better grasp on sustainability and the environment than we do, which is why we have been inspired to reward their passion and ingenuity,” explains Ed Sandison Founder of OCEANTEE. “We are looking for a project or idea that will make a genuine impact. Something simple that will change the club forever.”

This will be a great way to engage junior golfers through the winter when the weather isn’t always on our side. Members can access the Marine Conservation Society video via PGA Learn, and can look out for tips and ideas from OCEANTEE Ambassadors and partners by following @oceanteegolf. If you’d like to get involved with the competition, get in touch at james@oceanteegolf.com.

Alternatively, you can ask Ed and the team about the project, which runs to the end of the year, at the WPGA Vivien Saunders Fourball event at Trentham Golf Club, Staffordshire. Ed will be presenting as well as asking the Membership about ways to elevate the WPGA Series in 2022. As if that wasn’t enough for this busy brand, remember to check out the new look www.oceanteegolf.com website. As well as a fresh redesign there is a fantastic new collection including a great accessories line, expanded apparel range and a new tee box design which aims to create even more stand out on shelf.

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T R A D E R E TA I L Q & A

TAKING IT TO THE MAX Steven Maxwell, Head PGA Professional at Paisley Golf Club in Scotland, offers the inside track on his retail operation

How big is your retail space and how many staff work in it?

I have just two staff at the moment, and I will probably keep it at that over the winter and see how the land lies next season. The retail space is about 5m x 5m and we also have an indoor custom-fitting studio with a hitting bay and a putting mat.

How has your retail operation fared over the last 18 months?

It’s been good, although it’s hard to compare on past seasons as ever since I took on my first full Head PGA Professional role in 2018 I’ve never had a full year to benchmark it against! In my first job I was only there for nine months before the club was bought out and the structure changed, then it wasn’t long after starting at Paisley that the pandemic came along. If we could get hold of enough of the right stock, the retail side of the business would be extremely good, but the supply chain issues have been the same for everyone.

Sales have been up and down with the lockdowns, but overall we’ve done alright.

Have your future ordering plans altered because of the pandemic?

There’s always a little bit of guesswork involved in placing orders, but that has been even more so recently. I’ve moved to slightly higher-end clothing brands as people have been more willing to spend more money.

People are willing to pay a bit more for quality products. I’ve also bought a bit more hardwear than usual too, as people have been snapping it up.

What equipment and apparel brands do you stock?

My full equipment ranges this year have been PING, Srixon, TaylorMade, Mizuno and Wilson, and Cleveland for its wedges. Apparel-wise I stock adidas, FootJoy and J Lindberg.

What are your best-selling products this year?

PING equipment has been a big seller. People trust the brand to bring out quality products and it always sells well for me. Over the last 18

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months FootJoy apparel have been very good for us this year, but in more recent months all three clothing brands I stock have sold well.

What products are you excited about stocking next season?

PING club are always good and I’ll be interested to see what TaylorMade will be bringing out as their products have sold well this year. In terms of apparel, I’ve booked a few things for next year and it all looks good.

Are you worried about stock shortages?

Worried, not too much, but frustrated, yes.

There’s no one to blame though, it’s just one of those things. It just means we’re constantly having to apologise to customers.

compete with off-course retailers. I love the events TGI put on too, from the Business Conference at Turnberry and the Partnership Trophy at The K Club. Everything they do to help us is geared towards our individual businesses, so you always feel valued.

What marketing do you do to attract customers into your shop?

Have you noticed an upsurge in new customers following the increase in golf participation?

I do a bit online with Facebook and Instagram and use the TGI Golf newsletter system to communicate with my members.

Yes, but not as much as others have perhaps felt. The membership was pretty close to full at the start of the pandemic, and we have a joining fees, so when the demand of golf jumped the clubs around us did well, but we just ended up adding to our waiting list. My retail operation certainly saw an increase from our existing members, who had more money to spend from staying at home, but we didn’t see too many new customers.

Do you offer custom fitting for all clubs and, if so, what percentage of your sales are fitted?

Do you belong to a buying group, and, if so, how has it helped your business?

I’m with TGI Golf. When I took my first job I didn’t know too much about the buying groups, just that there were a couple of options and you should be in one. My previous boss was with TGI, so I joined them and it’s been a massive help. I joined the group at a similar time to the Scottish Retail Consultant Ricky Gray and he has been great since day one – always there to help me and give me ideas. It has been the best decision I made at the start of my career and talking to a lot of my fellow Partners they all think the same.

There’s a lot of things that help by being part of TGI Golf. The terms we receive from the brands means we are always able to

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Yes, I custom fit for all clubs from driver to putter. I reckon that at least 75% of the woods and irons I sell are custom fitted, and perhaps half of the putters.

What special promotions have proved most popular with your customers?

I staged a lot of promotions around the Majors this year, simple sweep stakes and the like. It’s always been a bit different for each one and the members know they’re coming, so they look out for them.

Have you made any changes to your shop over the last 12 months and what are your future plans for your retail operation?

I always like to change something every winter. This year we changed the slat wall, I was looking at new panels which was looking too expensive, so we ended up with a new vinyl over the wall which has completely changed the look of the shop.

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T R AV E L

LAST MINUTE

GETAWAYS Joe Bowrey Senior Travel Consultant Jbowrey@golfbreaks.com 01753 752880

FROM

FROM

£215

£159

PER AMATEUR

LA CALA GOLF RESORT FUENGIROLA, SPAIN

With the recent government announcement on easing of travel restrictions for double vaccinated people and the traffic light system for travel being scrapped, there has never been a better time to getaway with your members and create additional income during the off season.

Although availability is tight, we do have some fantastic last-minute offers if you are looking to get away with your members in the next few months.

PER AMATEUR

RESIDENCES AT CALEIA MAR MENOR GOLF RESORT MURCIA, SPAIN

3 nights Bed & Breakfast and 2 rounds of golf From £215 per amateur Pro goes free with 7 amateurs Added extras: Free shared buggies

3 nights Bed & Breakfast and 2 rounds of golf From £159 per amateur Pro goes free with 7 amateurs

FROM

FROM

£335

£199

PER AMATEUR

PER AMATEUR

AMENDOEIRA GOLF RESORT ALBUFEIRA, PORTUGAL

PESTANA GRAMACHO RESIDENCE CARVOEIRO, PORTUGAL

3 nights Bed & Breakfast and unlimited golf From £335 per amateur Pro goes free with 7 amateurs Added extras: Free shared buggies

3 nights Bed & Breakfast and unlimited golf From £199 per amateur Pro goes free with 7 amateurs Added extras: €25 Resort credit per apartment

To discuss you’re next break away get in touch with the Golfbreaks Pro Travel team 01753 752 880 | pga@golfbreaks.com |

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Extended

Book a Pro Travel break with us this October & save up to £400!

Book now to receive bonus Breakpoints to use against future bookings.

Group size

UK & Ireland

Europe, Turkey, Morocco & Tunisia

Worldwide - USA, Dominican Republic, South Africa, Thailand, Abu Dhabi & Dubai

4-7

N/A

N/A

1000pts (£100)

8 - 11

500pts (£50)

750pts (£75)

2000pts (£200)

12 - 15

750pts (£75)

1000pts (£100)

3000pts (£300)

16 - 19

1000pts (£100)

1500pts (£150)

4000pts (£400)

20 - 23

1250pts (£125)

2000pts (£200)

As above

24 - 27

15000pts (£150)

2500pts (£250)

As above

Book by 31st Oct 2021. Minimum group sizes apply

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OUR TOP BREAKS

FOR 2022 James Martin Busines Development Manager jrmartin@golfbreaks.com 07849 083 479

T

ravel planning is now in full flow for 2022 amongst PGA Professionals who already participate in taking groups of members or clients away. There are many benefits of entertaining a group of members overseas or in the UK, none more so than creating additional revenue for yourself and building long lasting relationships with your members.

Now is the best time to start looking at your break before availability at the best resorts and venues get swallowed up with the bounce back in demand for overseas travel we are seeing across the board. Book before the end of October and take advantage of our Early Birdie booking promotion, offering you further incentive to lock your next golf break in early.

Scotland – Fairmont St Andrews

UK – Carden Park

From £145 per amateur

From £149 per amateur

The area of St Andrews needs no introduction, however there are stacks of top-quality golf courses on the doorstep when you look away from the iconic Old Course. Fairmont St Andrews is a stunning 5-star resort with two courses on-site – Torrance and Kittocks- and is the perfect base to stay and explore the local town.

If you are looking for a resort for your next Captain’s or Pro’s away weekend, then look no further than this 5-star resort just 20 minutes from Chester city centre. Carden Park has everything you need for a short break with two fantastic courses including the Jack Nicklaus design “Nicklaus” course, excellent restaurant, and bar options as well as a host of other facilities around the grounds. One of our most popular UK venues for Pros, it offers great value for money and can cater for large size groups.

Looking to stay for longer? We can easily add in additional rounds at local courses such the New, Jubilee, Dunbarnie Links or Kingsbarns to name but a few.

Thought about running your own “Ryder Cup” style event with a fellow Pro or heading away for Masters weekend?

This is the perfect venue for it!

To discuss you’re next break away get in touch with the Golfbreaks Pro Travel team 01753 752 880 | pga@golfbreaks.com |

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T R AV E L Portugal – The Magnolia Hotel From £309 per amateur This unique boutique hotel offers affordable and luxurious accommodation in the heart of Quinta do Lago. Quinta do Lago’s 3 stunning courses; North, South and Laranjal, are only 2 miles away, making it the place to base yourself for an upmarket coaching or leisure break. The golf club boasts excellent facilities and your members will not be disappointed with the standard of golf on offer.

If you want to add further rounds to your package to enhance your groups experience, the famous Royal course at Vale do Lobo with one of the most iconic par 3’s in Europe alongside the Ocean course at Vale do Lobo are only a short drive away.

Spain – Precise Resort El Rompido

Turkey – Gloria Golf Resort

From £299 per amateur

From £685 per amateur

Our most popular Spanish venue amongst Pro groups, this resort offers everything you need to run the perfect coaching break. With two courses on site, two practice areas and dedicated short game area, its perfect for coaching all aspects of your members’ game. The hotel benefits from half board and semi all-inclusive options making it great value for money and a real hidden gem.

Another popular resort for coaching and leisure breaks amongst Pro groups is Gloria Golf Resort in Belek. Only a 40-minute transfer from Antalya, the resort is situated on the beach front and at the foot of the Taurus mountains.

Gloria also has two golf courses on-site, superb practice facilities and a wealth of bars of restaurants to choose from including a nightclub. Offering all-inclusive as standard, this 5-star resort offers superb value for money and excellent weather all year round.

Dubai – Media Rotana From £439 per amateur Dubai has become increasingly popular amongst Pro groups over recent years with its warm temperatures and championship standard golf courses.

The Media Rotana is one of many hotels in Dubai offering easy access to the main golf clubs and a great base to explore the area. Play any of the popular Dubai Hills, the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, the Majlis course at Emirates GC and Address Montgomerie to name but a few.

Want to make your trip extra special? Why not add in tournament tickets to the Dubai Desert Classic or the DP World Tour Championship for a trip your members won’t forget.

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ADVERTORIAL

TRADE NEWS

TEAM SPIRIT DRIVES HUXLEY GOLF TO NEW HEIGHTS

O

n the anniversary of becoming an Employee Ownership Trust, longterm PGA partner for golf surfaces, Huxley Golf has reported strong trading and a 50% increase in enquiries.

Employee Ownership Trusts (EOT) remain few and far between in the UK. In the golf sector, it’s quite unique. Here, employees run the company and benefit from sharing its profits, while the company retains its independence, culture and values.

Director of Huxley (UK) Ltd and Director of the Trust company, Paul Huxley, reflects on the company’s success: “Transitioning to this business model has been an incredibly positive step for both our company and our customers. After our first year as an EOT, we’ve achieved a strong year financially and our already high standards have been strengthened as we have become more agile and efficient.”

Jo Lyon, company Director, agrees.

“We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from customers about our EOT status; there’s no doubt that it engenders trust. It gives them

confidence if they’ve not dealt with us before because they know that all of us here have a vested interest in doing a fantastic job for them,” she said.

“Several clubs and courses took periods of closure as opportunities to accelerate planned updates and enhancements, because they recognised that our allweather concepts could deliver immediate benefits to existing members and give them something interesting to attract new members to make a splash on reopening” added Hugh Fraser, Director of the Huxley Golf Trust company and Manager for Scotland and North East England.

Edinburgh’s Swanston Golf Club is one example, reinvesting in its 9-hole, par 3 Templar Course, some thirteen years after it first opened. As there are no natural grass alternatives, the whole course benefits from reliable artificial tee surfaces which guarantee year-round play. Club Manager, Mike Robson, said, “This is the first occasion that I have had the opportunity to work with Huxley Golf, but I had no hesitation in

putting my trust in the company to revamp what is an increasingly popular feature of our Club. It is clear to me that the quality and playing experience of Huxley Golf surfaces remain unbeatable.”

In the context of an unparalleled year of challenges, Huxley Golf’s success is quite extraordinary, as Director Paul Chester explains: “Like many British businesses, we have had significant operational obstacles to overcome: our industry came to a halt almost overnight, there’s been complications around compliance with pandemic restrictions and uncertainty around post-Brexit cross-border trading, delivery delays and driver shortages to contend with.

“Despite these significant hurdles, our business has not just survived, it has thrived. I put this down to incredible team spirit. While getting used to our new roles, everyone here has pulled together to help one another find solutions to the various challenges we have been presented with to ensure that Huxley Golf customers continue to get the service they deserve.”

To find out more on how Huxley Golf can help you enhance and update your facility, please call one of the friendly team on

01730 829 608 or visit www.huxleygolf.com/pga The PGA Professional

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C OAC H I N G

‘Role model’ Maguire will boost female golf in Ireland Leona Maguire’s heroics at the 2021 Solheim Cup can inspire the next generation of female golfers in Ireland and boost the women’s game in the country, according to her coach, Shane O’Grady.

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P

GA Professional O’Grady watched with pride from his home in County Meath as Maguire became a household name following her incredible performance as Europe defeated America in Toledo, Ohio to retain the Solheim Cup. Maguire, 26, was instrumental in that victory, securing four-and-half points on her Solheim Cup debut.

She was given a hero’s welcome home at PGA branded property, Slieve Russell Hotel, in Country Cavan, but her rise to fame comes as no surprise to coach O’Grady.

“I’m a very, very proud coach,” said O’Grady, who is based at Black Bush Golf Club. “It was great that the world got to see that Leona is that good, because we know she’s been that good for a long time

“She’s been world number as an amateur, she’s eighth on the money list in America, which is way higher than any other European player, and I think a lot of people wouldn’t have been aware of that.

“She’s a class act and I did expect her to be one of the top players in the Solheim Cup. It was very nice to see her do it, but she is a big achiever and always has been, going back to her performances in the Curtis Cup and everything else.

“I think Leona’s performance for Europe is massive for ladies’ golf in Ireland. The men’s game has always been strong in Ireland, but ladies, we have no standout players, but I think Leona is the first one.

“She’s got her card on the LPGA Tour and she’s now a Solheim Cup player. That gives the next

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C OAC H I N G generation someone they can look up to, and other players below her a pathway follow in her footsteps and show that a female player in Ireland can achieve what Leona has achieved. It gives them a role model.”

O’Grady has played a pivotal role in Maguire’s career ever since he was trusted to be her coach, along with twin sister Lisa when they were aged just 10-and-a-half.

“Anyone who came across the Maguire twins knew they were incredibly talented,” O’Grady recalls.

“It was an honour and privilege that their parents brought them to me and trusted me to help develop them.

“They played in the Irish Open when they were 12, won ladies’ amateur events when they were 13 and 14, just young girls, they were the youngest players to be part of the Curtis Cup team in Boston when they were just 15. They would have been on the radar for people in golf for a long, long time.”

The Cavan twins took the amateur game by storm, and while Lisa retired in 2019, Leona’s game went from strength-to-strength.

She is arguably one of the greatest female amateur players of all time, sitting top of the World Amateur rankings for 135 weeks.

After turning professional in 2018, Maguire, who has represented Ireland at two Olympic Games, is now a regular on the LPGA Tour in America.

Asked how O’Grady has improved Leona as a player, he continued: “I’ve worked with Leona on all different parts of her

game, addressing weaknesses and strengths at different stages of her career.

“When she was at college in America she was a phenomenal ball striker and could hit it straight.

As an amateur, Leona had the long game to compete, but we decided over the last year-and-a-half, because courses are getting longer, she needed that bit more length to compete week in, week out.

“Leona acquired that without losing her accuracy which is a big skill. A lot of people get longer, but they lose their accuracy.”

O’Grady has also improved Maguire’s putting game, so much so she was ranked number one last year in the putting average stats for the LPGA Tour.

O’Grady continued: “Her putting when she turned professional wasn’t at the level it needed to be for her to go on in the game.

“We did a huge amount of work behind the scenes in my indoor putting studio, but she also put in a

The PGA Professional | #makinggolfhappen

lot of hard work; those things helped her get to that level. She wasn’t a bad putter in the first place by any means, but she’s an amazing putter and green reader now.

“Her bunker play has improved too. Playing on the LPGA Tour in California, Florida, Chicago etc, you come across different types of sands, so we’ve changed her bunker play a little bit to be more consistent out of the different sands.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the way O’Grady is able to coach. But, like most, they have adapted to different ways of communicating in this digital era.

“It’s hard to travel so I haven’t been there at any events and I missed the Solheim Cup, which was a frustration, but Leona commuted back a lot.

“She spent January here because of the lockdown and then went out two weeks before the start of the LPGA Tour, whereas in the past she probably would have stayed out in America.

“But with video technology, I can be on the range with her in Australia to California and it’s just like you’re there, I can talk to her and we can go through things over the phone – it’s amazing.”

Maguire’s performance in the Solheim Cup looks to have taken her game to another. So, what does the future hold for Ireland’s latest golf sensation?

O’Grady added: “Niall Horan owns her management company and when Leona broke into the top 50 in the world at 47, he texted her a well done message, and she texted him back and said ‘only another 46 to go Niall’. She’s always thinking about what she can do next – very driven.

“A year ago our target was to finish as high as she can on the LPGA Tour money list. There’s about seven tournaments left and their tour championship final isn’t until late November, so there’s a lot still to play for. To finish high up on that list in her rookie year would be massive.

“It’s been very enjoyable watching her success and it’s great to see something you’ve worked so hard at behind the scenes, seeing her in the public view now is great.”

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BENEFITS

LIFE’S ESSENTIALS FROM PGA BENEFITS

Take advantage of these offers designed to support PGA Members on the things that matter most.

GREAT SAVINGS ON A WIDE RANGE OF APPLE PRODUCTS

HOTPOINT PRIVILEGE PURCHASE CLUB

15% OFF A SUBSCRIPTION TO THE ECONOMIST*

GET DISCOUNTS ON 350 UK BRANDS ONLINE AND ON THE HIGH STREET

Whether you are travelling or at home, stay close to the stories that matter with a subscription to The Economist.

Read by prominent international figures such as Bill Gates and Hilary Clinton, they report on diverse subjects, from politics to business and finance; from science and technology to culture and the arts.

Take advantage of TOTUM PRO, a discount card and app that offers busy professionals access to discounts and offers from 350 UK retailers available in-store, online and via the TOTUM app*. Save money on all the things you love from dining out and keeping fit to clothes shopping and travel abroad.

Save between 2%-10% on Apple products including MacBook Pro, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods and HomePod as well as Apple accessories** (inc Beats). There’s no need to wait for delivery, you can order online and collect from your nearest Apple store within one hour*. Subject to store openings. **Current discount exclusions: New iMac, Apple Watch Hermès, Edition, and Studio, iPad Pro, HomePod mini, AppleTV 4K, AppleTV HD, AppleCare+, AirPods Max.

Take advantage of the Privilege Purchase Club and its exclusive members-only pricing. Choose from over 850 different products which include great brands including KitchenAid, Whirlpool, Hotpoint and Indesit. All appliances have already been pre-discounted from washing machines, fridge freezers and dishwashers etc. All prices include FREE UK delivery*.

To take advantage of these and other fantastic deals visit: https://www.pga.info/members/member-benefits/ today! *Terms and conditions apply to all benefits. See website for details. Offers subject to change without notice and correct at time of print. Apple - Annual purchase limits apply.

Discounts are subject to availability. For the latest offers visit the Apple EPP store. PGA Benefit web pages are managed and run by Parliament Hill Limited. Within those benefits are some benefits negotiated directly by The PGA, and these are identified on the benefit web page.

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BENEFITS Golfing Packages Commission Access to bespoke golfing packages for you and your club members through the dedicated Golf Pro Travel Team. Receive 5% commission on your booking. Contact 01753 752 880 or email pga@golfbreaks.com to book your next trip.

Argentario Golf Resort & Spa 20% off the flexible rate at www.argentariogolfresortspa.it. For availability and prices on bespoke packages for members/clients, email booking@argentarioresort.it or call +39 0564 810292 quoting PGA Member

Modry Las Golf Resort Modry Las, is delighted to offer fantastic Stay & Play coaching packages for PGA Members. Visit the Members’ Area and find us under ‘Travel & Experiences’ for more info. Get in touch on golf@modrylas.pl or +48 667 710 410 or visit www.modrylas.pl

Formby Hall Golf & Spa Resort Rates from £95pp including use of the pool and health club.

Spa days from £49 pp. PGA deals available Sun – Thurs.

Contact Mark Williams on 01704 875 699 or reservations@ formbyhallgolfresort.co.uk quoting your membership number.

Legal Advice If you live in the UK and ROI, free legal advice is available from ARAG plc. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0330 303 1846.

PAYE/National Insurance advice BDO LLP offer a free helpline to members.

Contact michael.hepburn@bdo.co.uk or call on 0131 347 0355

Health and Wellbeing Support The PGA offers access to a 24/7, totally confidential helpline manned by trained counsellors providing help and advice on any matter that is causing anxiety, concern or depression. The service is also available to your close family and employees. If you feel you or someone close to you needs help, call 0333 000 2082.

Aphrodite Hills Golf & Spa Resort 25% off for members on holiday residences public rates and 20% off hotel package rates (terms apply)†. For availability and prices email: Hotel Packages – reservations@aphroditehills.com Residences – reservations_mgr_AH@atlanticahotels.com For pro coaching groups, check with PGA Travel Partners.

Antalya Golf Club Attractive, all-inclusive rates for members and family.

For The Sirene Hotel contact: volkan.cavusoglu@sirene.com.tr For Kempinski The Dome Hotel contact: michael.jones@agc.com.tr

Slieve Russell Golf & Country Club 20% off B&B rates on www.slieverussell.ie For availability and prices email slieve.reservations@slieverussell.ie on or call +353 49 952 6444 quoting membership number.

Golf Academy

Chee Chan Golf Resort

Attractive rates for PGA Members to play Chee Chan Golf Resort in Pattaya, Thailand. Contact passakorn@cheechangolf.com for details.

Public liability Insurance Cover is included in your subscription fee. Contact membership@ pga.org.uk or call 01675 470 333 for your individual certificate. For any claims contact Howden on 0121 698 8050. Visit the dedicated PGA insurance site at: www.pgainsurance.co.uk

VAT Advice For VAT advice, call PGA Headquarters on 01675 470 333 or email robert.spencer-smith@pga.org.uk

Prostate Cancer UK An official charity of The PGA. Speak to a Specialist Nurse on 0800 074 8383* or visit www.prostatecanceruk.org The helpline is open Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Wed 7pm-9pm *Calls are recorded for training purposes only. Confidentiality is maintained between callers and Prostate Cancer UK.

For more detailed information and to take advantage of these and other fantastic deals, log into www.pga.info, select Member Benefits then click ‘Find out more’. *Only available to PGA Members in the UK. Terms and conditions apply to all benefits. See website for details. Offers subject to change without notice. †Pay directly in the hotel; flexible cancellation policy; valid only in low and mid-season; the discount can only be applied on the flexible rate and not on other rates or special offers.

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BENEFITS Coca Cola European Partners* Free cooler offer to PGA Members for their retail facilities.

To arrange delivery/installation, contact John Balchin on jbalchin@ccep.com.

Natural wellness solution Contact Andrew Green at Andrew.Green@therabodycorp.com to discuss working with Therabody and your requirements www.therabody.com/us/en-us/activities-golf.html

Hygiene Stations Please visit www.theup.co/dettol-pga to access exclusive PGA member promotions and order your own PGA x Dettol branded dispenser.

Reduce Energy Costs We can help identify the potential of roof or ground-mounted solar installations which can reduce energy costs by up to 40%. GreenClub will support with surveys, audits, planning and design and, subject to meeting required criteria, will fund the entire project. Visit www. greenclub.energy, email info@greenclub.energy or call 0800 999 1904.

IT Services* Free Members’ IT health check of your business; up to three months free managed IT services when taking out a contract with an option to leave within the first three months if you change your mind. For more information contact 0207 078 3795 quoting PGA.

XPOS Sales and Stock Management

Incentive Programme Incentive programme of up to £500 in commission when recommending customers to purchase an all-weather home putting green. Call 01730 829 608 or visit www.huxleygolf.com/pga

Retail management solution, used by professionals to reduce stock and improve profit. Quote PGAX01 to receive three months free XMAIL, the integrated customer email service. Contact on 01454 418 395 or via the CHAT button at www.crossovertec.co.uk

Award-winning Distiller* 15% discount available to all UK PGA Members on all Loch Lomond Expressions available to buy online.

Visit www.lochlomondwhiskies.com and enter the discount code PGA15 at checkout.

Sustainable Golf Products Exclusive 25% off pro-shop offer, buy three Shelf Ready Packaging (SRP) units for £120 (ex. VAT) and get one free. Each SRP contains 20 individual bamboo tee matchbox units, RRP £3.99/unit.

Contact rob.emerson@ilbrands.co.uk or 01372 236117.

T&Cs apply. Visit www.oceanteegolf.com

Vitamins, minerals and nutritional supplements Free pro-shop Sale-or-return starter pack offer with excellent profit margins. Contact stephen@tomolivernutrition.com for a starter pack and visit www.tomolivernutrition.com for 50% off own-use products with the code: PGAMEMBER

Rangefinder Savings SkyCaddie are delighted to offer PGA Members savings of up to £150 on their latest award winning family of GPS products. Call 01844 296360 or email sales@skycaddiegps.co.uk for more info.

Turf Maintenance Equipment Take advantage of a special offer on the Prostripe Rear Roller Mower for your clubhouse surroundings. For more product information, visit www.toro.com/prostripeuk. To place an order on this offer or learn more, share your contact details at pgamembers@toro.com

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Golf Carts Contact Kevin Hart at: kevin_hart@clubcar.com or call 07769 742612 to discuss your requirements. Members in Ireland can contact Liam Ross at The Buggyman at: liam@buggyman.net

Vehicle Leasing Offers* Exclusive contract hire rates on a selection of BMW and MINI models through BMW Group. Visit www.bmwpgasales.co.uk, call 0370 700 5215 or email mail@bmw-issd.co.uk

CBD products Cannaray CBD are offering PGA retailers a no-commitment, sale-or-return kit worth £560 free of charge. For more info visit www.cannaray.co.uk. To order, email sales@cannaray.co.uk

Card Payment Services* Preferential rates to PGA Members for accepting credit and debit cards. Call 0330 123 1241 quoting PGA.

Affiliate Bonus Become a SkyTrak Show Case Dealer and earn a bonus 40% affiliate fee on your first sale and 20% fee on any future sales. Call 01844 296360 or email sales@skycaddiegps.co.uk for more info.

Personalised Luggage PGA Members receive 20% off our luggage. To view the full range visit www.asbrigolf.co.uk/pga-members-luggage Contact sales@ asbri.co.uk or 02922 678 842 quoting membership number.

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THE BMW 4 SERIES CONVERTIBLE. ENJOY EVERY EDGE.

Innovative, outside and in. The new BMW 4 Series comes with a lightweight soft-top roof, making it sharp and agile with every turn. And teeming with technology as standard, it keeps you connected too.

If that wasn't enough, enjoy substantial savings when purchasing a new BMW, MINI or BMW Motorrad bike under the BMW Group PGA Affinity scheme. An exclusive service offering PGA members preferential rates across our entire range of vehicles.

Start your VIP experience today, speak to the BMW PGA Sales Team.

BMW GROUP PGA SALES 56 Park Lane London W1K 1QB 0370 700 5215 www.bmwpgasales.co.uk Fuel economy and CO2 results for the new BMW 4 Series Convertible range: Combined MPG (l/100km) 34.9–57.6 (8.1-4.9). CO2 emission (g/km) WLTP 184–129g/km.

Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO2 figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real-life driving

The Professional results,PGA which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. | #makinggolfhappen

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E M P LOY M E N T O P P O RT U N I T I E S

The Company Founded in 2000, BlueGolf is the industry-leading application service provider for golf. BlueGolf headquarters are located just outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA). BlueGolf delivers high-performance, high-end systems through our innovative, progressive, fast-moving technology. We are a small (<50 employee), profitable business and are strong believers in the power of the internet, mobile and social networks.

We develop exciting business and consumer-facing products for an industry that people are passionate about.

The Position We are looking for a highly motivated, sales-driven PGA member to work as an account executive in the United Kingdom. This individual will be responsible for developing new sales opportunities and providing customers with outstanding service. This exciting, fast-paced role will provide the individual with a territory to manage and grow. The ideal candidate is someone that is goal-oriented, ambitious, self-motivated, sales-driven, and passionate about golf. The Account Executive position is also part of a team that provides our customers with the support they need to use our systems. All support is provided by telephone and over the internet. Customer support includes implementation and training of new customers and providing ongoing telephone, email and chat support to existing customers.

Experience Required • Bachelor’s degree required • Sales role experience • Proven history of consistently achieving sales quotas • Experience with mid-high volume telephone prospecting • Excellent interpersonal, analytical, written, and presentation skills • Highly motivated, self-starter that can accomplish Essential Responsibilities goals with minimal supervision • Become an expert with the BlueGolf product.

• Creative and solution-oriented thinker • Apply knowledge of industry, products, and • Enthusiastic and passionate about growing sales prospects to develop efficient solutions and achieve • Computer software support experience sales objectives.

• Strong commitment to quality customer service • Implement the sales plan for assigned territory.

• Knowledge of the golf industry • Manage the entire sales cycle as the primary • Ability to multitask, prioritize, and manage time contact and advisor for prospective clients. effectively • Ability to work efficiently in a growing, fast-paced, • Identify new golf programs, golf clubs and other organizations that run golf tournaments through environment cold calls and referrals.

• Record and maintain detailed sales activity reports.

• Meet and exceed all targets and quotas.

• Resolve/troubleshoot incoming customer calls.

• Respond to customer support emails and chats.

• Ability to process customer questions, resolve issues, and provide same-day resolution.

• Assist with Special Projects as assigned by Management.

Compensation £15.00-£20.00 per hour plus additional bonus opportunity.

The Application Process Please send an email to job108@bluegolf.com with a resume attached and a cover letter in the body of the e-mail. Compensation history is required.

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E M P LOY M E N T O P P O RT U N I T I E S

GLFR is entering the UK market GLFR [golfer] is building the world’s greatest eco-system for golf courses and golf players.

GLFR is digitizing the golf course and offering golf courses: •

It’s own unique “club app”

•

The world’s greatest and most accurate interactive course guide

•

Today’s pin position and distances to pin in the app

•

Course, services and sponsor promotion, in app, web, signage and paper

•

Communication to the players

•

Marketing of great offers to tens of thousands of players

Join our team as our sales person in the UK We are looking for our first sales person to build the GLFR brand in the UK. If you would love to sell unique software services to golf courses in the UK, and you are self-driven and ambitious - here’s the chance of building a brand and a business in the UK. You can find more information about the job here: https://www.glfr.com/jobs/#sales-rep We look forward to presenting the GLFR concept to the UK market, and we hope to hear from you, if you are the right person for building this new golf service in the UK. If you have questions or enquiries about GLFR, please contact our CEO Hans Henrik Junge at hhj@glfr.com

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E M P LOY M E N T O P P O RT U N I T I E S Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club Excellent opportunity for a PGA Assistant/ Trainee to join a dedicated team of Professionals at a prestigious top 100 Sussex Golf Club. Successful candidate will need to be hard working and enthusiastic in all aspects of the role, have a track record of delivering 5* customer service and show high level of attention to detail.

Position offers superb coaching opportunity with thriving Men’s and Ladies sections, busy, active Junior and cademy members. Shift pattern will allow for ample time of coaching.

Apply to timcowley@royalashdown.co.uk

Training Applicant / Registered Assistant This is a great opportunity to work at a busy private members club that is ranked in the top 50 courses in Britain and regularly hosts major events. The applicant must be, enthusiastic, positive, friendly and outgoing, an effective team member, have an interest in merchandising and enjoy providing an excellent level of customer service to members and numerous visiting parties.

You will gain experience in the running of a successful, busy pro shop and time will be available to play and practice at our excellent facilities.

C.V. and cover letter to: john.green@foremostgolf.com

Durham City Golf Club Home of The County Durham Golf Union Qualified PGA Professional or Final Year Trainee required at County Durham's most popular course.

The successful candidate will work closely with AAT Head Professional Tom Cranfield in a very active Coaching Role. Main focuses include developing the Club's successful Junior Academy, Extensive outreach to beginner golfers, Custom Fitting in a state-of-the-art Swing Studio, Working with local disability groups and Member Retention through targeted coaching. Average of 35 Hours Shop work required.

The successful candidate will enjoy regular staff training and professional development along with fair and organised diaries.

Please contact Tom Cranfield - glga@hotmail.co.uk

We are looking for a PGA Coaching Professional to offer coaching at our indoor golf facility in Bristol. inPlay Golf has five golf simulators available for general hire and a dedicated coaching & custom fitting bay. Previous coaching and custom club fitting experience essential. This role also includes the hosting of individuals and groups for general practice & social play. This is a salaried position working five days a week over a seven-day rota with 28 days paid holiday and parking provided. To apply send your CV to paul@ipgolf.co.uk (Paul Barrington 07818 001 606) www.inplaygolf.co.uk

Supporting the relationship between PGA Professionals and the golf industry Tandridge Golf Club, Surrey Head Assistant Professional A newly qualified PGA member is required to take over the Head Assistant Professionals role at this prestigious Private Members club on the Kent/Surrey Border. Tandridge is top 100 Harry Colt designed course and has a thriving membership with a waiting list in operation. Our practice facilities are extensive and now boast a seven bay covered range plus Trackman studio.

The successful candidate will engage in all aspects of club life including retail development, Trackman assisted coaching and fitting, Members coaching tours and representing the club, playing in Pro-Am's and other PGA events. A desire to work hard is essential and this will be rewarded with a superb remuneration package.

Applications should be sent by email to Chris Evans, PGA Advanced Professional at tandridgeprofessional@gmail.com 60

The PGA offers a free, bespoke service designed to assist you through the recruitment process to ensure you get the right PGA Professional for your facility.

The PGA has helped more than 150 golf clubs with their recruitment needs in the past two years by: Identifying roles and responsibilities Assisting with writing the initial advertisement Advice on interviewing Guidance around remuneration Developing service level agreements / contracts Mediation and ongoing support For more information contact Jessica Harrsion on 01675 470 333 or at: recruitment@pga.org.uk

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E M P LOY M E N T O P P O RT U N I T I E S

Reigate Heath Golf Club Assistant Professional required. An opportunity to develop playing, professional, coaching and operational skills at one of the friendliest clubs in the UK. You will be a popular figure, helping members and visitors enjoy their daily experience. In training or ready to start preferred. Please send your interest to Cliff Proshop@reigateheathgc.com High Legh Park Golf Club (americangolf) PGA Professional/ 2nd, 3rd year trainee required to deliver junior group tuition at Rossendale Driving Range on the following times/days.

Applicants must be DBS checked and hold a child protection workshop certificate.

Saturday 9.00am – 12pm Sunday AM 9.30am – 12.30pm Monday PM 6.00pm – 8.00pm Rossendale Driving Range https://www.americangolf.co.uk/driving-range/rossendale.html Mypro Golf St Andrews, Fife We’re delighted to offer a seasonal coaching role at Mypro Golf, St Andrews. Applicants should be fully qualified PGA instructors and enjoy working with engaged and motivated junior golfers. For full details visit: https://www.mypro.golf/seasonal-coaching-position Please send applications to: patrick@mypro.golf Wentworth Club Pro Shop Assistant – Full-time, permanent, 40 hours, attractive salary.

We’re seeking a passionate golfer and knowledgeable retail professional to join our team as the Golf Pro Shop Assistant. To learn more about this unique position or apply, email careers@wentworthclub.com Windmill Golf & Leisure, Bristol Be part of a dynamic & vibrant team offering superb earning potential!

We are an established 20 bay floodlit range including retail & leisure activities with a brand-new shop, clubhouse & gym under construction!

PGA qualified / registered trainee required applications: manager@windmillleisure.co.uk Golf in Progress PGA qualified, trainee and/ or aspiring trainee required at busy indoor facility. Join the team or self-employed role available for coaching. 3 Flightscope bays onsite, plenty of earning potential at busy facility.

Contact info@golfinprogress.co.uk for details.

Tidworth Garrison Golf Club Retail / assistant professional / professional required at Tidworth Garrison Golf Club.

Fantastic opportunity for a motivated candidate with strong communication skills to join a vibrant professional team providing first class customer service. Excellent training and coaching opportunities at a busy members club. Send CV and covering letter to markboscott@hotmail.com Kingswood Golf Centre Looking for a self-motivated PGA qualified professional and trainee professional. The role includes retail, coaching and custom fittings. A flexible rota system will offer anyone a great opportunity to further your career. Please send a CV and Cover Letter to chris.mann@foremostgolf.com

Hartswood golf course Trainee required. An opportunity to be a member of our fantastic team. Applicant must be motivated and enthusiastic. General work such as shop sales, green fees and our online store. For more info please contact, Orders@discountgolfstore.co.uk or 01277 218714 AFGolfStore We are seeking a passionate coach. Great earning potential and benefits with a long-term view of coach development within a driven team. Social media, marketing and advertising all done for you along with daily support from the head of academy. OTE £35K+ Benefits, holiday, pension plus more. Email: alan@afgolfstore.co.uk Worthing Golf Club Trainee/ qualified professional required at Worthing GC, a dynamic club with 2 18-hole courses, driving range, fitting studio, vibrant shop.

Tremendous earning potential for the right candidate who is driven, personable & a team player. Position to commence early January.

Please e-mail michaelhenning59@gmail.com All enquiries dealt with in complete confidence.

ClubFourteen Indoor golf studio in London/ Surrey looking for a teaching professional to base their coaching on site. Studio has 90+ members and links with golf course facilities.

Please email CV and covering letter to andylittlegolfpro@me.com Walsall Golf Club Fantastic opportunity for an individual with strong coaching & retail skills to join a vibrant professional team at a busy private members club. The role involves 35 retail hours per week & the opportunity to grow the junior academy & personal coaching business. Send CV & covering letter to pro@danhiggsgolfcoach.com

INTERNATIONAL Lowe Golf Academy, Holland We are a busy members club in Axel, Zeeland, NL. An excellent opportunity to develop retail, club fittings and coaching. Selfmotivated with a warm personality has plenty of earning potential for the right candidate. Please send CV to Head Pro, Matthew Lowe at Lowegolfacademy@gmail.com. Contact (0032)474198857 for more info.

Prosports International An opportunity has arisen to join the team at Prosports International, based in Dubai. Candidates must be versatile and passionate about their golf career and retail operations. Custom fitting experience would be a significant advantage.

Please send CV to stuart@prosports.ae and paul@prosports.ae Al Hamra Golf Club, Troon Al Hamra Golf Club, United Arab Emirates An exciting career opportunity for a PGA qualified teaching professional at this beautiful course in the United Arab Emirates. The successful candidate will be presented with plenty of career growth within the world of Troon, please send CV to pbooth@troon.com

For more information, please contact recruitment@pga.org.uk The PGA Professional

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M E M B E R S I N T H E S P OT L I G H T

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR CAREER PATHWAY? I turned professional in 2013 and completed my PGA Foundation Degree via the distance online learning in 2016.

As a trainee I was based at the fabulous Reigate Heath Golf Club, Surrey with guidance from head professional Clifford Gough.

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN? It is the collection of these different pieces that has led me to where I am today. One piece that does stick in my mind is actually from my dad. He has always said to me ‘no matter how bad the situation might seem it can always be turned into gold with the right attitude and lots hard work’.

Another piece is from David Leadbetter himself. All the Leadbetter certifications are built upon his mantra of ‘those who dare to teach must never cease to learn’.

This has definitely shown me that I must keep upping my knowledge, to never settle and become stagnant in my position.

Finally, this is not so much a direct piece of advice but a realisation when watching a virtual seminar with Dr Martin Toms and Gavin Grenville-Wood when discussing young coaches in sport. Dr Martin Toms explained it is pretty much impossible to be an expert in all areas of your chosen sport and you have to look at yourself as a person and decide where your personality and strengths are going to be best suited in order to find your niche.

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT ROLE? I am based at Bletchingley Golf Club, Redhill, Surrey as a full-time coach specialising in junior coaching from ages two and above. I have my own company, Pea Wea Golf, which is specifically for ages 2-4 years old.

In addition, I coach juniors from ages 5 to 18 via my Leadbetter Kids Programme.

During the first lockdown I was approached

by Gavin Grenville-Wood, Head of Leadbetter Kids education, and given this wonderful opportunity to complete my Leadbetter Kids certification and to then, with his help, set up a main Leadbetter Kids academy at Bletchingley Golf Club. In just over a year I had over 45 juniors enrolled on my programme and more Leah Roelich is based at Bletchingley Golf than 80 juniors participating in various junior holiday camps and Club and works as the Lead Surrey County WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD activities that I run throughout Coach for the under-15s girls’ squad. Leah GIVE? the year.

I still regard myself in the early In January 2021 I had the helps develop the best young talent in stages of my coaching journey good fortune of being awarded the Surrey area and, having become a and feel my pathway will the first ever Leadbetter Kids certified Leadbetter Kids coach, she was constantly expand and change, Instructor of the year award over which isn’t necessarily a bad a virtual Zoom summit due to named the first ever David Leadbetter thing and should be embraced.

COVID-19. Ordinarily this summit Kids Golf ‘Coach of the Year’.

In my view change is good as it is hosted in Orlando annually keeps you moving forward and and fingers crossed this January coaching. I love his style which definitely developing as a coach and 2022 I can get out to the states resonates with how I like to coach. Getting person. and meet David in the flesh and not over a to know the person beyond the swing!

It is also OK to aim big and fail along screen!

More recently a big influence has been the way. As for each time you fail you Gavin Grenville-Wood as my mentor. He learn that little bit more contributing to WHAT/WHO HAVE BEEN YOUR is such a nice guy and has helped me the bigger picture. No idea is ever too big, CAREER INFLUENCES? immensely when setting up my venture at too small or too ridiculous and in my case My passion for coaching juniors was Bletchingley. Coupled with Gavin, I have to the more ridiculous has turned out to be ignited when working at my first pro-shop mention Steve Furlonger (PGA Professional) the best! job aged 17 at Hele Park Golf Centre, who runs the Bletchingley Coaching Devon. My boss, PGA Professional Duncan Academy for allowing me to be part of the WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU Arnold, encouraged me to help out on a team and establish myself there. Steve has WISH YOU HAD KNOWN NOW? Saturday morning with the juniors which been a huge help by backing my ideas and I don’t like to procrastinate over negative lead on to me gaining my PGA level one views on where the junior games need to experiences and try to avoid being the coaching in 2010. Since qualifying as a go. Aside from coaching he has also helped ‘should have, would have or could have’ PGA Professional I have been inspired me with my own game via the use of his person. You can not change what has by several people and coaches including force plates and long driving knowledge happened and can only learn from that David Leadbetter, long before being which has increased my own driving experience and draw upon what is needed involved with Leadbetter Kids. I have distance off the tee! to map out the next step always admired his enthusiasm for

COACHING FUTURE STARS

62

October 2021

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