New head pro at Hickleton ‘learned from the very best’

By Chris Stratford

When Luke Allen decided to “roll the dice” and leave his job as a coach at the worldrenowned Peter Cowen Golf Academy, the number came up for the members of Hickleton as well as him.

The former Lindrick assistant landed his first post as a head professional at the Doncaster club, bringing a wealth of energy and experience to the role that he hopes will help elevate it to a position as one of the county’s “premium-end” products.

The 33-year-old, who at 17 was already an assistant at Kilton Forest, stayed for 10 years under the wing of John King at Lindrick before spending four years as one of Pete Cowen’s coaches at his academy in Rotherham.

Now he is at the head of the Hickleton helm, enthused by the thought of using knowledge gained under King and Cowen to help the team improve all aspects of life on Lidget Lane.

“I would say John is probably one of the best club pros in the country and you couldn’t really work for anyone better - and at a prestigious golf club like Lindrick too,” says Allen.

“In the four years I was with Pete’s academy, I was mentored by Nick Huby, who had been working for Pete for 17 years, and I also got mentored by Pete, so – for me – I’d got the best coaches on the planet mentoring me having had one of the best club pros in the country in John mentoring me.”

Working at the academy helped sate Allen’s appetite for coaching, but he missed immersing himself in the daily management of a golf club. He was also struggling to find the life balance that would enable him to spend more time with his daughter Matilda as she approaches her sixth birthday.

“There was also a part of me that felt I had a skill set that I wasn’t using and I felt if I didn’t use it I was probably going to lose it,” adds Allen, who for years has been one of the pivotal administrators underpinning the hugely successful Yorkshire Challenge and Heathland Classic pairs events.

“I loved the coaching side and being mentored by Pete and Nick and it was a tough decision. ‘Do I move or do I stay?’and sometimes you’ve just got to roll the dice.”

He has replaced Ashley Lerigo, now general manager at Rotherham, having been impressed by Hickleton’s plans for development.

“I knew some of the members here, I’d coached quite a few in the past, and I’d played here quite a bit. It’s an unbelievable summer course, as good as any you’ll play.

“We have an outgoing member- ship, very vibrant, it’s good socially, and they all get involved. The competitions are well supported.

“We’re getting a separate teaching bay, and have three or four projects going forward that will develop the coaching facilities, the short game area. We’re also improving the bar and kitchen.”

Allen has also implemented a monthly free teaching clinic for members, with the aid of his assistant Max Whittaker, teaching pro and short game specialist Jak Lee, and mind factor performance coach Oliver Whittaker.

“My strapline for Hickleton is ‘the most inclusive golf club in Yorkshire’because it is. People who come here will feel welcome, they’ll not feel out of place. The clubhouse is open to visitors, you can come in and just use the restaurant, you can come in and have just Sunday lunch, you can come in and have a pint. That’s the USPfor Hickleton.”

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