Category: EGTF Teacher Profile

EGTF Teacher Profile this content appears within the online newsletter to the general public

William Mckenzie (Updated 2016)

Back in 2011, we profiled EGTF Master Professional, William McKenzie. This is an update on what he has been doing since then.

Willie Mckenzie2 (400x300)

Where are you Teaching now?
When I qualified as a Teaching Pro in 2005 I was working as the Manager at Berryhill Driving Range, Peterhead in North East Scotland.  I started teaching, doing a few lessons and steadily built up a client base to keep me busy and worked hard on building my reputation and learning my trade as a golf coach.  I worked at the range until 2013 when I decided to leave and start my own business and started up my own company WLMgolf.  I teach now at Berryhill Driving Range, Myrus Golf Centre in Macduff and Fraserburgh Golf Club.  I now teach 7 days a week dividing my time between the 3 golf facilities.  I also offer an online swing analysis service via my website at WLMgolf.com

Have you completed any additional Courses?
I passed my Diploma course in 2005 and I then completed my Masters Course in 2006.  I have qualified as a Certified Putting Instructor with Eyeline Golf.   I have plans to attend additional courses in 2016 to help increase my knowledge so I can teach other aspects of the game.

Who do you Teach?
I teach a wide variety of golfers from beginners to Tour Professionals, men, ladies, juniors of all ages.  I take great pride in helping all my students improve, from weekend warriors trying to break 100, to County players getting to the standard required to make it on to the team.  To date I have taught more than 30 individual club champions at various clubs in all categories.  One thing I’m proud of was a local ladies club championship quarter final match play.  I was teaching 7 of the 8 players and the eventual winner and runner up.  Also helping a future County player reduce his handicap from 3.1 to +2.1 and helping him to get picked for the first time.

Do you specialise in any areas of the Game?
I  teach all parts of the game from driving through to putting.  I like to work with different players on whichever part of their game needs improving be it driving, helping them find the fairways or long irons to high towering mid irons stopping quickly on the green, to chipping, pitching or improving their bunker play.  As a Putting Instructor, one day I have thoughts to specialise in this but at the moment I enjoy helping with all parts of the game, so will see how it all works out.

What are your biggest changes since 2005?
Without a doubt the biggest changes in the golf industry since I qualified as a Teaching Professional is technology, There is a whole new world of convenience and opportunity for any Teaching Professional to learn from the volume of information available on the Internet.  There is a wide array of launch monitors to provide swing data now, to help diagnose all the key elements in the golf swing.  My only concern as we embrace all the technology available is that the art of teaching is lost in a world of numbers searching for the perfect swing.

What are your plans for the future?
Keep learning, keep enjoying my profession.  I can say the last 10 years as a member of the EGTF have been the best years of my working life.  I still have the enthusiasm of a teenager. I get up every morning looking forward to the day ahead to help all my students / golfers improve their ability to play this great game.  I have always had a thought to  teach in the sunshine as it’s sadly lacking here in Fraserburgh, so if any golf resorts in the sunshine are looking for a good instructor give me a shout.

Willie Mckenzie EGTF Master Teaching Professional – WLMgolf.com

Willie Mckenzie (400x533)

Loretta Christey-Clover

My name is Loretta Christey-Clover, joint owner and director of the Christey-Clover Golf Academy, a limited company which specialises in the tuition of golf at schools. I am also a current final year undergraduate, studying for a BSc (Hons) degree in “Computing and IT with Mathematics” through the Open University.

I have seen first-hand through my years of golf teaching the confidence that pupils can grow by acquiring new skills, with every student bringing something individual that can be nurtured and redirected into productive learning. It is the sense of satisfaction that comes from unearthing or enhancing a student’s potential which makes me relish my job. “Computing and IT with Mathematics” offers challenges that compliment my passionate work ethic and this was a contributing factor when choosing to use my new degree to become a full time teacher. Outside of the degree I continue to develop my golf teaching by studying new techniques emerging from the golf world. Some of my existing clients include Port Regis Prep School, Hazlegrove Prep School, Perrott Hill School, Henstridge Golf Club and Trent Young’s Endowed Primary School.

Prior to the establishment of the Christey-Clover Golf Academy, I worked in industry, with an emphasis on software security and gas analysis throughout Europe, the USA and the UK. I worked predominantly in the roles of Engineering Sales and Marketing, managing and working with teams across the globe and have over 15 years’ experience in these markets.

Clients know me as a highly motivated educator who can always be trusted to find a positive aspect of a student’s ability to build upon. My aim is always to tailor the lessons to the students and offer new approaches and ideas that will inspire continued progression. I believe that learning comes with enjoyment and try to make lessons as engaging as possible. I also believe that sport is vital for the health and wellbeing of students and would encourage all students to take up sport.

I currently teach two programming hobby groups for prep school students in preparation for what I hope will be a future expansion of my teaching career.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Where do you work?

The Christey-Clover Academy runs across the South West of England mainly covering Dorset, Somerset & Wiltshire. www.ccga.co.uk

Where do you play golf?

I enjoy visiting golf courses across the South West region in order to make positive connections for future business development and see what other Pro’s are offering.

What is the best thing about being a Teaching Professional?

The satisfaction you get when you see the smile light up a pupil’s face after they hit the golf ball better than they ever have before, it’s priceless.

What is the worst thing about being a Teaching Professional?

Teaching those rugged pupils who want a lesson in the wind and rain when the temperature is near freezing!

What do you consider is the most important lesson you could give someone and why?

I believe that the more laughter each lesson contains, the more relaxed each student feels and the better they hit the ball. So ‘soft hands and good rhythm’ is vital to good play.

What is your favourite drill and why?

Too many to choose from but tempo based drills for the full swing and distance control drills for putting.

Who is your favourite player and why?

Michelle Wie, an educated business woman as well as a high calibre golfer. She looks to her future potential as well as her current achievements. A true inspiration.

Who would be in your ideal fourball and why?

Seve Ballesteros – A true legend of the game and an enormous heart, Alan Turing – The chance to converse in depth about code breaking & Bilbo Baggins – Great story teller and a good banterer.

Which is the best course you have played and why?

Troon, Scotland. Just a fabulous setting with beautiful views and amazing golf holes… Even the sun shone and the rain held!

What is your best and worst experience you have had in golf?

Best – A Hole in One during the club championship when I was Lady Captain! Worst – Being hit in the kneecap with a PW  by an over zealous student.

Why did you become a teaching professional?

I believe that you get the best out of life by striving to better yourself. Becoming a teaching professional was a challenge, but one that I felt would provide many rewards. I enjoy my job tremendously and thank you EGTF for the opportunities you provide to individuals like myself.

What is the best tip you could give a junior golfer?

Work on your chipping & putting as much as possible and drag your friends along for a game.

What’s in the bag?

10deg Big Bertha Driver, Taylor Made SLDR 3 & 5 wood, Taylor Made Hybrid, Ping i Irons 5-sw and Ping i series Putter.

Loretta CC 4 (640x408)

Loretta CC CCGA at Milton Abbey 36 - copia (2) (480x640)
Loretta CC 6 (640x546)
Loretta CC 5 (640x480)

Stuart Gavaghan

 

I started playing golf aged 7, but I had been around golf since the age of 3 as my father was on the Committee at our club.  I was Junior Captain and played under 21’s for Surrey County Golf Union.  I won three County titles including Surrey Championship at Croham Hurst 36 hole event.  After that win, golf would become my career, but I waited until I had some savings.  I wanted to start abroad and called an Advert in PGA Profile, an Assistant needed in Germany.  I went for an interview and started immediately.  I found it was only Teaching Pro’s they wanted and I would soon be teaching every day from March-October.  So this was when I became a Golf Teacher in 1989-90.

Stuart Gavaghan 2 (1024x743) (640x464)

Where do you work?

A Golf Centre in Germany (Dusseldorf area) as Head Coach and also Manager of the Range and Short Course.   A famous German Tennis player owns it and it also has 6 indoor Tennis courts.

Where do you play golf?

I play at Rittergut Birkhof where I also work 2 x per week since 1997.

What is the best thing about being a Teaching Professional?

Helping all kinds of people from all jobs or unemployed, so that golf keeps them occupied and out in the fresh air making good use of their free time.

What is the worst thing about being a Teaching Professional?

The long Winter or leaving family and friends when heading out to Germany for sometimes 10 hard months’ solid teaching, is hard to get used to.

How many lessons do you do in the Summer and the Winter?

No lessons in the Winter but the Summer varies 30+ per week.

What do you consider is the most important lesson you could give someone and why?

Start with good posture.  Learning how to stand correctly will avoid any injuries to the spine, knees and hips.

What is your favourite drill and why?

Simply the goalkeeper drill.  Stand like one for good posture.

Who is your favourite player and why?

Favourite player of modern times is Rory McIlroy because he has a good golf swing and short game.

Who would be your favourite fourball and why?

Ideal 4 ball would be me, Rory McIlroy, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, because of the mixture of all ages and different golf swings to learn off of.

Which is the best course you have played and why?

The Victoria Club in The Algarve for the sun in the Winter and the layout of big lakes and perfect fairways with fast greens.  It also has a very relaxed Club House.

What is your best and worst experience you have had in golf?

The best experience in golf was winning three under 21 Surrey County Championships one after the other.  I also played rounds with the longest hole in one record holder, Peter Lovesey.  I met Tony Jacklin for an hour’s talk one-to-one at San Roque Golf Club in 1990.

The worst experience was playing Winter golf in the UK on muddy, wet and sometimes freezing conditions.

Why did you become a Teaching Professional?

I became a Teaching Professional because I enjoyed it.

What is the best tip you could give a junior golfer?

A junior golfer should always take a lesson or more with an EGTF Teaching Professional, because of the simplified and fun approach to teaching.

What’s in the bag?

I have a contract with Callaway that keeps me up to date with their irons and woods.

Stuart Gavaghan 1 (735x1024) (459x640)

Garry Corkish

Amateur golf career was BB&O player, playing off 1.4, member of Frilford Heath in Oxfordshire.

Ex RAF military free fall instructor completed over 3,000 free fall descents mostly from c130 Hercules worked mostly with SBS, SAS, and pathfinders from 2 para plus delta force from USA. RAF in 1989.

I have been teaching on the Costa del Sol since 2001.  I’m married to wife Yvonne who plays off 12 hc, have son Stuart 15 hc aged 32, and daughter Jo who is also an EGTF qualified ex England player.

I am age 57 but feel like 77 as had back op in 1999 to fuse L4 And L5 and osteoarthritis of left knee, but still manage to skid it around at level or a couple under in the weekly local Pro event here in Marbella.

 Garry Corkish 1

Where do you work?

Atalaya Golf Academy Spain on the Costa del Sol, not far from Marbella.

Where do you play golf? 

Mostly Atalaya , El Higueral and the Marbella golf resort.

What is the best thing about being a Teaching Professional?

Seeing someone’s face when they discover success with their golf after being frustrated on the golf course !  And the fact that you can never be too old to teach golf.

What is the worst thing about being a Teaching Professional?

Never receiving any shots !!

How many lessons do you do in the Summer and the Winter?

Average number of lessons throughout the year per week is approximately 5 pw but playing lessons are now becoming more popular.

What do you consider is the most important lesson you could give someone and why?

9 hole playing lesson – as you see everything a golfer does and think while playing.  In theatre is the best place for someone to learn.  Mat or range lesson is still good for beginners or basic swing mechanics but on the course is without doubt the most effective and quickest way to take shots off a player’s score.

What is your favourite drill and why?

L to L drill with a short iron as this gives a variety of solutions; balance, control, removes the urge to hit the ball hard, wrist hinge, and active use of the hands.

Who is your favourite player and why?

Of all time, Ben Hogan for his pure determination to succeed.  Currently Justin Rose for his attitude on and off the golf course.  He handled his latest win, US Open with grace and balance, mentally and physically.

Who would be your favourite fourball and why? 

Ideal 4 ball would be Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus  and Seve Ballesteros.  Hogan for his pure swing, Jack for his ability to focus and concentrate, Seve for his imagination and short game ability.

Which is the best course your have played and why?

St. Andrews old course, for the history, but mostly because it is so well balanced as an 18 hole test.   The first time you play it you think what’s all the fuss about !  Then after a few rounds you then begin to see a strategy that needs to be applied to achieve success.  It starts with a pretty easy par 4 then depending on the tide, it’s a steady increase in difficulty until you turn after 9 with good birdie chances and a real tough finish from 15.  Great course. 

Garry Corkish 3

What is your best and worst experience you have had in golf?

Two best experiences in golf for me which are of equal pleasure:

1. Watching my daughter shoot 4 under in the South African Amateur Open and then get selected for the England elite under 18 squad.  In the field was the current GB and Ireland Curtis Cup squad 18 players and she blew most of them away in the stroke play comp.

2. Was shooting 7 under 66 at Penina off the white tees back in 2006 while playing in a friendly match. 

Worst moment was when my daughter Jo got hit in the right eye by a ball in the junior County foursomes while I was playing in the Burford foursomes Pro Am and she lost 90% vision in her right eye.  She got selected for England after this accident which made the best experience (above) more important !

Why did you become a Teaching Professional?

Passion was always in golf.  When I was an IFA in the UK, I only got involved in this job to fund my golf, so when the company folded I decided to join the golf professional ranks.

Note :- I did try to join the PGA back in 1991 and had a position lined up at Castle Coombe, but PGA Regional Director Nigel Blenkarne phoned me up and informed me I was three months too old to become a member !!! You had to be under 35 to be a PGA member, what a farce !! Since then a couple of guys took the PGA to court and European ruling found it was deemed to be age discrimination and now its all changed !

What is the best tip you could give a junior golfer?

Always have fun when you play or you will walk away from the game later on.  When you learn, start at the hole and work backwards so the last thing you learn is the tee shot or driver.  This worked very well with my daughter and the Swedish Golf  Foundation were pretty good at this strategy back in the 90’s.

What’s in the bag?

Ping i20 driver project x 5.5 graphite 
Taylor made rbz 15 deg fairway wood reg shaft graphite
Ping i20 hybrid rescue club project x 5.5 graphite
Calloway 1 iron steel reg shaft
Ping i20 irons CFS steel shaft 
Ping anser wedges 50, 54, 58
Odyssey two ball black ice centre shafted putter with 370g head weight plus 4 strips of lead behind face 
Ball is new Calloway tour I hex chrome great ball ! Only just changed from 15 years of prov1 golf

Garry Corkish 2

David Fluke

 

I am currently the Head Professional at Hill Barn Golf Club, Worthing, West Sussex and also teach part time out of Avisford Park Golf Club, West Sussex. My roles with both clubs are purely to supply the teaching arm to members, guests and visitors. My company is called South Coast Golf.

I am also the Director of the South Coast Golf Tour – a golf tour aimed at business and corporate clients who actively use the golf course to entertain and win new business.

We are in our third year of trading; our last event at Crowborough Beacon Golf Club in April attracted over 60 players.

It’s been incredibly hard work to get to where we are now, through sponsorship and bums on seats the business is now making a profit. As a direct result of the tour (which was always my intention) I have increased my lesson bookings with clients I would or may never have had the chance to meet.

David Fluke Hill Barn Pro Portrait

What is the best thing about being a Teaching Professional?

Helping my clients and pupils to achieve and succeed their golfing goals.

What is the worst thing about being a Teaching Professional?

English winter seasons

How many lessons do you do in the Summer and Winter?

I teach on average – 25 lessons a week in Winter and 45 lessons a week in Summer

What do you consider is the most important lesson you could give someone and why? 

Focus on your short game – the key to reducing your scores is by getting the ball “up and down” more often.

What is your favourite drill and why?

I personally like the “presetting the wrist drill” – I like the feeling of just turning my shoulders to completion and the club is set on plain and on line.  It feels a solid position before I start my down swing.

Who is your favourite player and why?

I have a lot of respect for Phil Mickelson. I enjoy watching him play aggressive golf but I also like the way he conducts himself on and off the course. You can see why he is very popular all around the world.

Who would be your ideal fourball and why?

Dream fourball – Phil Mickelson and I take on Tiger and Rory.  That wouldn’t be a bad match to play in.

Which is the best Course you have played and why?

I really enjoy the Majlis course at the Emirates in Dubai.  It’s a real tough test of the backs with lightening quick greens. Every hole is different to the next. The location being surrounded by skyscrapers adds to the unique feeling you can only get from being in Dubai.

What is the best and worst experience you have had in golf?

Worst experience – being stuck out on Rockwood golf course when this storm came in.  How to this day we weren’t hit I have no idea?  The fork lightning was hitting the ground only a few metres away!

Best Experience – For fulfilling my dream to become a teaching professional.

Why did you become a Teaching Professional?

I love the game of golf. I am also a student of the game. I realized several years ago that I had a good understanding of the golf swing and I was able to communicate with people with a simple to understand approach. To earn a living from doing something I love gives me a reason to jump out of bed every morning.

What is the best tip you could give a junior golfer? 

Best tip for junior – expect some bad days and enjoy the good days.

What’s in the bag?

I have a deal with Benross Golf to use and sell their clubs.  In my bag I have:

Benross RIP Driver 10oC Aldila’s lightweight RIP PHENOM stiff
Benross RIP 3 Wood 15oC Aldila’s lightweight RIP PHENOM stiff
Benross RIP Speed Hybrid 20oC Aldila’s lightweight RIP PHENOM stiff
4 – PW Hot Speed Irons R300 shafts (Very forgiving clubs)
52oC, 56oC & 60oC Lazer milled ZIP IT wedges – Old model
Benross Putter – MOI Baccarat
Titleist PROV1 balls

If any EGTF Pro is out their selling golf equipment, I strongly advise you to book an appointment with the Benross Rep.  The new product range look great and play great but most importantly they have 36% sales margin on the RRP.

Michael Cernohuby

Already from my childhood I’ve felt sport is my destiny.  I was playing icehockey and tennis at top level for quite a long time.  I stopped when I had finished University and continued playing just for fun.  I started to play golf quite late, when I was 33.  In former Czechoslovakia it was almost impossible to be active in this beautiful game.  My time came after changes in 1989.

In 1991 I took a golf club in my hands for the first time.  It was in the days when we had only 1500 golf players and some 7 golf courses in the Czech Republic.  Today we have 65,000 players and some 70 golf courses!!  The first year I spent 5 – 6 days a week, 3 – 4 hours a day on the driving range and was lucky I met a very good golf teacher.  In fact I have to say I spent all my free time on golf.  When I got some good results and thought about further steps, a car accident stopped me for two years in 1999.  From that time I couldn’t play as much as I had wished.  I was practising and playing less but still spent a lot of time in resorts, watching others play and talking to ‘golf’ people. 

In 2005 I passed some courses to become a ‘Golf Teaching Assistant’.  In 2007 they were opening a new, beautiful golf resort in Kuneticka Hora (designed by Graham Marsh) and my friend was responsible for kickstarting it.  He asked me if I could try to bring some good golf coaches and establish the Golf Academy.  I didn’t hesitate for a second, finished my consultancy business and brought Simon Holmes to the Czech Republic.  I helped him to establish his Golf Academy in Kuneticka Hora and stayed there as the Manager for one year.  I have been working with Simon for three years and thanks to him I have discovered the fantastic Arcos Gardens Resort in Spain where you can meet and see a lot of Tour players practising, or English and Swedish National squads.  All the time I’ve spent there was not only great but also very interesting and important.  To find friends like Joakim Haeggman or Freddy Andersson-Hed and have the possibility to talk to them, watch them practice and play with them is a gift which you don’t find every day.  Particularly the time I’ve spent with Joakim in Arcos has helped me to get a lot of knowledge about golf at top level.

In 2010 I met Clive Tucker, working with him for some time and I organised for him to become Head Pro in a new golf resort in Prague (Black Bridge Golf Resort).  Clive helped me to understand a lot of golf technical details.  But I was still looking for a teaching system which could suit most of my clients.  80% of my clients play golf twice a week because they don’t have more time, and I discovered the EGTF with the possibility to pass their golf teaching diploma course which I completed in February 2012.  During the course in Spain I met Bill Abbott and Paul Tolley and realised I had found exactly what I was looking for.  Simple teaching methods, top Professionals and great people.  I have appreciated what and how they taught us and particularly they gave us a lot of arguments as to why this or this method works.

I’m happy I could become a member of the EGTF family and now I’m working as an independent golf teacher at four different places (2 Resorts and 2 Driving Ranges).  I coach a few single handicap players and a couple of scratch ones, but I feel my most important role is to help to establish golf as a game, sport, fun and life philosophy, also in smaller cities and particularly to kids.  So, Bill and Paul, once again thanks a lot, you have helped me to understand so much.

    

Why did you become a golf teaching professional?

It’s simple, I love it and I’m happy I could put together my hobby and profession.

Where do you work?

Right now I’m working at four different places.  Two Golf Resorts (Golf Karlstejn and Golf Botanica) which are both close to my house.  Two Driving Ranges (Prague and Jicin).  During the winter season I work in two different indoor facilities.

Where do you play golf?

When I find some free time I usually play Karlstejn Golf Course which is one of the most beautiful in the Czech Republic and quite challenging.

What is the best thing about being a golf teaching professional?

I think to have my office under the sky with fresh air and shower.  I love and appreciate to communicate with people and help them to be better in their activity, which means for most of them to have fun and relax.  I think it’s a great feeling if you can try to help people to solve also their other difficulties brought on by daily life.  I’m sure golf was born exactly for this reason.

What is the worst thing about being a golf teaching professional?

I had to think quite a long time to find something.  Probably when you can’t find a communicating connection.  Thank God it happens very rarely.

How many lessons do you give in the Summer and the Winter?

In the Summer between 100 and 120 hours and Winter between 60 and 70 hours per month, but I do a lot of travelling during the Summer.

What do you consider is the most important lesson you could give someone and why?

I think it’s not the technical but mental one.  I always tell people when they go on a golf course or play a tournament – “you don’t have to play, it’s fun, just go and play”.

What is your favourite drill and why?

My favourite drill is the one I got from a Coach of one of the top Tour players.  It’s simple, works for everyone and helps to avoid more basic troubles.  You don’t even need a golf club and you can do it anywhere.  Stay in the basic golf posture against the wall and lean head on the wall (forehead).  Cross arms on your chest with plams on shoulders and slowly turn shoulders like in backswing, forwardswing, impact, followthrough and impact.  It’s great for head position, shoulder turn and angles, and weight transfer.

Who is your favourite player and why?

I can’t say I have only one favourite player.  I like Padraig Harrington, for me he is still the best ball striker.  Lee Westwood because of his approach and personality, and also Rickie Fowler because he does a lot for kids.  He reminds me of a young Freddy Couples who is probably my most favourite player.

Who would be in your ideal fourball and why?

Padraig Harrington, Freddy Couples and Rickie Fowler.  Why?  I like these players, no other special reason.  It could be a lot of fun.

Which is the best golf course you have played and why?

Arcos Gardens Resort.  It is on 160 hectares under olive trees.  You feel like you are playing golf in Eden.  Great architecture, a linkup of holes makes sense and playing is like reading a perfect book.  Big and tricky greens bring fun and emotions to the game.  On top of that, excellent practice area and nice people so I think it’s enough for one Resort.

What is the best and worst experience you have had in golf?

Actually I have two best ones.  The first one – when I played in Sir Nick Faldo’s team against Tony Jacklin’s team at Wentworth.  The other one was when my 11 year old pupil Ondra halved match play with Joakim Haeggman during our camp in Arcos Gardens.

The worst one (I wouldn’t say as worst but regrettable).  I was playing Arcos Gardens back nine, four ball with Freddy Andersson-Hed against Joakim Haeggman and Simon Holmes.  After six holes we were 6 points in the lead and my game was so good, but…………….last 3 holes total collapse and we halved the match.  But we really had a lot of fun.

What is the best tip you could give a junior golfer?

For all of them, not looking as a fact which level they want to reach in golf.  Use golf as a means to be a good person, play fair and be honest in your life.

What’s in the bag?

Driver (9.5) Titleist 910 D2 and 3W (15) Titleist 910 Fd, using Graphite design YS+ stiff shafts

3I – PW Mizuno MP60 on Project X 5.5

Wedges (52, 56 and 60) MP T Series, standard shafts

Putter Scotty Cameron

Balls Bridgestone B330S

Small plush leo for good luck

Peter Ledwidge

[box] This edition we are profiling EGTF Master Professional, Peter Ledwidge who is also a European Tour Coach (www.mallorcagolfacademy.com)  [/box]

I was born in Falkirk, Scotland in 1966 and my sport was always snooker.  Not good enough to turn professional when I left college with an HND in Mechanical Engineering, I went to work on a commission only basis, in direct sales, selling and training sales people.

I continued to play snooker semi-pro until moving to Mallorca in 1996 with my wife Linda and three children.  We opened a bar/bookmakers in Santa Ponsa in 1997 and in the absense of any snooker on the island, I took to golf as a hobby.  I quickly got the bug and within 7 years got down to scratch.  With a passion for teaching dating back to my sales days, I turned Pro immediately when I gained my EGTF Diploma in September 2006 (aged 40) and started teaching friends and family at any golf course where I was able to pay and use the range.

Keen to increase my golf knowledge, I completed the three Golfsmith Clubmaker Training Courses in my first year as a Pro to become a GCA Master Craftsman, and then went on to do my EGTF Masters Course.  I started to build a client base from the ex-pats in Mallorca from personal recommendations.  In my first three years I logged over 1000 coaching hours from self generated clients without a driving range or golf course to be based at.  I attended numerous CPD training days which I found to be excellent and very informative.

In 2009 I went to work with Stewart Craig in my home town Falkirk when the crisis hit Mallorca with a view to moving back home and working full time at Forthview Golf Range where I had done my EGTF courses.  Before I could sell up here in Mallorca though, Golf Santa Ponsa got in touch and asked me to come and work with them as Professional at the private Santa Ponsa II and III where a lot of my clients were shareholders.  I didn’t need to be asked twice!!  I started on 31 March 2010 and have never been busier or happier.

With a golf course to work from and constant exposure to a membership, my lesson diary gets busier and busier.

Why did you become a Teaching Professional?

To make a living doing something I enjoy immensely.

Where do you work?

Golf Santa Ponsa II and III, Mallorca.

Where do you play golf?

Mallorca mainly, the Spanish mainland and Scotland.

What is the best thing about being a Teaching Professional?

Job satisfaction, a client calling me to say ‘it works, thankyou’.

What is the worst thing about being a Teaching Professional?

Travelling to tournaments and being away from the family.

How many lessons do you give during the Summer and Winter?

Mallorca is all year round.  Last year I logged over 1000 hours!

What do you consider is the most important lesson you could give someone and why?

Short game, because that is what will reduce their handicap the quickest.

What is your favourite drill and why?

Railway tracks.  If you guarantee good alignment when practising, you get ACCURATE instant feedback from every shot.

Who is your favourite player and why?

I have to say Sebi Garcia because I coach him, but I also like Martin Kaymer because of his temperament.

Who would be your ideal fourball and why?

Jack Nicklaus because he is the best there has ever been; Colin Montgomerie because he is my hero, and John Daly so I could go on the lash with him afterwards!

Which is the best golf course you have played and why?

Valderrama because it’s steeped in history and immaculately prepared and beautiful.

What is the best and worst experience you have had in golf?

The best experience was Sebi Garcia getting his 2011 European Tour Card at Q school last November.  I honestly can’t think of anything that I could describe as being my worst experience.  Not had it yet and hopefully never will.

What is the best tip you could give a junior golfer?

If you want to hit it further, HIT IT BETTER!!

What’s in the bag?

Snake Eyes Viper Tour Black 9″ Driver Stiff Aldila NV65
Matching 3 wood 14″ and Hybrid 18″
Snake Eyes 675XC & C Forged Irons Dynamic Gold SL Stiff Steel shafts
Callaway X Forged Wedges 52″, 57″ & 62″
Rife Putter


Rozalyn Adams

[box]This edition we are profiling EGTF Professional Rozalyn Adams.  Roz says, “I was first introduced into golf by my mother at the age of 5, and by the time I was 10 it was the one sport that I excelled at.[/box]

I had the opportunity to make it a career at 16, but decided not to at that time and stopped playing seriously.  I found my desire to play again in my mid-forties and was surprised how well I could still play, and soon got down to a 1 handicap and started playing competitive golf and doing well.  This led to me wanting to understand my own swing and brought me into teaching.  Before doing the Diploma Course I had set up my own Clinic as a Beauty Therapist and then specialising in Electrolysis and Laser treatments.”

Where do you work?

I established abcSwingbuild Golf in 2006, based in a high street location in Welling, Kent.  The shop was fitted out with a custom built indoor practice facility using the Vector launch monitor, complete with projector and impact screen.  I had the floor specially contoured as a putting green which worked very well.  The shop was trialed for 18 months to establish the basic parameters for a larger indoor facility, which I am researching at present.

Where do you play golf?

I play at Addington Court GC along with the other Crown golf clubs in the S.E. London area.  These courses are maintained in excellent condition and allow me to play all the different type of shots.

Why did you become a teaching professional?

I believe that golf is a way of life.  It keeps you fit.  It will show up your failings even in the most level headed of people and when you have overcome these, it makes you a stronger person.  It’s sociable and something you can do all your life.  If I can help someone achieve this, I am fulfilling my potential.

What is the best thing about being a teaching professional?

Helping people of all golfing abilities reach their potential.

What is the worst thing about being a teaching professional?

Not being able to teach.

How many lessons do you give in the Summer and the Winter?

At the moment very few as I am in the process of selling my Laser Clinic and resourcing suitable teaching premises.

What do you consider is the most important lesson you could give someone and why?

Not to get frustrated, to be patient.  Why? Because golf is the one sport that you can play all your life and those feelings take away the enjoyment.

What is your favourite drill and why?

Playing with my eyes closed.  It promotes exceptional feel and balance, especially when putting.

Who is your favourite player and why?

Lee Trevino.  He entertained people with his relaxed, jovial style of play.  But even more because he did not have the classic swing and visualised the shape of the shot he wanted to hit and then believed in his ability to play it.

Who would be your ideal fourball and why?

Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Anika Soransen and me!  They are the epitome of what’s good in golf and because I would have the chance to learn from the best.

Which is the best Course you have ever played and why?

The Old Course at St Andrews.  There is no other course like it and all the great players have made their mark there.  When you reach the 18th hole, drive at the clock, walk up the vast fairway over ‘Granny Clarke’s Wynd’ and get ready to hit your approach to the famous 18th green just beyond the valley of sin, your heart will be thumping, and if you succeed in hitting your ball to the heart of the green you will be acknowledged by an applause from a small crowd of golfing enthusiasts who are always there watching.

What’s the best and worst experience you have had in golf?

Playing for England.  When you wear the uniform of your Country it’s a special feeling.  The worst was when I played in the Armature Ladies British Open at Princes GC in Kent a few years ago.  The wind was gusting around 30mph and the rain was hitting us sideways.  My caddy had to hold the umbrella horizontally while I gripped the club and then whip it away at the last minute before I swung the club.

Do you still strive to improve standards?

Always.

What’s the best tip you could give a junior golfer?

Whenever you practice or play, never get frustrated or lose your temper.  Golf is a game of fun, enjoy it.

What’s in the bag?

Roz Newport

EGTF Golf Professional Roz Newport

My clubs consist of two Drivers, a 9.0′ and a 10.5′ depending on the wind and the roll available.  I have a 3 Wood which has a low kick point for getting those fairway shots up in the air and I grip down the shaft to make this a 5 Wood.  I then have a 9 Wood and a 29′ rescue club which gives me mid range flexibility from 150-175 yards to attack the green from the fairway and the light rough.  My Irons go from 5 to 9 and are custom made with Nippon pro lightweight steel shafts for control and accuracy.  I have four Wedges to choose from and will either play all of them and drop my 5 Iron or play 3 Wedges and keep the 5 Iron depending on the course I am playing.  I have three putters to choose from.  Two are standard weight but vary in design and the third has 80g of lead powder in the bottom of the shaft for playing slow greens.

When I am teaching I carry two 9 irons (LH & RH) and a putter.  If my pupil is a junior I have two purpose made junior 9 irons of varying length and a junior putter.  I also have a number of shafts without heads to use as alignment aids etc.  I also have a putting rail which is a great tool to help teach accuracy in putting.  Lots of extra long tee pegs are a simple way of setting up fun drills.

Martin Park

[box]This issue we are profiling EGTF  Professional, Martin Park who is one of the more colourful characters in the European golf industry and well known in his former chosen field of golf journalism and media.[/box]

Martin has been a golf journalist since 1995 when he first covered The Open Championship at St Andrews for both Golf Weekly and also the fledgling American TV station, The Golf Channel.

Martin continued to work for several magazines and broadcast outlets as a writer on tournament golf news, the equipment industry, travel features and instruction articles, but with the declining magazine industry and the advent of the internet, he took the opportunity to help start and develop GOLFmagic.com, where he was the first Editor and helped develop it into what is now Britain’s biggest online golf magazine.

He spent two years with GOLFmagic before taking on the job of Media Director for the Ladies European Tour, which at the time was in dire need of good publicity.  His four year tenure with the LET can only be described as positive as he took a small tour with limited ambitions and resources and gave it the profile it has been missing for so many years.

His finest moment with Women’s golf came at Barseback in Sweden during 2003 where he hosted over 500 worldwide media during Europe’s most successful Solheim Cup victory – where fellow EGTF member, Alison Nicholas was Vice-Captain to Catrin Nilsmark’s winning team.

While he has now developed a life in golf coaching, something he has always wanted to do, he still works in golf media and consults on the media and marketing for the Czech Republic and also his favourite job in media, working each year with the R&A Press Secretariat as Press Officer for The Open Championship.

Martin was born in Scotland, but raised in the sunny south-east of England and now lives on the paradise island of Bornholm, a small island affectionately known as the  “Northern-most South Sea island” due to it’s fabulous summer climate, pure white sand beaches and private and peaceful atmosphere.

He is married to Yvonne, who is a native of Bornholm.  They have a 9-year old son, Lewis.  Yvonne works as the Business Development manager for his Park Golf Academy company, but much as he would like to, he can’t convince his son to give up tennis, handball, football, Playstation 2 and Gameboy for golf….yet!

When did you qualify for the EGTF?
March 2005 at Oliva Nova, Spain.

Where do you work?
I am Head Teaching Professional at Dueodde Golf Club on the island of Bornholm in Denmark.  I also own and manage Park Golf Academy which is now responsible for the training and coaching at two more clubs on the island.  There are over 2000 members at all three clubs with its headquarters based at the academy at Dueodde.  We have a fully fitted indoor centre which includes a 75sq metre chipping and putting green, a projected golf simulator from SportscoachUK with 20 GPS golf courses installed, along with video software, club fitting software, a Vector Launch monitor and soon to come a SAM Putt Lab.  We specialise not only in teaching, but also custom fitting, putting and short game clinics.

Where do you play golf?
I play golf mainly at Dueodde Golf Club and also the Ronne and Ro Golf Clubs on the island.  I also represent our Club in the Danish National divisions and play the occasional Tour event if I have time.

What is the best thing about being a Teaching Professional?
Without a doubt, the best part is being able to influence and guide someone into becoming a better player by instructing them with the latest and most up to date scientific teaching methods and watching them improve during the lesson and have them come back to me saying they are enjoying their game so much more.

What is the worst thing about being a Teaching Professional?
Not being able to play as much as you would like.

How many lessons do you do in the summer.  How many in winter?
From April to September, I teach as many as 75 lessons per week, on average it’s at least 45 lessons a week, plus I also teach the Elite players, women’s teams, Seniors teams and I have two junior sessions each week.  The summer is manic with the island doubling in population with tourists, many of whom play golf, wanting lesson packages.  In the winter, things are slower, but with the indoor academy, it gives our members the opportunity to develop their game through the cold spell and onto the following season.  Having an indoor green, the simulator and all the teaching aids you will ever need, keeps me busy through the winter.  We run small groups in the evenings for two hour sessions, working mainly on short game skills, but also having many video lessons and of course, a lot of fun on the simulator software.

What do you consider is the most important lesson you could give someone and why?
Any good teacher will tell you that the basics of grip, aim, alignment, stance and posture are the key to any good golf swing.  I always instruct my students that if they work hard on getting a good grip, a good stance and posture and perfect it, every other golf lesson you will have will be much easier to learn.  Making sure the basics are correct before you get technical are the cornerstones of any teaching philosophy.  You can’t build a mansion on quicksand.

What is your favourite drill and why?
I have many favourites depending on the need at hand, but the most fun one and most common I use is the “show me your spikes” drill.  So simple, yet so effective and easy to understand by everyone, it works a treat!  I hear my students shouting it to me when they see me on the course, it’s a lot of fun.

Who is your favourite player and why?
Nick Faldo – simply for his pursuit of perfection in every area of his game during his heyday, his incredible performances in the Majors pre-Tiger Woods.  During the 1990 Open, he set a record which was always going to be tough to beat… 18-under par with wooden woods, bladed irons and a soft balata ball – Tiger could only beat that score 15 years later with all the new technology.  At the time, he was a class apart in his golf.  He was an inspiration to many golfers of my generation and I don’t think anyone will ever forget his rivalry with Greg Norman and what happened at the 1996 Masters.  That was Faldo’s greatest moment and a lesson for everyone who plays competitive golf.

Who would be in your ideal fourball and why?
Always a tough one to answer!  Probably Nick Faldo, Annika Sorenstam, Tiger Woods and Ben Hogan.  I’ll tag along as caddie!

Which is the best course you have ever played and why?
Royal Dornoch – a long way to go, but the experience of playing so well on a sunny day with the gorse in bloom on a course that would make other Open Championship venues look ordinary.  It’s an experience I’ll never forget.  The company was good, the weather superb, the course at its best and my score wasn’t too shabby, after a triple bogey at the second hole – one which Tom Watson says is the hardest second shot anywhere in the world… it’s a par three!

What is your best and worst experience you have had in golf?
I’ve been lucky enough as a writer to have a few such as visiting Augusta National for the Masters in 2001 and witnessing the final leg of the ‘Tiger Slam’.  Also working as Jack Nicklaus’ press officer during his final Open at St Andrews in 2005.  That will always be one of my favourites and it was an absolute privilege just to be alongside the great man, let alone work with him during the barrage of media who came to see him finish his Open Championship career.  But after the final round of this year’s Open, I was the lucky Press Officer who had the first and only interview with Tiger in the recorder’s hut for some ‘quick quotes’ immediately after his win at Royal Liverpool.  He even remembered my name!
The worst experience I ever had was forgetting to sign my scorecard at the Championship of England finals.  My arch rival and best pal won it….and he never lets me forget it either!

Why did you become a teaching professional?
It’s something I always wanted to do once I understood how to play the game well enough, but golf media came first.  When the opportunity came to teach in my own club and have an academy built, I grabbed it with both hands.  There is little better in life than teaching someone well and watching them develop and enjoy their game more.  Especially with juniors.  In golf teaching, you are giving them a game for life.  I feel like I am giving something back now, which gives me a sense of pride, too.  I live by my motto – “find a job you love and then you’ll never have to work again in your life”.

What is the best tip you could give a junior golfer?
Once they’ve got the basics right and a good idea for the game, it’s history and traditions – you need to make sure they realise that golf is a game which has to be played.  You need to get juniors to enjoy it – how you do that is mainly down to the teacher.  With juniors, you’ve got to have a laugh with them.

What’s in the bag?
Mizuno MX500 Driver, 8.5 degree with Grafalloy Pro Launch 65gram X flex shaft
Mizuno MP001 3 Wood – Grafalloy Blue S flex
Mizuno Fli-Hi CLK 17degrees with Grafalloy Pro Launch Blue Hybrid Shaft in S flex
Mizuno Bettinardi C-01H Putter in 34-inch, 3 degree loft
Mizuno MP60 Irons 3-9iron – 3/4-inch longer, S400 Dynamic Golf shafts, three degrees upright and two degrees stronger loft
Mizuno MP T-Series Black nickel wedges – 47, 51, 56 and 60 degrees, all 1-inch longer and three degrees upright with Tour velvet 58round grips with three layers of tape on every club in the bag

Gary Stangoe

[box]This edition we are profiling EGTF Professional Gary Stangoe.  Gary became a teaching professional in July 2008 when he completed the EGTF Diploma Course.  He now works at Costessey Park Golf Club in Norwich.[/box]

Why did you become a Teaching Professional?

It was more of a necessity than anything else.  We wanted to promote golf to beginners and weren’t getting much response from PGA Professionals to take up a self-employed coaching role at the Club.  We believed there was enough interest for such a role and I decided to do the job myself.  Within three months of completing the EGTF Diploma Course, I was teaching thirty-five hours a week!

Where do you play golf?

Costessey Park Golf Club in Norwich, where I work.

What is the best thing about being a Teaching Professional?

Helping people of all ages and abilities get more enjoyment from the game.

What is the worst thing about being a Teaching Professional?

Is there one?  Seriously, look at what everyone else does for a living!

How many lessons do you give in the Summer and the Winter?

Within 3 months of completing the Diploma Course I was teaching 35 lessons a week.  We have no covered facilities here so I’m restricted for Winter coaching, but I’m fortunate as I have other responsibilities at the Club so I have a wage coming in.

What do you consider is the most important lesson you could give someone and why?

That if you get your set up right and then take the club away properly in the first quarter of the swing, there is a much greater chance of it returning to the ball properly, allowing you to hit a good shot.  That goes for beginners up to plus handicaps.  G.A.A.S.P. is so important.

What is your favourite drill and why?

Any drill which helps someone improve.  The feedback they give you at the point they feel an improvement is so rewarding.

Who is your favourite player and why?

Sandy Lyle.  At his best even Tiger would have struggled to beat him.  Pure raw talent.  Sadly the 1-iron has disappeared from the game now, but no-one could hit the ball like him.  It was a joy to see him do so well at last year’s Masters.

Who would be your ideal fourball and why?

Sandy obviously, Moe Norman (who died recently) undoubtedly the best ball striker ever but a complex character, and Kirsty Gallagher for obvious reasons!  If you’ve never heard of Moe Norman, look up the various stories about him on the net, fascinating stuff.

Which is the best golf course you have ever played and why?

I’m fortunate to have played many top courses but Muskoka Bay in Ontario, Canada is the best.  Perfect in every way.

What’s the best and worst experience you have had in golf?

The worst is easy, having to talk to people regarding their cheating!  It’s just pointless.  The best, I’ve had lots of great times, but have to say watching my little boy Brodie (2 1/2 years old) swinging a club, now takes some beating!

Do you still strive to improve standards?

Yes, you must.  I recently attended a session with Dr Paul Hurrion and Gel Golf and felt like a child in a sweet shop!  I learned a lot and just couldn’t wait to put it into practice and improve what I could offer my students.

What’s the best tip you could give a junior golfer?

To have patience.  Whether that is on the golf course waiting to play shots, on the practice ground or in their overall improvement.  They all want it too quickly!

What’s in the bag?

New Wilson Smooth 9.5 degree Drive Fujikura 360 Stiff Shaft
Wilson 15 degree 3 wood V2 stiff
Wilson 19.5 degree Fybrid V2 stiff
Wilson 3-PW C17 Irons V2 stiff
Wilson TW9 52 and 58 degree wedges (a lot of Harrington’s kit!)
Gel Golf Paul Hurrion signature Sedo putter
I also have a 31 inch Gel Putter for demo’s and a Gel Golf Putter Fitting Tool
Gel Golf Putting Mirror
ProStance Teaching Aid
Extended club for chipping practice and a Driver and 8-Iron fitted with UST tempo trainer shafts.  I have other aids as well but these are the most common ones that I use

Scroll to top