How has my golf progressed?

Sept 2019 at St Mellion

I started University at Tournament Golf College (TGC) St Mellion, Cornwall in September 2019. This was the first time I moved far away from home in Burton Upon Trent and learned to live independently by cooking healthy meals, shopping, washing, and looking after myself with a little guidance from my parents, by phone. It was challenging at times. I also made new friends.

Becoming a student was a new experience as lectures were not only in the classroom but outside on the golf course, range or gym. I worked on my short game with the help of Head Coach Darren Gass, having individual and group lessons and attending short game clinics by Ben Stow (European Tour Player an ex-TGC Student). With the weather getting worse in the winter it was a great time to concentrate and improve my physical fitness, with the help from Adam Jones, going to the gym 3-4 times a week and discovering different classes.

During the half term I was fortunate to attend the ‘Everyone Active Sporting Champions’ day hosted by Olympian Colin Jackson, along with Chef to Jonny Marsh, who cooks food for many Premier League footballers, who gave a great demonstration of what to eat. It was a great experience to gain knowledge of how to become a high performing athlete. Jos Andrews giving tips on communication and social media.

In preparation for the term out in Portugal I decided to get fitted for some graphite shafts, I went to Nevil Bland at Brocton GC . This enabled me to have a lighter shaft but it still being stiff and have less vibrations going through the shaft. This cost me £580, but was well worth it.

January 2020 at Amendoria Golf resort in Portugal The next challenge was to go to Portugal, we were based at Amendoria golf resort. Learning how to live in a new country I had to adapt to the language and cultural differences, and shopping was fun finding the healthy products in the supermarket and communicating in different language. We all were based in a resort however the resort was so big and we had to walk from apartments to the classrooms, golf facilities and gym, I often racked up over 30,000 + steps in a day. This has helped to build my stamina to play in 36-hole events back in the UK when cardiovascular fitness is key. The resorts short game facilities are state of the art and I had the ability to practice my short game from different lies and situation and grass types (the resort had Bentgrass greens, Bermuda fairways and Rye grass and tall fescue rough) The weather in Portugal was great and allowed me to practice all day and with top quality conditions of the course it allowed me to build confidence in my game. The Par 3 course was great to develop my wedge game from 40 - 110 yards. I used this facility at least 3 times a week. Some nights playing under flood lights, which was a new and fantastic experience. This great practice facility allowed me to win one of the TGC Order of Merit Competition, and into the final 8 for the matchplay finals. During the Portugal term we got to play in 3 Portugal Pro Golf Tour events (multiple days), I played at Palmares, Pinhal and Amendoria. I played well in every event, scoring 243, 156 152 and was one of the Top TGC players for each event.

One of the Guest speakers on the TGC Course was Graham Close, The European Tour nutritionist helped us to develop meal plans for before, during and after rounds of golf and healthy snacks to make to consume on the course to keep energy levels up. I used his advice to prepare my snacks and meals for the competitions I played over the summer. Another guest speaker, Andrew Murray, an ex-European Tour player and now playing on the European Seniors Tour who gave his life experiences playing professional golf. His talk inspired me even more to become a professional golfer. Tyler Hogarty, ex-TGC student and mini tour player spent a lot of time out in Portugal and hosted many short game clinics and gave me many 1-1 lessons. I took on his knowledge to improve my short game, and this showed in my latest scores. The Term was cut short because of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic and I had to returned back to UK, travelling in very unusual circumstances and uncertainty. This taught me to be calm and patient and make right decision in the time of unprecedented panic.

March 2020 At home in lockdown.

After being rushed back home from Portugal, I spent a week at home isolating as a precaution and advice from the government. As a lot of things were uncertain in the beginning of lockdown, we created a makeshift gym facilities and golf practice areas. We were lucky enough to be able to purchase a golf cage (cost £300) which allowed me to continue with my golf practice with my personal and TGC coaches, via Facetime, Zoom and texts, and to stay on top of my swing and physical fitness. The work has paid off with the amazing golf I have played so far. As I do a lot of gym work outs, I had to become creative with equipment and exercises. I filled gym bags with sand and water bottles and used scaffolding pole as a weight, different types of resistance bands and focused on speed and stretching exercises.

Before COVID, my club Branston GC was going through renovations inside the clubhouse. So, I volunteered to help, I painted inside and outside, built many flatpack items, took apart old furniture, helped the greenkeeping staff by doing some gardening, cleaned up after the renovations. During lockdown, the weather was fantastic, and I was able to go on runs and walks to keep my cardiovascular fitness up ready for when golf returned, and I would be walking lots.

May 2020 At home golf open Golf was allowed in England on the 13th May and for the following 2 weeks I played 18 holes every day! During the later stages of May and early June I was constantly revising my Tournament schedule as many county, regional and national competitions were cancelled or postponed, this meant that the majority of competitions I would be able play, would be at the local golf clubs. The first few weeks I played lots of golf to get the game and feels back, which I had lost from not playing golf for 3 months, and my scores were getting better and better every round. With golf practice facilities being closed I was pleased that I have my golf cage to continue practicing as new COVID rules meant that you only arrive at the golf club minutes before your round. I continued my limited gym work outs at home and with support from my coaches. During the COVID Lockdown to help the NHS in need I became a blood donor and hope to continue to donate my blood when I can. Even though golf was back I still found time to help at our golf club in their renovations.

To help me with swing speed my TGC coach advised me to invest into a set of SuperSpeed Training Sticks to help me to develop even more speed in my swing. (cost £189) When I was out in Portugal, playing in one of the professional events, I had cracked the face of my TaylorMade Tour Preferred UDI 2 iron. I was only able to replace the club via Nevil Bland at Brocton GC in May, with a Ping I500 3 iron, costing £140.

June 2020 at home golf tournaments start The 1st handicap qualifier I played in 2020 was on the 17th June at Burton GC, it was a great start to competitive golf with a -1 round on 70. With many pro shops being closed I regripped my clubs at home ready for when I would be able to play golf. At this stage there still not many tournaments to play in. To regain some competitive golf, I played in the Jamega Tour Event at Druids Heath, this really helped me to build confidence in competitive golf, as I was able to compete against a high-profile professional field. I continued my limited gym work outs at home and with support from my coaches. Even though golf tournaments were back I still allowed myself time to help at my local golf club in their renovations. Local driving ranges opened which allowed me to hit the ball at full force and see the flight of the ball, however I continued my practice at home. As my home club at the time, Branston, had no major/club qualifying competitions I decided to move ‘my home’ club to Burton GC where qualifying competitions were played from mid-June twice a week all the major competitions were not cancelled but rescheduled. This move also allowed my handicap to be updated promptly.

Burton is the main club I play at and so far, I have won 2 net club competitions scoring 70 and 67 (par 71) In away tournaments I have had good results: Sherwood Forrester T41st (72,84) Kedleston Goose T11th (73,76), Faldo Series 12th (72,78,76) at Kedleston Gc, Leicestershire Fox 10th (73,70), Faldo Series T29th (74,cancelled R2,78) at St Anne’s Old Links. After playing some fantastic golf after lockdown on the 1st July I tied the course record at Burton GC 67 (-4), I joined about 5 players who had shot 67 round the course. Then on the 28th July, a few weeks after tying the course record at Burton I shot one better shooting 66 (-5), I was -6 under through 8 holes. Played in the Closed House British Masters Qualifier in July and shot 83 in some challenging conditions and course set up. With gyms opened on 26th July I returned to my TPI gym training, which enabled me to regain some stamina and muscle. Burton Gc Club Champion 2020 (69-69) beating the lowest score for the tournament ever. Reduced handicap from 3.2 to +0.4 Unfortunately, my driver face cracked and had to replaced, therefore for 4 weeks I had to play without this important club in competitions such as Leicestershire Fox and a few others, yet achieving some good scores.

I now had a session with Professional Club fitter Nevil Bland and purchase new Ping driver at a cost of £340. Since 2016 I played in many Rob Rock Junior Golf Tours events, this year it was time to give some back when the Rob Rock Junior Golf Tour came to Branston GC in August. I Volunteered to be the starter helping the organiser Natalie Clarke, it was a great experience for me. How have I progressed academically?

Completed 1st year at Tournament Golf College (and transcript of the results in Certificates). I am now able to progress to the next stage of the program.

Despite COVID, Lockdown restrictions my golfing year went very well I was able to train, practice, compete and reduce my handicap from 3 to scratch. In 2019-20 my aim was to play consistently under par and reduce my handicap from 3 to 1 and I am so pleased to have over-achieved my target. My thanks go to Jon Watts, my coach, Leon Simpson, my TPI Coach, Nevil Bland, my fitting coach at Brocton, the team at TGC in St Mellion and Portugal, the England Golf Bursary team and of course my parents for financing my game and career.

A Friendly warm up for the start of the season. We played on Sunday 29^th April at a club in the North of the County Newcastle under Lyme where I had not played previously. After the Bacon Rolls we proceeded to the putting green and practice net. Arriving early on the first tee I could hear my Dad’s commanding voice announcing the four balls. The course was in great nick and I was partnered with Tom Morton from Drayton Manor Park. A close match ensued , no more that one down or one up, and on the 17^th hole we secured our third wining hole on the trot. So we brought in a Win for Staffordshire just before the customary sandwich and chips lunch.

The Singles started and my match was the eighth one out, the same man was starting but this time he mentioned lightning as there was thunder clouds forming. The first hole was a nightmare for my competitor as he was three off the tee and I ended one up after one hole. After that hole I never lost the lead or gave him chance to come back. The result was a win for me on the 15^th Hole as I was 5 up.

It took a while for the final two groups to come in so diner was a little delayed. The Steak Pie and Chips was a good filler as I was starving. I have noticed that the mind is quickly altered around to course when you don’t eat something at every other hole and drink on every hole. My parents make me sandwiches of Ham or Chicken but I have read that Tour players are actually eating Peanut Butter and Jam Sandwiches and Bananas with copious amounts of still water.

Speaches

Junior golf speechs  follow the same pattern its thanks to the Green Keepers, the catering staff, the organisers,  the club and occasionally a thank to the parents. Does nothing funny happen in over 200 holes of golf?  Just before the Captain says “safe Journey home” he announced a Staffordhsire win  12.5 to 5.5 so that was 4 counties beaten and it was only April.

How can you hit a drive and the next shot is 10 yards behind you?

Simple, the on Wednesday 16th May I was teeing off at Burton Golf Club,  being the cautious chap I am I had a 4 iron in my hand to hit a low sting with a slight draw as the first hole is quite uphill.

To my disappointment I was being too cautious, and the ball was so low it hit the marker post on the Ladies Tee at over 100mph the ball came straight back at me and landed in the bush behind the tee, 10 yards behind me.

But with no shot it was back on course with 3 off the tee, one of those if only’s as at the 18^th Hole I was 2 over par net and failed to make buffer.

At least I know where I need to save shots.

FOur Counties Competition - April 2018

Branston Captains Past, Present, and Future Teammates in the Staffordshire team,

Oh! the nerves of the first competitive match for the U18’s County Team and the first comp of the year due to awful weather in the UK.

Held at Stourbridge Golf Club against Gloucester, Worcestershire, Warwickshire (who I could have played for having been born in Coventry?)

In preparation I had prepared my own course planner and had a practice round with Darren Prosser as our guide.

The first round on Thursday afternoon against Warwickshire it was tough, the weather was cold, and the wind was strong. The course was in great condition for the bad weather before the competition started. I lost by 2 holes, but the Team had won 5 to 3 and were in good stead in the tournament.

After the Dinner at the Club we left for the nearby hotel. But there was a big distraction it was the first competitive day at The Masters, over in Augusta, so it was a hard choice between sleep or the TV. We turned it off at midnight and slept as it was an early start.

The second Round on Friday morning was against Worcestershire I had lost 3 & 1 but again the Team had won 5.5 to 2.5 but yet again I played well.

During the lunch break Darren had a word with me to adjust my swing by keeping the face more open in the upswing and told me to learn from my mistakes and it worked perfectly.

The third round against Warwickshire was a new experience for me as Charles, our team manager asked me to lead the team off in the first pair. Despite starting badly, being 3 down after 5 holes I got myself together and won 5 holes on the bounce. I ended up winning the match 5&3.

The atmosphere as the rest of the Staffordshire Team came up the little finishing loop on 16,17,18 it was great I had started a win for the team of 6.5 to 1.5. This win meant that we won the 4 Counties Tournament.

But that was not the end of my golf for that week, my parents had arrived to see me tee off and finish, we piled in the car and headed south, nearly as far south as you can go in England without a passport. Our destination was St. Mellion and an open day at Tournament Golf College. The presentation and details of the course made me even more excited about taking the degree course with on term in the UK, one term in Portugal Learning and playing and the final term of the year playing in competitions where it takes me.

Sunday came and with Mother driving the Buggy I played 18 holes on the Jack Nicolas designed course, this year it is celebrating its 30^th Year. The course was soaked after rain for several hours over night, it’s always an extra challenge to play a fresh course but depending on your course planner is how you play. If it gives accurate measurements and pictures of inclines on the fairways and slopes on the green you are halfway to knowing the course when you stand on the tee.