Andy808
Tour Winner
A couple of weeks ago the pro at our club announced he was leaving as he had been made an offer he couldn't refuse at another club. As he's an independent pro the transition was very quick and he left last Wednesday. He was a great teacher and friend to myself and many others at the club with many of us wondering how long it would take to get a new pro.
Well last Friday I got a call from one of the clubs proprietors to tell me they had found a new pro and the kids lessons would go ahead at the same time as usual. Unfortunately Natalie was doing a mini triathlon for sport relief on Saturday morning so wasn't going but I took an hour to myself in the afternoon to hit some balls on the range and the new pro, Richard, was still there.
The first thing I noticed was his car, strange I know, as it had the name of the club our previous pro had left for. The second thing I noticed when I went in was stock of clubs in the pro shop, which we haven't had for a few years as the shop was run by the club not the pro and they didn't have the knowledge to fit or sell clubs effectively.
When I went out to the range he was giving a lesson to another member and kept an ear on his teaching methods as well as practicing what I wanted to. I liked the way he was talking to the member and how he was teaching him too.
After I had finished practicing Fay, one of the owners, introduced me to Richard and we chatted as me and the lads I play with had a beer.
On Sunday I popped up for another range session as I didn't have time to play a game with jobs to do on the car. When I finished Richard was there setting up the pro shop which is small but he was making good use of the space.
He showed me the lines he has in at the moment including IJP clothing, Royal and Awsome trousers (already eyeing up a pair of those when I have enough in vouchers!) Callaway clubs and his Ping fitting outfit. His prices are very good being cheaper than buying direct from Royal and Awsome and IJP directly.
He has some good plans for lessons including mens group lessons, winter evening lessons when the range has had it's refurb and wanting to get out and play with members when he can. He is also bringing new people to the club as he has a good amount of people he gives lessons to who will be coming to the club for lessons and he hopes to get some the them to join the club.
We also chatted about Tuesday night roll ups as I've been told I'm organising it again this year which he is intending to attend some of and we have organised a reduction on green fees for non members that take lessons with him to join in.
It's a shame we have lost Phil as he was doing a great job and was a good friend to many of the members but Richard seems to have a good plan on how he wants to do things and the owners seem to be happy to back him.
All in all it's an interesting time for the club.
Well last Friday I got a call from one of the clubs proprietors to tell me they had found a new pro and the kids lessons would go ahead at the same time as usual. Unfortunately Natalie was doing a mini triathlon for sport relief on Saturday morning so wasn't going but I took an hour to myself in the afternoon to hit some balls on the range and the new pro, Richard, was still there.
The first thing I noticed was his car, strange I know, as it had the name of the club our previous pro had left for. The second thing I noticed when I went in was stock of clubs in the pro shop, which we haven't had for a few years as the shop was run by the club not the pro and they didn't have the knowledge to fit or sell clubs effectively.
When I went out to the range he was giving a lesson to another member and kept an ear on his teaching methods as well as practicing what I wanted to. I liked the way he was talking to the member and how he was teaching him too.
After I had finished practicing Fay, one of the owners, introduced me to Richard and we chatted as me and the lads I play with had a beer.
On Sunday I popped up for another range session as I didn't have time to play a game with jobs to do on the car. When I finished Richard was there setting up the pro shop which is small but he was making good use of the space.
He showed me the lines he has in at the moment including IJP clothing, Royal and Awsome trousers (already eyeing up a pair of those when I have enough in vouchers!) Callaway clubs and his Ping fitting outfit. His prices are very good being cheaper than buying direct from Royal and Awsome and IJP directly.
He has some good plans for lessons including mens group lessons, winter evening lessons when the range has had it's refurb and wanting to get out and play with members when he can. He is also bringing new people to the club as he has a good amount of people he gives lessons to who will be coming to the club for lessons and he hopes to get some the them to join the club.
We also chatted about Tuesday night roll ups as I've been told I'm organising it again this year which he is intending to attend some of and we have organised a reduction on green fees for non members that take lessons with him to join in.
It's a shame we have lost Phil as he was doing a great job and was a good friend to many of the members but Richard seems to have a good plan on how he wants to do things and the owners seem to be happy to back him.
All in all it's an interesting time for the club.
