S P O R T ad v er t i s i n g feat u re
Meet the GOlf Pro If you want to up your golfing game then give one of these guys a call!
Gareth Bennett
Cottrell Park 07980 656659 www.cottrellpark.com Why would you recommend taking up golf? It is a great sport both in terms of fitness and the social aspects. You can be as competitive as you want or just play for fun. Also it doesn’t have to be very expensive. What do you most enjoy about your job? The love of the game. Every day, and every lesson I give is different and my job is my hobby. Having played golf for more than 30 years it’s amazing to be able to pass on advice and help others enjoy this game. What advice would you give to newcomers? Don’t jump in and spend a fortune on equipment and don’t watch every video online as it’ll confuse you a lot of the time. It’s easier to learn something correctly from the start than unlearn a bad habit. Why should clients choose to have tuition with you? I listen to what the pupils want from their game and tailor the lessons to their requirements. One swing doesn’t suit everyone. I keep it simple and to the point and allow the student to learn at their own pace.
Simon Cox
Clive Coombs
KYLE SMITH
Where’s your favourite course and why? Navatanee Golf and Country club in Bangkok in Thailand. It was originally a rice paddy field before it was developed into a golf course. I represented Wales in the World Cup of Golf there.
What inspired you to be a professional golfer? Simply the love of golf and the environment in which its played, plus the fact that I have always been competitive. You also make life long friends from many parts of the world.
What advice would you give to newcomers taking up golf? Don’t be afraid to have a go and get involved. Patience and realistic expectations are so important when starting. Seek advice with a lesson from a PGA professional where you will be quickly put at ease in a relaxed environment and you can then determine whether it is the game for you. It is such a sociable game and you can form great friendships while getting good exercise. The hardest part sometimes is making the initial step to book a lesson.
Cottrell Park 07986 738744 www.cottrellpark.com
Who is your favourite player and why? Gary Player has always been my inspiration as a professional golfer. A man who succeeded against all the odds to become one of a few to be a Grand Slam Champion. He is still playing good golf today, well into his 80s. Why should clients choose to have tuition with you? A lifetime in golf has enabled me to obtain a vast amount of knowledge of what it takes to play golf or improve your golf. My own playing history includes being Welsh Professional Champion on two occasions. I have had clients start with me and end up as golf professionals. My goal since arriving at Cottrell Park is, and always will be, to help the visitors and members improve their golf.
72 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Vale Resort 01443 667800 www.valeresort.com
How often do you recommend your clients have lessons? Golfers should have lessons as often as they can afford. Also, having a lesson when you are playing well will make you much more aware of your swing and swing through. There will always be something to work on no matter what standard you are. What a large majority of pupils lack is the confidence to let the club do the work. If you can achieve this early on you will progress very quickly. What do you most enjoy about your job? Working at one of the UK’s best golf resorts, every day is different. You work with members that become part of your everyday life, work with colleagues that all have the same interest as you, and when the weather is good you have the privilege of being surrounded by 650 acres of grass, gardens, a luxury hotel and a castle. Who wouldn’t enjoy a job like this?
Celtic Manor 07706624548 www.celtic-manor.com
How has technology helped golf progress in recent years? The most common mistake I encounter with amateur golfers is having the wrong equipment. Even someone’s best struck golf shot won¹t achieve their desired result. Here at the Celtic Manor Resort we offer a complete custom fitting experience using the TRACKMAN launch monitor to provide every individual with the correct equipment to significantly enhance their performance.