The only way is Wessex, one of the

By Stuart Wickham stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk

The Director of Golf at Wessex Golf Centre has been talking of his delight this week at the club’s success in gaining affiliation to England Golf and obtaining its World Handicap System certificate, set to become the shortest rated course in Dorset. Luke Shaw, a PGA coach who has worked at the centre in Weymouth for five years, has said that the elevation to rated course status will enable members to readily access golf courses across the world.

Luke said: “We are absolutely thrilled to gain this accreditation and it will mean so much to many of the golfers who come and play with us. It means they can have an official handicap, which is universally recognised, and will open the door to them playing at courses wherever they want. “We extended one hole and were aiming to increase our yardage to 1,500 yards or more, and the official length is 1,519 yards due the natural undulations of the course. It means we are one of the ten shortest out of 2,000 courses in the country, and it’s great to be the shortest one in Dorset.

“We are proud of the achievement and what we do here at Wessex Golf.” For a small course, Wessex

Golf boast some impressive coaching credentials. Ladies’ PGA golfer Fern Grimshaw is the Head Professional, bringing a wealth of knowledge and many years’ coaching experience. Luke works alongside Fern in coaching the club’s academy youngsters, Wessex Aces. Paul D’Arcy is the latest addition to the coaching set up, delivering high quality golf tuition as well as mental coaching sessions. Mike Watson is the club’s Touring Golf professional, currently playing on the PGA and national senior events. The centre boasts an impressive array of facilities and has enjoyed a boost in line with other courses postpandemic.

Luke said: “We are keen to work with what we have here at Wessex, and will continue to improve our facilities for the hundreds of visitors we get each day. We have a very relaxed approach to the game. “We know that the formality and etiquette of the game can be quite intimidating for new golfers, particularly younger ones. It’s easy to imagine experienced golfers getting frustrated playing behind novices who are always looking for their balls in the rough.

“Although we are a small course, there is still plenty of challenge out there, but we don’t think that having to hit the ball 300 yards, while