Pro dream drives golfer

BY STU PIDDINGTON

Former Timaruvian Glen Davies is following his dream of becoming a professional golfer.

The 27-year-old has started a three-year trainee programme through the PGA of Australia which will give him a Diploma in Sport and level two and three golf coaching diploma.

The programme involves a 38-hour working week at Twin Waters Golf Club, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, and 20 to 25 assignments a year.

The theory includes learning about retail and business management and club technology.

"Also coaching and understanding the golf swing, as well as being able to show ability in the playing side of things," Davies said.

"Having just completed mid-year exams for my first year I am now concentrating on completing my first year of playing." To complete it he needs to score at an average of 5.75 over par, or better.

"This average drops over the next two years with the third and final year being an average of four shots or less over par for my 30 rounds."

The main goal each year was to play a minimum of 30 rounds and score under the national average.

"Your worst 20 per cent of the 30 rounds can be discarded and if you meet the criteria then you will pass the playing side of the programme."

Davies' average will also determine if he gets starts in some of the bigger events around Australia.

"Each Monday we have the option of playing two rounds of golf throughout Queensland. We can choose where we want to play, depending on travel distance, any assignments that are due or if we have been rostered on at work.

"This means early starts, getting on the road by 4am to make it to the tee for a 7am shotgun start for the morning round followed by a midday start."

That meant getting home around 9pm after the prizegiving. Failing to attend could attract a fine of $300.

That could be a big cost with the traineeship costing A$3500 a year plus tournament entry fees.

The former Aorangi representative said once he had completed his study there were several options – becoming a coach or the general manager of a golf course, or those good enough could qualify and play golf fulltime on one of the many tours around the world.

"My ultimate goal would be to play on the European Tour but for me to reach this goal would mean to knuckle down and complete my traineeship first.

"It is just one of many stepping stones into reaching my goals."

Davies works Tuesday to Saturday at Twin Waters, one of the premier golf resorts on the Sunshine Coast.

"We organise the day for the players by taking in green fees and generally looking after them.

"Although I am not allowed to coach the game until the middle of year two of my traineeship, I am always passing on tips or anything that will make our members happy."

He said if he was just going to become a professional player he wouldn't have done a traineeship.

"I would most likely try to qualify at the end of the year. However, doing the traineeship gives you the title of a `golf professional' forever which is why I have chosen to go down this path."

While his wage was not great, he was happy at Twin Waters.

"What motivates me is the big picture at the end of my time, the places [my traineeship] can take me."

Practice took a back step to study and the best advice he had been given was to manage his time and get assignments done quickly.

"So when I find time it's mainly practising my short game of chipping and putting."

At the end of October he is heading to the Australian nationals in New South Wales.

- © Fairfax NZ News