Age: 37
Turned pro: 22
Home club: bishop auckland Golf Club
How is this season going so far?
“On the course, things are going really well. I won the NE/NW PGA’s Pro Series event at Brampton and tied for first place at Ramside to get up to third in the Order of Merit recently. I’m spending more time practising my short game which has really paid off at the start of the year. I’m also nice and relaxed on the course nowadays as I can’t expect to play my best all the time with a lot going on off the course. On the club side, it’s going really well too, we’ve got a big playing membership here with a busy diary of tuition including a healthy Get into Golf programme.”
How did you get into the game?
“I started playing with my brother and dad at Dinsdale Spa as a kid and was hooked really early on. My dad was a five handicapper at his best and he got us going on the right path. We played our junior golf at Dinsdale and I won the club championship and match play in my final year before heading off to train as a professional with Mark Rogers at Seaton Carew.”
What does the future hold?
“I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself but I’m in a good position in the Order of Merit and would like to do well in that this season. We’ve got some great events coming up this year – including our PGA Championship at Bishop in June. I’m also captain of the NE/NW PGA this year so it will great to host one of our biggest events at my home club. We’ve also got our pro am here in September plus there’s a lot of work in the shop and on the teaching side, the course is in great condition right now – it’s an exciting time for the whole club.”
Interesting fact?
Brother Stewart is the PGA professional at Teesside Golf Club, while younger brother Greg works with Michael and is looking to turn pro later this year.
