After more than 12 years of volunteering to support the development of the north region’s best junior golfers, Bryan Ross has stepped down from his role with England Golf.
Having started as the regional manager of the boys’ squad before taking on the combined boys and girls’ groups, Bryan has worked alongside PGA professional JJ Vallely in supporting the development of the region’s female youngsters for the last nine years.
In that time, the north region has seen eight girls capped for England – including Cumbria’s Caitlin Whitehead, and Northumberland’s Rosie Belsham, Maggie Whitehead and 2021 Women’s British Amateur champion Jess Baker.
“Playing a small part in the burgeoning golf careers of so many of the region’s best boys and girls has been an honour and a privilege,” said former Durham county player and captain Bryan. “The boys and girls have done some incredible things, too many to list them all, and they continue to do so well at regional, national and international level. Outside of golf, seeing them mature into well-rounded adults has been as rewarding as what they’ve achieved on the golf course.”
While he’s stepping down from his England Golf role, Bryan will continue his work with the Futures squad, also coached by JJ, as well as the junior section at Heworth, and his golf coaching in schools.
“The coaches I’ve supported over the years have each been fantastic, and the last nine years with JJ have been an incredible learning experience. To work so closely with a friend and an inspiring guy has been a pleasure, and we’ll be continuing our work with the Futures squad in the years ahead.”
JJ added: “Bryan’s focus was always on making a difference and wow has he done that! I can’t ever thank him enough for the constant support he has given me. We’ve spent hundreds of hours discussing the girls’ development and left no stone left unturned in our effort to help every one of them be the best they can be. Without his experience, humour, caring nature, selflessness and unwavering moral compass, the programme would never have become what it has. He’s welcome to come back any time and try and take down another England international in one of our skills challenges.”
