W L
GOLF
10 YEARS DOWN THE LINE
BY TOM ATKINSON , PGA GOLF PROFESSIONAL
Heswall Golf Club has been my second home now for the last 24 years . This is my 10th season as Head Professional and there ’ s no where I ’ d rather serve my time .
It all started in 1998 when I approached Alan Thompson who was the current professional about the potential of a job . He told me I could fill in over that summer but wouldn ’ t be needed come the autumn . From that moment on I ’ ve never looked back .
The course itself is without doubt the best I ’ ve seen it in over the 25 seasons I ’ ve been here , this is due largely to our new course manager Scott Gardner . The knowledge he has brought with him over the last 14 months is evident and his ability to pass that down to his team is second to none . This year alone we have hosted the Ladies County match week , the Men ' s Cheshire strokeplay and the North of England U16 championships all with great success .
The late John Smith proposed me into the club , I had a handicap of 24 in 1999 , 5 in the year 2001 and then turned professional off scratch in 2003 to embark on my PGA qualification under Alan ’ s wing alongside Nick Pugh who now caddies on the PGA tour for Lucas Herbert .
In 2023 , The Open will be returning to the Wirral at Hoylake golf club , an opportunity to not only watch the event but also get a game in the area yourself .
My golf came on leaps and bounds playing with better players than myself , Sandeep Grewal , Chris Trott and Chris Sands to name a few . My coaching was always going to reap the rewards of having one of the best of all time as my mentor . Alan Thompson has been coach to countless National and county players and had started to coach the worlds best when I joined him . I got the opportunity to play with some of his stable , Paul Affleck , Jamie Donaldson , Tommy Fleetwood and latterly Andrew ‘ Beef ’ Johnson , Lee Slattery and Matt Baldwin , this is the best thing you can do as an aspiring golfer . Put yourself on the tee against the best , and if not the best then at least players that are of a better standard than you . You will learn the most vital parts of the game - and swing isn ’ t top of the list !
A County coaching role was a feather in my cap when I accepted a role as an academy coach for Cheshire back in 2008 , I ’ ve seen some real talent develop in both the boys and girls game since then . Heswall Golf Club has a history of producing the highest quality golfers and the coaching we give plays a major role in that . Jason Dransfield is making a name for himself here with Junior and Ladies golf especially whilst Lewis Body has just started to learn his trade as a part of our team .
Heswall are offering visitor packages to play our outstanding championship course during the week of the Open .
To book a tee time , please contact us on 0151 342 1237 or email : admin @ heswallgolfclub . com
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