Staffordshire Union of Golf Clubs Podcast
By Staffordshire Union of Golf Clubs
In addition, the Union represents the World Handicap System (WHS) in respect of Handicaps. Golf Clubs that are affiliated with the Union are authorised to operate the WHS as adopted by England Golf.
Staffordshire Union of Golf Clubs PodcastMay 28, 2021
From County Golf to The European Tour - Simon Wakefield - SUGC Podcast - Episode 30
Simon Wakefield was born in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire and is the nephew of former England cricketer Bob Taylor. He won the 1996 Tillman Trophy in addition to several county amateur championships before turning professional in 1997.
Early in his career, Wakefield played predominantly on the second tier Challenge Tour before winning a place on the European Tour via qualifying school at the end of 1999. He failed to retain his tour card during his rookie season and dropped back to the Challenge Tour for 2001. He won his first professional tournament in 2002 at the Tessali Open del Sud, and went on to finish 9th on the Challenge Tour Rankings to graduate back to the European Tour for 2003.
Wakefield finished the 2003 European Tour season inside the top 100 on the Order of Merit to retain his card, but was back at the tour school at the end of 2004 having just missed out on keeping his place via the money list. He won his card back, and has secured his place on the European Tour since then with solid performances, although he has yet to win a tournament at the highest level. In 2005, he won his second professional title, the Dimension Data Pro-Am in South Africa.
Simon now works with Par 5 Escapes & Caria Golf
CARIA Golf | Golf Holidays in Turkey, Portugal, Spain, Cyprus, Morocco Best All Inclusive Golf Packages with Flights (par5escapes.com)
Zarak Curley - The Road to Professional Golf - SUGC Podcast - Episode 29
In this podcast we speak to Staffordshire Amateur Champion 2023 and now Professional Golfer Zarak Curley - Leek Golf Club about his journey to becoming a Professional.
Grant Field - SUGC Podcast - Episode 28
Grant is a Member of the Australian PGA (Advanced in Coaching & Game Development) and one of Australia’s leading golf coaches, he is a Director & Head of Coaching Grant Field Golf - Pelican Waters Golf Club.
A Short Game Expert, he is the Head Coach for Golf Queensland, the current Men's State Coach and is also the Head Coach of the Queensland Academy of Sport.
Grant is the long time coach to Cameron Smith
PGA Tour player and 8 x winner
2017 & 2021 Zurich Classic 2020 Sony Open, Winner 2017 & 2018 Australian PGA Championship.
2022 Sentry Tournament of Champion
2022 The Players Champion
2022 The Open Championship
He is one of only a handful of coaches to be accredited with the AimPoint Green Reading Certification in Australia and in 2018 was named the Australian Team Coach for the Eisenhowser Cup in Ireland. Grant has been nominated for Queensland PGA Coach of the Year for the last 10 years in a row, winning the award 4 Times in 2012, 2017, 2018 & 2021, He also was named Australian PGA High Performance Coach of the year for 2021.
Are You Playing The Right Golf Ball For Your Game? - SUGC Podcast - Episode 27
In this episode, we speak to Nathan Hirst - County Player and representative from Srixon, Cleveland, and XXIO Golf.
We Have Created A Store With 6EZ! - Episode 26
In this episode, we speak to Ben Thompson from 6EZ. Ben and the team have worked with us to create an on-line store for our players and members and we look forward to sharing this store with you.
SUGC Store: https://staffsgolf.shop/
The Importance of Golf Nutrition - Episode 25
In this episode we speak to Chris Mandall from On Par Nutrition about the importance of what you eat and drink on the golf course.
The Open Experience - Tom Beasley - Episode 24
In this episode, we speak to Tom Beasley - The Chase Golf and Country Club about his experience trying to qualify for The Open Championship.
From Leek to LA - Harry Fearn - Episode 23
In this episode we speak to Harry Fearn of Leek Golf Club, Harry has an amazing amateur record and continues to grow and aspires to be a touring professional in the near future.
Top tournament results:
7th place England Boys County Championship Qualifier (69,69)
15th place 2016 McGregor Trophy (76,76,71,73)
8th place 2016 North of England U16 Championship (74,74,76,72)
23rd place 2017 North of England U16 Championship (75,75,75,72)
2018 Midland Youths Championship (72,74,70,74)
2017 Carris Trophy (71,74)
Leek Golf Club July Monthly Medal (67, -4)
Leek Golf Club Summer Medal (68, -2)
Leek Golf Club Pro Am (69, -1)
Alan Street - Junior Chairman - Episode 22
In this episode, Alan Street our Junior Chairman talks about managing and supporting our county juniors and bringing some of his experience from professional football into the world of golf.
Roger Howarth - Course Rating Team Leader & Referee - Episode 21
In this episode, we speak to Course Rating Team Leader and Staffordshire Referee Roger Howarth about his career in golf. Roger also questions some key questions about understanding the course rating process.
Jason's Journey to The PGA Tour - Episode 20
In this episode, we speak to former Staffordshire player, professional, and now professional caddie on the PGA Tour Jason Timmis. Jason takes us on a journey from the amateur game, to his life in America in college and now caddying for one of the best players in the world.
How to create a successful Junior Section & Elite Junior - James Turner - Episode 19
James Turner is part of the junior organising team at Trentham Golf Club, James is also the father of a young and upcoming junior in the county. In this episode, James talks about being a junior organiser and working with his son on developing him to become an elite level golfer.
Masters Special - When Ken Played Augusta - Episode 18
In this episode, Staffordshire golfer and official from Blythe Bridge & Whiston Golf Club Ken Horsleston shares his story of when he played Augusta National.
SUGC Podcast - Inspired Coaching with Kevin Craggs - Episode 17
- With IMG Since: 2019
Kevin Craggs joined IMG Academy in June 2019 as the Director of Golf. He brings more than three decades of experience to the role as a PGA Professional, with more than 25 years as a dedicated coach.
After playing on the European tour for several years, Kevin moved into coaching and for many years was the Scottish National Team Coach. He built his career on developing golfers at all levels, from the juniors through the professional ranks on both the European and U.S. tours. He has worked with the likes of Scottish golfing legend Colin Montgomerie and IMG Academy alumna Paula Creamer.
Over the past decade, his teaching methodology and philosophies have been featured in many of the most influential and top-selling golf publications across the world, including 12 cover story features.
Craggs joined IMG from Bishop’s Gate Golf Academy, where he served as Director of Golf Coaching and Instruction.
EXPERIENCE- Full time Tour Coach, 2016 - Present
- SGU Lead Performance Coach, 2014 - 2015
- SLGA National Coach, 2006 - 2014
- Full time Performance Coach, 2001 - 2005
- Golf Director & Head Instructor, 1996 - 2000
- Competed on Tours worldwide, 1990 - 1995
- Completed PGA Training, 1987 - 1989
- Turned Professional, 1987
SUGC Podcast - 100 Years of Staffordshire Union of Golf Clubs - Pippa and Andrew Dathan- Episode 16
In this episode, Pippa Dathan and Centenary President Andrew Dathan talk to us about the Centenary year in Staffordshire, what is occurring in this very special year, and the history of the county.
SUGC Podcast - Head PGA Professional - Drayton Park Golf Club - Daniel Whitby-Smith- Episode 15
Dan has over 12 years experience in the golfing industry and became a fully qualified PGA Professional in 2017. He has picked up a vast number of playing accolades along the way. These include over 50 professional wins worldwide and being the first ever player to win all 4 Staffordshire major titles in 2018, most recently in 2022 Dan represented GB & I against the USA in the prestigious PGA Cup! Dan manages and operates Drayton Park’s Professional Shop that provides expert customer service, lessons, custom fitting, and indoor virtual golf. Dan was crowned 'Breakthrough Professional of the Year 2021' in the Foremost Golf Industry Awards, a testament to his hard work and attention to detail.
SUGC Podcast - From Stoke to Savannah - Ken's Journey in Golf - Episode 14
SUGC Podcast - Nick Weaver - Episode 13
We sat down with the Immediate Past President Nick Weaver, to discuss the highlights of his time on the SUGC board.
SUGC Podcast - Andrew & Pippa Dathan - Episode 12
In the latest episode of the SUGC podcast we talked to Andrew & Pippa Dathan about plans for our centenary year.
SUGC Podcast - Mark Romasiuk - Episode 11
We sat down with England Golf Regional Manager for the Central region, Mark Romasiuk.
Hear what he had to say about all things golf in the Central region.
SUGC Podcast - Laura Yapp - Episode 10
We sit down with England Golf Staffordshire Club Support Officer Laura Yapp to discuss plans for 2021.
SUGC Podcast - Malcolm Eustace - Episode 9
In episode 9 we sit down with Ex- County Secretary Malcom Eustace to find out what the Union has been up to ahead of Golf's return on March 29th.
SUGC Podcast - Mark Ashton - Episode 8
In this episode we talk about Mark's golfing life and all things SUGC.
SUGC Podcast - Jenson Forrester - Episode 7
In episode 7 we sit down with up and coming golfer, Jenson Forrester.
SUGC Podcast - Charlie Burchall - Episode 6
In this episode we sit down with Development Chair, Charlie Birchall.
SUGC Podcast - Richard Mansell - Episode 4
We sit down with aspiring Professional, Richard Mansell, who takes us through his golfing journey so far.
SUGC Podcast - Malcolm Eustace - Episode 5
We sit down the County Secretary Malcolm Eustace to discuss the 2021 Championship schedule.
SUGC Podcast - World Handicap System - Episode 3
In this episode we sit down with Roger Howarth to discuss the launch of WHS, social scores and FAQs.
SUGC Podcast - World Handicap System - Episode 2
In this episode we talk about: The course rating process, understanding slope and course difficulty.
SUGC Podcast - World Handicap System - Episode 1
We sit down with development chair, Roger Howarth, to discuss this WHS.