Staffordshire Union of Golf Clubs Podcast

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 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.

In this episode, we speak to Nathan Hirst - County Player and representative from Srixon, Cleveland, and XXIO Golf.

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.

In this episode, we speak to Tom Beasley - The Chase Golf and Country Club about his experience trying to qualify for The Open Championship.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

In this episode, Staffordshire golfer and official from Blythe Bridge & Whiston Golf Club Ken Horsleston shares his story of when he played Augusta National.

• 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.

• 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

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. 

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.

We sat down with the Immediate Past President Nick Weaver, to discuss the highlights of his time on the SUGC board.

In the latest episode of the SUGC podcast we talked to Andrew & Pippa Dathan about plans for our centenary year.

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.

We sit down with England Golf Staffordshire Club Support Officer Laura Yapp to discuss plans for 2021.

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.

In this episode we talk about Mark's golfing life and all things SUGC.

In episode 7 we sit down with up and coming golfer, Jenson Forrester.

In this episode we sit down with Development Chair, Charlie Birchall.

We sit down with aspiring Professional, Richard Mansell, who takes us through his golfing journey so far.

We sit down the County Secretary Malcolm Eustace to discuss the 2021 Championship schedule.

In this episode we sit down with Roger Howarth to discuss the launch of WHS, social scores and FAQs. 

In this episode we talk about: The course rating process, understanding slope and course difficulty. 

We sit down with development chair, Roger Howarth, to discuss this WHS.