New structure for England Coaching
Peter Mattsson, English Golf Union Director of Coaching,
today announced a new structure for the England Coaching and
International Teams, which will be put in place at the beginning
of the next season.
The 5 National Squads, Elite, A, Under 21, Under 18 and Under
16, will be run jointly by a Squad Lead Coach and a Squad
Manager with all aspects of the golf game being handled by
the Coach and administration issues by the Manager. Both will
be involved in each squad’s training and competition
events to ensure that players receive the required support
throughout the year. The Lead Coaches and Managers will all
report directly to Mattsson.
“With this structure we will clearly define the roles
of those involved in the management of the squads,”
comments Mattsson. “The coaches and managers will be
my ‘right hand’ when working with the players
towards our targets set for English Men’s golf. I believe
feel that the shared leadership of each squad will be a perfect
way to combine the strong volunteer support we have in English
Golf with the professional knowledge needed from the coaches.”
The managers and coaches appointed to each Squad
are as follows:
Squad - Lead Coach - Manager
Elite - David Ridley - Peter Mattsson
A - Gary Smith - Bob Meston
Under 21 - Graham Walker - David Oldcorn
Under 18 - Paul Ashwel - l Brian Roake
Under 16 - John Jacobs - Tommy Flinn
The Elite Squad Lead Coach, David Ridley, has unparalleled
experience as a coach at national level. As well as coaching
the Palmer Cup Team in 2002, with the assistance of Under
18 Squad Coach Paul Ashwell, and his previous England team
coaching he has also maintained an 18-year relationship with
Greg Owen, currently on the USPGA Tour and has himself enjoyed
a successful European Tour career. Mattsson will be adding
the role of Elite Squad Manager to his current duties, keeping
a close eye on the best England amateur players who will be
vying for places in the England Teams.
Gary Smith, a Fellow Member of the PGA, will continue to
lead the A Squad. A former Kenyan Open Champion, PGA Cup Player
and three times winner of the West of England PGA Championship,
Smith has continued his playing career in Seniors events.
He also has an impressive resume of amateur squad coaching
at County, Regional and National level. Bob Meston who is
named as A Squad Manager is a member of the National Coaching
Committee. Meston has an impressive record as an amateur golfer,
having held a category one handicap for over 20 years and
also international experience, having competed in the Indian
Amateur and Indian Open Championships.
Continuing his existing role as the Under 21 Squad Lead Coach,
Graham Walker also has several tour players currently under
his tutelage in both the men’s and ladies games. Kent
County Golf Union Coaching Manager of seven years, David Oldcorn
will join Walker as Under 21 Manager. Oldcorn will also be
keeping a keen eye on all of the National Squads in his continuing
role as an England Selector.
Paul Ashwell has been coaching the Under 18 Squad for three
years. Based at Wyboston Lakes Golf Club, Ashwell has served
as the Bedfordshire County Coach for over 15 years. Brian
Roake takes the role as Under 18 Manager and has six years
experience in the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxon Union
of Golf Clubs as a Junior Manager.
John Jacobs, Cumberwell Park Golf Club, brings 24 years experience
as a PGA Professional to the Under 16 Squad Lead Coach role.
Jacibs coaches at regional and county level and together with
Tommy Flinn, the Under 16 Manager he hopes to adopt an more
holistic approach to the youngest squad. Flinn is no stranger
to boy’s golf administration having spent over 12 years
on the Hampshire County Union Executive.
|
