What's Happening
Gary Presented with Advanced Fellow of the PGA Award
As accreditation of his prior achievement and learning, Gary has been awarded the status of Advanced Fellow of the PGA, and this week was presented with a plaque from Liam Greasley, South Regional Secretary of the PGA. The PGA's definition of an Advanced Fellow is someone who has a "very strong national - possibly international - reputation in one or more areas : Coaching, Course Design, Business, Retail, Equipment, Technology. Someone who has demonstrated strong leadership and has enhanced the world of golf". 17 December 2008
Gary Talks Short Game at St Andrews
This year Gary is presenting four seminars, entitled Passion for Short Game as part of the PGA's Continuing Professional Development programme. He has already presented at The Belfry and Wokefield and last week he went north of the border to the Academy of Golf at St Andrews, Scotland. Eleven qualified PGA professionals from Scotland, the north of England and Europe joined Gary to hear about his views and techniques of short game. The day consisted of a morning's powerpoint and video presentation, lively debate, followed by an afternoon of practical coaching by Gary at the Academy. Gary is delighted that 98% of the delegates from the three seminars rated his presentation excellent and gave some very positive comments ......
"Incredibly knowledgeable and great to listen to and learn from. Very impressive"
"Gary's delivery was professional, personable, his subject knowledge was first class, his demonstration was excellent and his ability to get people to do what he wanted was also first class. One of the best professionals I have had the pleasure of learning from."
"I came away more 'rev'd' up than any other seminar I have attended in a long time, thanks again."
"Very knowledgeable, with an excellent delivery. I found the course very beneficial to my game and coaching."
8 December 08
England Coaches Meeting in Spain
Last week Gary returned from a very productive EGU England Coaches' Meeting at Arcos Gardens near Jerez in Spain, organised by Director of Coaching, Peter Mattsson. The theme for the 2-day session was Coaches coaching Coaches. Gary gave a presentation on his beliefs and his approach to short game, followed by an on course practical session to improve the coaches own ability around the green. This was followed by further presentations including How Best to Formulate a Course Map by Graham Walker, Range Games by Paul Ashwell, Green Reading by David Ridley and Profiling Players by Hugh Marr. "This was a super opportunity" says Gary "to brainstorm the coaches' huge wealth of information and I sincerely hope we can repeat the exercise in the not too distant future". 28 November 08
Farren through to Stage 2
With an outstanding 5 under par 67 in the last round, Farren Keenan, secured a place in Stage 2 of the European Tour Qualifying School, which is to be held in the Andalucian region of Spain in three weeks time. Farren said "I played OK at the start of the event and maybe tried to protect the score a bit but felt really good before the last round and went for my shots and it was probably the best round of the year for me."
Farren has also been selected for the Men's England Squad which will no doubt entail a good deal of travelling to events probably all around the world and gives him the opportunity to receive full support with coaching, fitness and physiotherapy advice through the EGU coaching structure. Gary, as one of the England coaches, is looking forward to working with him within the England structure as well as being his personal coach. 29 September 08
Gary is off to Switzerland!
Gary has been invited by the Head Coach of the Swiss Professional Team, Graham Kaye, to attend the European Masters at Crans Sur Sierre, Switzerland, as a specialist short game coach to continue his work with the Squad. Gary says, "I am really looking forward to getting stuck in at a major European Tour event and following the work I did earlier in the year with the guys in Geneva, I am confident that they can put on a great show at this major tournament. I played in the Swiss Open in the 70's at Crans so it will be interesting for me to go back and see how the course has developed." 24 August 2008
Two of Gary's Students in England's Home Internationals Team
Both Sam Hutsby and Farren Keenan, who are coached by Gary, have been selected to represent England in the Home Internationals at Muirfield starting on 3 September. Gary says, "I am pretty sure this is the youngest ever team, the average age is 21, but don't underestimate the quality and competitive attitude of these guys. Following England's superb win last year in Ireland, I am confident that this squad of young players can do the business." Gary will be at Muirfield with the Team for the preparation days prior to the match together with Lead Coach David Ridley. They will be overseeing their on course practice, helping with strategy, work on enhancing team spirit and focus on short game strategy specifically for Muirfield. 24 August 2008 click here for Home International scores
Chris Lloyd wins North of England Boys Championships
Congratulations to The Kendleshire's Chris Lloyd, who last week won the North of England Boys Championship at Heswell by 5 shots, with a total score of 1 under par for the 4 rounds. Chris said to Gary "the last day was really tough!". Gary has been working with Chris on his short game within the Gloucester Squad and individually for some time with the idea of turning an already good short game into an outstanding one. Gary said, "Chris is recognised as having an exceptional short game among his peers and it has been a delight to be involved with a conscientious and hardworking young star in the making. He has really developed physically and technically over the last few years and there is no doubt in my mind that he is destined for an outstanding future in the game." 22 August 2008
Chris picked for Junior Ryder Cup Team
Chris Lloyd from The Kendleshire in Gloucestershire and member of the EGU England Under 16 Squad has been selected to represent Europe in the Junior Ryder Cup Team to be played in Kentucky, USA in September. This follows Chris's 5th place in The European Young Masters event in France. 29 July 2008
Cool Hand Luke wins South of England Amateur Championship
A Squad member Luke Goddard won the South of England Championship at Walton Heath last week, getting up and down from a green side bunker on the 18th to beat Elite Squad member, Gary Wolstenholme by one shot. Gary who was at the event for 2 days, said "Luke has been improving throughout this year and was a member of the Costa Ballena England team in January, where he showed tremendous fortitude in match play to be our best performing player and I am delighted he has now proved it in a major 4 round event. This win climbs him up to 5th in the current EGU Ping Order of Merit. 29 July 2008
Woody sensational in The Open
Chris Wood, from Long Ashton in Bristol, finished 5th yesterday in The Open, securing The Silver Medal with some draw dropping golf from start to finish. Gary said, "Wow, what a thrill for me to watch Woody play better and better as the Championship went on. I have worked with Chris on his short game for some time now through the EGU England Squad coaching system and Gloucester county coaching. His dedication and commitment to the task is unparalleled in amateur golf, in my experience and if anyone deserves success, it's Woody. Paul Mitchell, his life-long personal coach, must be congratulated for guiding him in the right direction and forging a great player/coach relationship. Everyone involved with Chris's development will be delighted with this awesome result. Go Woody!" 21 July 2008
What a year for Ellis!
There is no stopping Ellis Keenan! With numerous successes already this year, see below, Ellis produced more terrific golf to win The English Ladies's South East Championships last week. The sixteen qualifiers went to matchplay and in the final Ellis won 2&1, to become The Champion. 18 July 2008
Great golf Sam!
Sam Hutsby, who has been coached by Gary for a number of years, has run into some good form lately. He led the qualifiers for the British Amateur Championship at Turnberry with sensational rounds of 68,71 in extremely difficult conditions. As a member of the England Team that came so close to winning the European Team Championships in Italy last week, Sam scored an impressive 4 out of 5 points for the Team and was unbeaten during the week. Unfortunately England narrowly lost to Ireland in the final. Click here for EGU Report
Sam is currently ranked 3rd best player in England this year on the Ping Order of Merit and has been selected for the GB&I squad for the St Andrews Trophy, which is a strong indication for Walker Cup 2009 selection.
Also look out for a Golf Monthly article featuring Sam Hutsby and Gary, to be published soon, giving an insight into what they have been working on and the future plans for Sam. 9 July 2008
Ellis Keenan wins Bridget Jackson Bowl 2008
More outstanding golf this week from Ellis with 2 super rounds of 4 under and 2 under, gave her a 6 shot victory in The Bridget Jackson Bowl, a 36-hole EWGA Order of Merit event, held at Handsworth Golf Club in Birmingham. This win has further reduced her handicap from 1.5 to 0.5. Go Ellis! 8 July 2008
Farren Keenan wins The Berkshire Trophy 2008
Farren, who is coached by Gary, achieved a good win in The Berkshire Trophy yesterday, held at The Berkshire Golf Club, with a total score of 279 for the 4 rounds. In the final round he was 3 over after 9 but managed 4 birdies in a row to take the title by 2 shots. Gary, who was at the tournament for the 2 days, said "Farren showed grit and aggression throughout the event, producing some outstanding golf against a quality field. He is becoming a truly class player and I would expect him to represent England in the very near future". This week Farren is attending an EGU Performance Session at Woodhall Spa with Gary, EGU Elite Lead Coach David Ridley and Sports Psychologist Dr Brian Hemmings. 23 June 2008
Matt Haines wins Lytham Trophy, 2008
Matt, a member of the EGU's A Squad has won the Lytham Trophy at Royal Lytham and St Annes. A Squad Lead Coach, Gary Smith said, "Matt has been one of the star performers from my EGU A Squad. He has masses of talent and ability and is destined to become a future star in the game". Click here for details 2 May 08
Ellis Keenan wins Surrey Girls Championship and Hampshire Rose
Ellis, who has been taught by Gary for a number of years, achieved a double in April, winning firstly The Surrey Girls' Championship at Hankley Common GC (par72) shooting 74 and 70 to win the event by 16 shots! She then went on to win The Hampshire Rose event at North Hants, equalling the course record with her afternoon round of 67 (-6 under par) - scoring 30 on the back 9. She won by 5 shots. Acting as caddie for the event, was Ellis's brother, Farren, who is also coached by Gary and who finished with a good result himself, 6th in the Lytham Trophy and is currently lying in the top 10 in the Ping/EGU Order of Merit - watch this pair! 2 May 08
2nd Coaching Camp - Woodhall Spa May 2008
"Access to this level of coaching is rare"
"A superb coaching course for those who wish to improve!"
"Absolutely blinding!"
"Thanks for a great coaching course and a laugh"
These are quotes from some of the students who attended the second coaching camp last month. For this camp, England coaches, David Ridley and Gary Smith brought on board the EGU's Head Sports Psychologist, Dr. Brian Hemmings to work on the students' 6 inches between the ears!
David highlighted the long game issues and worked on the students individual technical swing requirements and Gary was instrumental in honing and introducing new thoughts and techniques on short game. It was a camp that reflected all that the highly successful and respected England coaching system has to offer, from early morning jogs, or walks, pre breakfast through to the end of day squad review session with Brian.
Gary said "I know all the coaches thoroughly enjoyed their involvement with the players and I am delighted that each student not only enjoyed the experience but took away some really valuable information to help them reach the next level in their golf. Everyone got on great and there were plenty of laughs along the way". 9 June 2008
