Youngsters are the future of golf.
And they will be a major focus of Tom Wild who took over from Parnell Reilly at Bradley Park on November 1.
Tom is very much looking forward to his new role in 2015 and his mission is to make golf available to all people at all levels and ages – from the complete beginner to the more experienced golfer.
The main thrust of Tom and his five-man team in the pro shop will be to attract more people into the game, and helping many to learn how to play.
He and Kirklees Active Leisure, which manage the golf course and facility, are currently looking at different membership rates to suit as many different pockets as possible.
There are also plans for a series of junior coaching sessions, as well as classes for complete beginners.
Tom, 30, said: “I am really looking forward to this next year. The first two months have been spent getting everything in place, but now I’m ready to move forward with some exciting plans.
“Bradley Park is one of the best municipals in the country and we want to get it on the map.
“KAL are keen to develop this facility; they have seen a big increase in gym membership and are hoping to do the same for golf and get more people playing the game.
“They are really good with junior development and encouraging an active life and we will be bringing that here.
“We are already working with about a dozen schools.
“We will be opening three academies for juniors: one for tots, another for the middle age group and then a junior academy.
“We want to make Bradley Park more family orientated and have loads of plans, it’s just a question of fitting them all in!”
Tom, 30, has taken on quite a job.
He is responsible for the management of the 18-hole golf course, the par three course, the clubhouse, professional’s shop and driving range.
He joined Bradley Park straight after his degree in Applied Golf Management at Birmingham University and his PGA qualification and has worked his way up to the top job.
The driving range alone is a major facility in summer, when the 10,000-capacity golf ball machine may have to be filled more than once a day. The range is popular with people of all ages and backgrounds and Tom is hoping to attract more of them into playing golf regularly.
He and KAL are also hoping to offer a club membership which will appeal to people who do not have the time to play golf every week.
In addition, there are the constant technical advances in golf equipment which his staff have to keep up-to-date with.
His aim for the professional shop is not only to be competitive on price, but for him and his staff to give service second to none.
He said: “Parnell did a fantastic job over 30 years and I am hoping to build on this. The internet offers a lot of golf equipment, but it can’t match us for service.
“We are intending to become more of a custom fit centre; these days all golfers want their clubs custom fit.
“There is a lot of competition, nearly every golf club in Huddersfield has a new professional and they are all working hard to get members and provide a service.
“We have a brilliant staff here and we want to be inclusive. We want to make people aware that golf is for everyone, no matter who they are, and get them out there enjoying the game.”
