NEWS

News Release 16 March 2006

PGA Golf Management strengthen coaching team at St Andrews Links Golf Academy

PGA Golf Management has appointed the former United Arab Emirates (UAE) national coach to become the latest member of the coaching team at St Andrews Links Golf Academy.

Simon Plumb has joined the academy from the Nad Al Sheba Golf Club in Dubai where he spent five years coaching, among others, the UAE’s U-18 National Team to their first international title at the 2005 Arab National Championships in Syria.

The new golf academy is currently under construction with a scheduled opening in spring. It will be at the heart of the extended Golf Practice Centre and will comprise four teaching studios equipped with cutting-edge digital and video analysis equipment and specialist ball-tracking technology.

Simon becomes the latest member of the PGA Golf Management team of instructors at the academy led by director of coaching Steve North. Welcoming Simon’s appointment, he said, “We are delighted to have secured an instructor of Simon’s standing and experience. He will play a major role in developing the academy and ensuring we deliver the highest standards of coaching. Simon is experienced in using digital analysis technology and this will be extremely useful at the academy which will provide some of the best facilities to be found anywhere in Europe.”

Before moving to Dubai, Simon was the Head Professional at Aldwickbury Park Golf in Hertfordshire, working with many of the county players and setting up the area’s first School of Excellence for talented juniors. He began his career at Potters Bar Golf Club where he followed in the footsteps of Tony Jacklin and worked very closely with Ian Connelly, the man responsible for introducing Nick Faldo to the game.

Keith Haslam, operations director at PGA Golf Management, said, "Simon will be a key member of the team and I’m sure local and visiting golfers will benefit from his expertise. The academy will be a major new facility at the Home of Golf which will place St Andrews at the forefront of golf coaching around the world.”

For more information about the golf academy or to arrange a lesson contact 01334 474489 or visit www.standrews.org.uk.

Ends.

Media contact

Mike Woodcock
Communications Manager
St Andrews Links Trust
01334 466610

E-mail mikewoodcock@standrews.org.uk