
Andrew is our resident PGA pro and is looking forward to moving over to the new pro shop in the new Country Club.
Read more about Andrew in his bio:
I was born in 1977 in Bridgwater and have yet to escape! I am married to Rachael since July 2005 and we have a two children Ebony) and Logan.
The reason behind me starting to play this game was really my grandfather, Les Alison, who was a past captain of Enmore Park. Unfortunately he suffered some health problems in the early 80’s and due to that had to stop playing on the hilly terrain at Enmore, so came to Brean. At a similar time he had dragged my dad out on to the golf course after he had given up playing hockey for Bridgwater. Strangely enough my first memory of a golf course is at Brean when it was only 12 holes (I think) and pulling my dad’s trolley around one Saturday afternoon so for me to become the Head PGA Professional and Director of Golf here has seen things turn full circle.
At the age of 7 I started attending Junior Group lessons at Enmore Park and was usually there come rain or shine much to the dismay of Martin Keitch, the then assistant to Nigel Wixon. After a year or so of these lessons I joined the Junior Section of the Club and remember my first round of 18 holes totalled 161. Thankfully I have improved!
My handicap started at 33 and dropped to 18 within a year and then steadily fell each year from then onwards. By the age of 13 I was playing off of a 5 handicap and had received recognition by both the County Schools and the County Junior sides. In the following years I represented the Somerset at Juniors, Colts and Men’s level as well as having the honour of representing my country for England Schools. I played two games and remained unbeaten claiming 3 ½ points out of 4. During my time in Junior golf I was lucky enough to play with some of the household names of the world tours today. These include Sergio Garcia, Luke Donald, Justin Rose (I actually beat him twice in one day around Wedmore in a county schools match), David Howell, Simon Dyson and of course my good mate David Dixon.
In the winter of 1995 I decided I had better get myself some work to help finance the following summer’s golf as I planned to play the Amateur circuit. I ended up doing some temporary work in Bridgwater, initially for just 2 weeks but I was still there 3 months later. Then in January 96 I had a phone call from the Professional at Burnham and Berrow asking if I was interested in taking a position as a trainee professional there. After thinking about it for less than 10 seconds I agreed and started my work towards becoming a PGA Professional which I had wanted to do since starting secondary school. For the first year the plan was to stay amateur but that was extended to two as I suffered a bout of glandular fever within 3 months of starting at Burnham which put paid to most of that season. At the end of 1997 I took the plunge and signed the forms relieving me of my amateur status and my scratch handicap. The training was a start stop affair as the PGA started a new programme mid way through my first year meaning I frustratingly had to start all over again. I passed all the required exams so I was now a PGA Qualified Professional. I remained at Burnham for 12 years. That came to an end when I approached David Haines to see if their might be a position arising. Having known David for over 15 years I knew we would be able to work together easily and after a few months of discussion I had made up my mind that I was heading down the road to Brean. It is a decision that I don’t regret for one moment and over 10 years later I am still really enjoying working here.
I also sit various PGA committees’ and currently serve as Chairman for both the PGA West Region and the Gloucester and Somerset PGA Committees. With each of the seven Regional Chairmen making up the National Executive Committee so the name of Brean Golf Club is recognised and known well within the upper echelons of the PGA. Previously to these roles I have served on the general committees and was privileged enough to Captain the County in 2010 and then the Region in 2014.
Along with the day to day duties at Brean I also aim to keep playing as regularly as I can, unlike some other local professionals, as I see playing the game as an important part of my role. I have always maintained that although this is my job I still play to enjoy the game and the day I come off the golf course having not enjoyed it will be the day I stop playing. Hopefully that day will never come!
Away from the golf course I am an avid watcher of many sports (much to Rachael’s annoyance!) with Speedway and Rugby being top of my list when time allows. I even try to combine these sometimes and have now run 6 successful golf days since 2013 for our local Speedway team, Somerset Rebels.
Aside from playing this great game I also really enjoy seeing people of all ages learn and improve at the game. If anyone feels they are in need of some guidance or a quick MOT for their game then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me at Brean and we can get to work to enhance your enjoyment of the game to.
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