Professionals Profiles
Jamie Wood
Senior PGA Professional
Jamie started playing golf at the age of eight in his home town of Bath, Somerset. After attending university in Portsmouth for four years Jamie decided to take the step into Professional golf.
In 2001 Jamie joined the Professional team at The Belfry in the UK where in 2004 he completed his PGA training, graduating as the Titleist Trainee of the Year.
Whilst working at The Belfry Jamie was involved in many aspects of the business. The Belfry annually played host to the Benson and Hedges European Tour Event and was also the venue of the 2002 Ryder Cup. During these times Jamie experienced first hand how the games stars prepare themselves to compete at the highest level.
Whilst at the Belfry Jamie received training from the likes of Peter Cowen, Claude Harmon, and John Mathers. Jamie was also involved in the setting up and running of the Titleist Custom Fitting Suite.
Having spent five years at The Belfry, in August 2005 Jamie took up the position of Teaching Professional at Nad Al Sheba Golf Club in Dubai and two years later he moved to Emirates Golf Club.
Taking on the role of Senior Professional at the Club has allowed Jamie to become involved in not only delivering instruction but also in the setting up of lesson programmes. One of his key objectives was to introduce golf to as many youngsters as possible. A year later the Emirates Golf Academy is now proud to run one of the region’s biggest junior programmes, as well as working with many local schools.
As with the other Professionals, Jamie works hard to maintain his own game and in 2009 qualified for, and played in, both the Abu Dhabi Championship and the Dubai Desert Classic on the European Tour.
Dave Adams
PGA Professional
Dave started playing golf later than most budding professionals at the age of 15 at Hallowes Golf Club in Sheffield. It did not prevent him from moving on to the honourable standard required to represent his county. While being coached by Peter Cowen Dave turned professional. He took his PGA training under the watchful eye of Philip Dunn and also shadowed Peter Cowen to learn more about the art of coaching others in his spare time.
With the successful completion of his PGA diploma exams he started his posting in late 2003 at The Peter Cowen Golf Academy in Dubai. Due to the teaching environment and standard of golfers visiting, Dave has steadily been able to develop his teaching skills.
He has taken the opportunity to shadow Peter Cowen working with Soren Hanson, Thomas Björn, Henrik Stenson, Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood.
By frequently attending PGA seminars Dave has increased his knowledge and skills to communicate with golfers of all ability levels in a simple, effective way. Now as part of the new Golf Academy at Emirates Golf Club he is looking forward to a new opportunity to pass on the knowledge he has gained over the last four years.
Dave has worked to maintain his own golfing standard by frequently playing with members and visitors. He also holds the UAE Matchplay Championship for 2005 and played in the 2007 Dubai Desert Classic, part of the European Tour Schedule, having won the regional qualifying event.
Stephen Deane
PGA Professional
Stephen’s professional career started in 2004 at the prestigious Royal County Down Golf Club under the supervision of the 2006 Irish PGA Captain Kevan Whitson.
An honours graduate in Golf Management from Central Lancashire, Stephen is an accomplished teacher and player. Having travelled to Hong Kong, Spain and now Dubai to teach the game, Stephen brings with him a wealth of knowledge to pass on to his pupils. Being an experienced teacher of children using the YMG syllabus, development of young golfers is one of Stephen’s areas of expertise. An attendee of several teaching conferences, he has the latest techniques and methods on hand to improve your game.
As a player, Stephen has competed in some of the major events in Ireland such as the British Assistants Championship and other Irish Order of merit events.
As a key staff member during preparations for the Seniors British Open Championships, Ladies’ British Amateur Championship and Walker Cup which were held at Royal County Down, Stephen is used to working at a venue that hosts major events.
Alastair Brown
PGA Professional
Alastair started to play golf at the age of 12. He grew up on the world famous links of Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland, which is the only Irish course to host the Open Championship.
After finishing grammar school, Alastair attended college in Belfast where he studied in Business and Management. During this period he also worked for sports group I.M.G. and had responsibility in the set up and running of the Senior British Open for five years.
At the age of 23 Alastair returned to Royal Portrush where he turned Professional in 2002. Under the supervision of Head Profesional Gary McNeill, one of Ireland’s leading instructors and the former Irish MacGregor Teaching Academy Director, Alastair learned the art of delivering lessons in a relevant and simplistic approach. Alastair has worked with players of all abilities from Irish University and High School teams to introducing the game to a large base of beginners.
Alastair had a long competitive Amateur career playing in National Junior and Senior tournaments from the age of 15. Since turning Pro he has competed in many Irish Order of Merit events including the Irish P.G.A. Championship.
At 29, Alastair looks forward to furthering his teaching career on the Golf Academy at Emirates Golf Club and competing in UAE Tour Events.
Marcus Casey
PGA Professional
Marcus started his golf career in Durban, South Africa. After a successful amateur career he moved to Ireland where he started his golfing career at the Island Golf Club. Marcus was approached by the prestigious Portmarnock Golf Club to take up the role of Senior Assistant Professional. Upton completion of his PGA Diploma course Marcus established ActiveGolf. ActiveGolf was Ireland’s first high performance golf centre. Whilst at ActiveGolf, Marcus was appointed to the position of Head Professional at the Island Golf Club.
Marcus was then offered the Position of Director of Coaching with the South Australian College of Elite Golf. Whilst in this position Marcus was named as Head Coach and High Performance Manager for the State of South Australia. This role gave Marcus exposure to some of the games top coaches and sport scientists.
Marcus’s approach to coaching is a holistic approach. He believes that in order to reach your full potential every aspect of your game must be analysed and tested. He believes that a golf lesson should leave the pupil inspired and informed on how to reach their golfing goals. Having taught every level of golfer, from complete beginner to successful tour player, Marcus is taking golf lessons and training to another level.
Jonathan Craddock
PGA Professional
Jonathan has always been a keen sportsmen and it was at the age of sixteen that he turned his attention to golf. Taking to the sport at a fast pace achieving a first handicap of nine and then reducing this to five within the same year. It was at this time he was offered a position working at a local golf course under the supervision of Head Professional David Dunk.
During Jonathan's PGA degree, under the wing of the professional, he became the senior instructor at the local driving range teaching golfers of all levels. Developing his popularity meant that Jonathan was recruited by local Government Authorities and given the opportunity to teach golf, not only in schools but at summer camps and various leisure centres where he used various TRi Golf techniques.
Jonathan aims to provide a welcome atmosphere for all levels of golfers. Using a structured programme for beginners and assessment profiling for the more advanced golfer.
Having competed on the PGA Europro tour and Regional PGA tournaments Jonathan still maintains his competitive edge, whilst looking forward to enhancing his coaching career at the Emirates Golf Club within the Golf Academy.
Andrew Matthews
PGA Advanced Professional
NLP Master Practitioner
Sports Hypnosis Practitioner
Having achieved the honour of representing his county Andrew turned professional in 1992 under the supervision of ex European tour player and county coach Peter Barber at Didsbury golf club, Manchester. It was during this time he developed his passion for coaching and high levels of customer service.
Having worked both in the UK and in Europe, his career progression has led him to different golf industry roles including a successful period as the Head golf professional at a busy members club.
Andrew is qualified in various areas of coaching and specialises in the mind/body link using NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) and Sports Hypnosis. These specialised skills compliment his ability to coach the physical aspects of golf in a simplistic results orientated manner. Combining mind and body coaching in a standard lesson format is a unique feature of his skill base. Andrew has conducted various clinics and workshops on the subject of the mental game, gaining a reputation as an agent of rapid change. Mind and body are linked – Train them both.
In 2006, he was awarded the PGA Advanced Level status in recognition of his achievements and continued growth within the golf industry.
Andrew is now looking forward to becoming an integral part of the Emirates Golf Academy by incorporating his NLP and Sports Hypnosis skills into the existing Academy lesson packages.
Andrew Meech
Golf-Specific Gym Instructor
Andy has been involved in the health and fitness industry for 10 years. Coming from a football, squash and golf background, Andy has experienced the lack of knowledge that today’s general public and athletes face with regards to corrective exercises, chronic pain relief and nutritional demands, all of which have an impact on peoples lifestyles.
Andy is a certified C.H.E.K (Corrective Holistic Exercise Kinesiology) Practitioner from one of the world’s leading exercise institutes.
Rosemary Rhodes
Golf-Specific Physiotherapist
Rosemary has been a qualified physiotherapist since 1987. She specialises in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries (including spinal and soft tissue problems) with a particular interest in postural imbalances and core stability.
After studying with Ramsay McMaster in the UK and Australia, and having attended the 2006 and 2007 Titleist Performance Institute World Golf Fitness Summits in Florida, she provides postural screenings for golfers. This includes video analysis and golf specific exercise programmes, working proactively with golfers and their coaches to improve posture and fitness for golf.
Rosemary now works with all levels of golfers from club golfers and elite amateurs to European, Challenge and Asian Tour Professionals.
If you require treatment for an injury or are interested in a screening please contact Rosemary on 050 684 0193
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