Davis ready to chase the pack in Ireland

Chase Davis admits 2017 is shaping up to be one of the biggest years of his life.

The Norwich professional will be getting married in September.

But for now, Davis is focusing solely on his first appearance in the Titleist & FootJoy PGA Professional Championship.

The Marriott Sprowston Manor Hotel professional qualified for the event at Gog Magog Golf Club near Cambridge in May.

And now he will be heading for the £78,000 grand final which takes place between June 13-16 at Luttrellstown Castle Golf & Country Club in Co Dublin, Ireland.

“It’s a big year, there’s the wedding, the Titleist final, the Order of Merit events - plus a stag do to think about at the end of August,” smiled the 29-year-old.

“They know what they can and can’t do to me!”

Davis says preparation is all important when it comes to the final and that he learned a lesson from his days as a PGA Assistant.

“This’ll be my first Titleist final, I didn’t get through last year as I had a bad round at Gog Magog,” explained the 29-year-old.

“This year was better. But I did play the PGA Assistants’ final one year when it was in Coventry.

“I drove straight there without a practice round and tried to do it that way.

“But it was too hard and I missed the cut, I was poor.

“So I’m making sure I’m better prepared for this one. I’m going over on the Sunday before the event.”

Davis’s ambitions lie in the playing side of the game - but he is also building a reputation as coach too.

“I do a lot of junior coaching which is helpful,” he said.

“That includes some disability work as well, I stepped in when one of the professionals said he couldn’t do it, I was happy to do that but wasn’t sure what it involved.

“But once I’d done five weeks at a day centre I really enjoyed it. I did another disability workshop at the University of East Anglia.

“I’m based in Norwich now after doing my PGA training in Essex, I came back two years ago,

“But I’ve always wanted to play more and still do.

“The coaching hasn’t taken over yet though! I won’t give in. Playing and coaching is the dream.”

Davis admits he is unfamiliar with the Luttrellstown course.

“Not only have I never played in Ireland, I’ve never been to Ireland,” he said.

‘I’ve heard good things from some of the guys so I’m looking forward to it.”

Other players from the East of England taking part at Luttrellstown Castle include: Mark Talbott (Thorpe Hall Golf Club); Andrew Pestell (Chelmsford Golf Club); Stephen Harris (The Shire London); Sam Teer (Clacton Golf Club; Ian Ellis (Gt Yarmouth & Caister Golf Club); Stuart Brown (Thorpe Wood Golf Course) and Jason Levermore (Little Channels Golf Centre).