Rob right for Woodbridge

Robert Joyce is all set to swap his role as head PGA professional at Felixstowe Ferry for the same post at Woodbridge Golf Club.

He will make the short trip north beside the River Deben to start at the renowned heathland course on October 15.

The move offers a fresh challenge for him after six enjoyable years at Felixstowe.

But it also represents a change of policy at Woodbridge where the professionals have been employed by the golf club in the recent era.

The appointment marks a return to the more common situation which sees a head PGA professional retained under self-employed terms.

And the transition has been facilitated by PGA Business Relationship Officers Joe Kelly and Fiona Champness.

General manager and long-term PGA professional Sean Clark explained: “As a committee-led club we had to consider all the options.

“We had to find the best fit for the club and Joe and Fiona came along to speak to myself and the chairman. Joe was very helpful in explaining the scenarios.

“In the end we decided to go down the route of retaining a self-employed professional.

“We had a good number of applicants, which we shortlisted to seven and then got down to two for final presentation with business, coaching and financial plans.

“It was a very tough choice; two very good candidates but Robert had the edge in a couple of areas.

The professional’s shop will be closed for a short while ahead of Joyce’s arrival for a complete refit.

Clark added: “This is an opportunity for us to have a new identity. If someone came in with similar stock, the same shop fittings, it would seem that only the personnel has changed – and it’s going to be so much more than that.”

Joyce will be switching along with Peter Latimer, his assistant professional at Felixstowe Ferry. The third professional in the shop will Robert Salter, who has recently qualified at Woodbridge.

The experienced PGA professional, who held a card on the European Tour in the 1980s, is buzzing about the new opportunity that lies ahead of him.

He said: “I’m really thrilled to be going to Woodbridge and am looking forward to another challenge. I do like a challenge!

“I’ve lots of ideas and I’m really excited about it all. There is already a strong team in place and it’s really good to have this chance to become a part of it.”

The new job brings an additional bonus for Joyce in that he won’t exactly have to go house-hunting.