McLauchlan’s vision for Letchworth as he takes on head pro role

McLauchlan’s vision for Letchworth as he takes on head pro role

26/09/2024

Neil McLauchlan is busy creating a framework for success and progression for his fellow PGA Professionals, building a dedicated team to meet the needs of both members and visitors.

Custom fittings in a state-of-the-art studio, coaching on expansive practice grounds and offering friendly and informative advice in the pro shop are all part of the Letchworth vision and Neil has already made his mark at the Hertfordshire club.

The 41-year-old has arrived wanting to serve club members, the wider Letchworth community and beyond. And he is aiming to deliver his ideas with a PGA Team of no less than six, four of whom are qualified and two that are just starting out on their Foundation Degree training. Each of the team has very defined roles, all based on serving McLauchlan’s vision for a golf academy at Letchworth.

The word ‘academy’ brings junior development to mind – and, indeed, the club’s 135-strong juniors community is a huge part of the deal for McLauchlan. But there is far more to his academy approach at Letchworth.

“We want to be everything to everyone for golf,” explains McLauchlan, who officially became the club’s head professional on May 1 after switching from nearby Chesfield Downs Golf Club. “Equipment, fitting, coaching – the idea is to build an all-encompassing golf academy fitting the needs of every golfer. And we’re using the academy as our customer base. Our idea is to get the academy busy. If the academy’s busy, all those people will buy here. This pro shop is a revenue stream for us and we have an opportunity to grow that.”

To assist with his vision for a financially viable pro shop, McLauchlan has called on a couple of his best contacts. James Clark, 32, has joined as lead coach after also coming across from Chesfield Downs – and Matt Crowhurst, a former fitter at Titleist, is available to members and any outsiders wishing to access his expertise.

Another key cog in the wheel is Matt Bailey, who was at Letchworth pre-McLauchlan and brings continuity, especially when it comes to the club’s busy junior coaching programme. Indeed, one of those to benefit from the junior set-up at Letchworth is club member Hayden Shackloth, taken on in the spring by McLauchlan as a trainee. The latest recruit to his team is 18-year-old Sian Pickford, whose time is split working in the office (20 hours) and the pro shop (10 hours).

“The team are driven,” says McLauchlan. “They want to build something here alongside each other and I think that’s really important. That’s my job to make sure those guys are enthusiastic and incentivised to develop.”  

And the last point is key for McLauchlan who has strong views when it comes to ensuring that his people can progress their careers within the PGA framework. He is keen for all of his qualified professionals to build their skill-sets and grow their individual worth through the appropriate pathways.

“We’re going to pick some courses over the winter, getting them involved in PGA Excel and PGA Learn,” says McLauchlan, outlining future personal development plans for his staff. “If you don’t invest in them, it’s pointless. They’ll become disillusioned. The minute they become disillusioned and don’t want to do it anymore, they’re not earning money and become a burden.”

McLauchlan is also putting his time and finance into his trainees Hayden and Sian (the latter is a joint-venture in alliance with the Mike Amos Letchworth Golf Foundation).

“I went through the programme,” says McLauchlan of the PGA Foundation degree training. “I’ve brought five or six trainees through the programme including James – and Matt Crowhurst did a bit of work with me when he started. So, I think it’s imperative that we do develop the trainees.”

In McLauchlan’s mind, he is running a business in which his employees can climb the ladder. It’s a business in which he is currently sitting at the helm, but one that – if it proceeds as envisaged – that he can promote from within and employ additional staff, as well as further trainees in the future.

“I want to be able to pass this on to somebody else in 15, 20 years’ time – somebody who works for me,” he adds. “It’s not just bringing on the trainees, it’s also bringing on the qualified professionals to a level that they’re comfortable running a business.”

That far-sighted outlook has helped create an enjoyable and inspiring atmosphere for those employed by McLauchlan. And life is never dull for those working for the current incumbent of the Letchworth head pro’s seat. “He’s on it all the time,” says Matt Bailey about his employer. “He’s constantly got new ideas every day.”

McLauchlan is also a very visible presence out there on the practice ground , taking care of the long list of clients that he coaches.  Letchworth pro shop’s busy boss clearly sets the tone around the place – and he is thinking big.

“Our vision is to come in and develop an academy that is, within reason, unrivalled…help the golf club raise its profile and standing. Not just locally – nationally.”

 

Meet the team

Name: Neil McLauchlan

Role: Head PGA Professional

Age: 41

Check out…neilmacgolf.co.uk for an up-to-date insight on everything that McLauchlan is masterminding from the Letchworth Golf Club pro shop.

Neil says: “Letchworth Golf Club, within the area of North Hertfordshire where I was born, raised and live, has always been well renowned. To work at a golf club like this was always something that you would want to achieve. So it’s a great move and a positive move.”

Name: James Clark

Role: Lead Professional

Age: 32

Did you know…? James is a lead academy coach within the Hertfordshire Golf set-up and oversees talented juniors aged between 9 and 12.

James says: “My ambition in the future is to have something of my own; my own academy, a head pro’s role. So I’ve come here to learn a little bit more, learn how the shop works, what it takes to be a head professional; the business side. That’s the bit I probably lack. Neil was the first person to ever give me a job. So when he had this opportunity, I thought now is the time to explore that option.”

Name: Matt Bailey

Role: Coaching

Age: 24

Did you know…? Matt followed his brother Luke down the PGA pathway…Luke is the head PGA professional 11 miles east at Royston Golf Club.

Matt says: “My plans are to continue to build my client base here. The aim is to specialise in a certain area. Putting has always been a big interest and now with the use of Capto and, potentially, a putting studio, I want to explore this further. PGA Learn is going to have a massive impact on this in developing my knowledge as a PGA professional.”

Name: Matt Crowhurst

Role: Custom fitting and Coaching

Age: 33

Did you know…? Matt underwent his PGA training in his late 20s while working as custom fitter for Titleist.

Matt says: “I’m not here just to do fittings – I’m here to coach as well. I know what Neil’s about, I get on with him and I know that we can work well together. And I like the vision that he’s got, where he wants to take the golf club and the opportunities we can offer to non-golfers as well as golfers.”

Name: Hayden Shackcloth

Role: First-year PGA Trainee

Age: 18

Did you know…? Since taking up golf as a 15-year-old Hayden has received coaching from James Clark – and now he is working beside him.

Hayden says: “Ever since I started having my lessons with James. I wanted to do coaching, help people with their golf. I’m really looking forward to all four aspects of the degree, but my end goal is full-time coaching.”

Name: Sian Pickford

Role: First-year PGA Trainee

Age: 18

Did you know…? Sian played in the successful Herts team that contested the six-county 2023 East Region Girls County Match Days.

Sian says: “My goal is to be a golf coach. I never wanted to be a tour pro – I prefer helping people over having the spotlight on me. I’m excited to start everything, learn new things about the game that I don’t know. There’s so many pros from me to learn from here – they’re all good in different departments.”

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