Earlam driven to make big impact

New Saddleworth Golf Club professional Andy Earlam.

ANDY Earlam isn't prepared to sit back and enjoy the stunning views at Saddleworth Golf Club.

Although still finding his feet, the new professional has big plans for the Mountain Ash course.

At 30-years-old, he is one of the youngest club pros in the region and hopes his youthful enthusiasm will rub off on to the next generation of golfers.

"Getting to know the members, that's the priority at the moment and then move forward," said Earlam.

"The role is always evolving, so it's important to be one step ahead of the game and come up with new ideas.

"I'm going to develop a swing room and studio. They've got a building at the back of the 18th - in fact, it used to be the old clubhouse at Oldham - which I'm looking to use.

"I've already changed the shop around and with junior co-ordinator Steve Asquith we're putting on coaching sessions on a Sunday, from 3pm to 4pm. It's £4 a child and we had 21 turn up last week.

"It was great to see so many children at the club and the aim is to get a strong junior team and section at the club.

"We've got 50 ladies on a free membership and I'll put on some coaching sessions for them as well."

Earlam, from Stalybridge, was 10 when he first got hooked on golf.

He joined the Stamford club and, showing a talent for the fairways and greens, went on to captain the junior team.

However, at 16 he decided that football and rugby was for him and golf took a back seat.

Two years later, he was back playing regularly again.

After giving university a swerve, Earlam trained as a joiner at night school.

Golf was still very much part of his life, though, so he decided to take the plunge and swapped a saw for a sand iron.

He became assistant pro at his first club Stamford in 2012 and three years later got the top job at Oldham.

"I was offered the position a week after I qualified," said Earlam, who is married to Helen.

"It's been tough, though, as the wage fall from being a joiner in a workshop to being an assistant pro is quite big, but the hard work has paid off as this is something I've always wanted to do.

"There is plenty of competition out there, what with American Golf and the other online stores. You've got golf pros who use Youtube as well, which is something I want to do.

"I've also started my director of golf qualification, but getting the job here and with the baby coming along, I've had to put that on hold."

There is plenty to keep Earlam busy, but he won't be giving up on his clubs.

"It's important as a golf pro to play," he went on. "You've got the business side of it, teaching as well, but playing is equally as important.

"I turned pro because I loved playing golf, it's not because I wanted to sit in a shop, so I will definitely want to get out there, playing with members at the weekend and in the Manchester Alliance and Lancashire PGA events across the region."