Akers aims high at Belfry

An ambitious PGA Professional is aiming to build and develop a holistic junior golf programme at The Belfry Hotel & Resort.

Phillip Akers joins the four-time Ryder Cup venue as the new director of junior golf at its PGA National Golf Academy.

Akers comes armed with the experience of having designed and delivered the Future Elite (FUEL) Golf Programme in Yorkshire, where he worked as golf programme director at Oulton Hall Golf Academy.

Prior to that he was previously head PGA Professional at Deer Park Hotel, Golf & Spa in Ireland. He has been coaching since 2010 and qualified as a PGA Class A Professional in 2011.  

“I am extremely excited to be joining the PGA National Golf Academy as it’s such a world-class venue,” stated Akers.

“I am a passionate coach with a desire to be working with European Tour players in the future. Having developed my knowledge through work with a range of players, from children taking their very first golf shots to professionals on the EuroPro Tour, I enjoy developing young golfers of all levels and abilities.  

“My aim is to implement the UK’s leading junior golf development programme, and ultimately create the largest hotbed of young golf talent in the country.

“I’ll be taking a holistic approach to junior coaching with a philosophy of developing the person first, the athlete second and the golfer third.”

In line with this approach, the new junior programme will have a unique grading and credit system where children are motivated to develop their social, physical and golfing skills in a fun, friendly and informative environment.

Akers will work under the academy’s director Rob Spurrier, who took up his role earlier this year and has hired Akers as part of his aim to take The Belfry Academy on to the next level of excellence, as the centre of golf performance in the UK.

“Thanks to his experience with juniors and his incredible ambition, Phillip makes for a fantastic addition to the team,” added Spurrier.

“Our aim is ultimately to make the PGA National Golf Academy into the ideal place for anyone to learn and develop their golf, and establishing an excellent specialist junior programme is a huge part of that.

“Phillip will have some of the finest facilities in the UK at his disposal, and I know he’s excited about using them to create a hub where junior golfers of all levels can get the best out of themselves.”

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