Cuddington pro eyes return to old stomping ground

• Chris Corry set to tee up at Tyrells Wood for Titleist & FootJoy PGA Professional Championship qualifier
• Recent graduate from The PGA's Foundation Degree has landed plum job as assistant director of golf at Cuddington
• He is eyeing a long-term career in golf club management

An aspiring golf club manager from Buckinghamshire is looking to earn a return to an old proving ground and make his mark on The PGA’s flagship tournament.

Chris Corry, assistant director of golf at Cuddington in Surrey, spent many of his amateur days playing the championship course at Burnham and Berrow Golf Club.

Now the 29 year old is one step away from a final over the Somerset venue in what would be his biggest playing challenge to date, the Titleist & FootJoy PGA Professional Championship on June 2-5.

Corry, who is in his first year as a fully-qualified PGA Professional, must first come through the regional qualifier at Tyrells Wood on May 8.

Should he make it to the final a total prize fund of £91,500 will be up for grabs, as well as six places in the Great Britain and Ireland PGA Cup team to face the United States at CordeValle, California in September.

“I’m confident that I’m up to the challenge if I bring my best game,” Corry explained.

“The standard in the south region is really high so it won’t be easy – you only have to look at someone like Matt Ford [who played in the region before progressing onto the European Tour] to see that.

“It’s been a busy start to the year with a new job so I’ve not had as much chance to play as normal, but I’ve got my new set of clubs and I’m feeling good.

“Burnham and Berrow is familiar to me having played there as an amateur so it would be really nice to go back there for the final of this.”

Corry, who didn’t take up golf until he was 14, sees his long-term future in management rather than playing, taking the decision to earn his stripes under Paul Schunter at the Banstead venue.

And he admitted the first few months since his January start have been a whirlwind as he adapts to his new role – which itself brings up a number of challenges.

“It’s been busy but I’m loving it so far,” he explained. “It’s definitely where I see myself taking my career.

“As a director of golf you need to be prepared for absolutely anything, it is literally an A to Z of what goes on at a golf club.

“Normally my days involve teaching, organising the shop or sorting things for the members. You are literally at the heart of the golf club making sure that everything is taken care of.

“This is a great stepping stone for me and is definitely giving me all the experience I need to be able to go into a director of golf role.”

Matthew Johnson, Titleist brand director, said: “We are really excited to be sponsoring a tournament that sits at the pinnacle of The PGA schedule, providing PGA Professionals with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills at the highest level.

“This year marks the first in a new four year partnership between Titleist and The PGA. It is a relationship we are proud to expand in order to help serious golfers of all abilities, from competitive club-based professionals to club golfers, shoot their best scores.

“We look forward to meeting competitors at the regional qualifiers and the final at the magnificent Burnham and Berrow in June and wish everyone taking part the very best of luck.”

Other players competing in the Tyrells Wood qualifier include: Christian Askins (Radyr), Daniel French (Hilden Park), Joseph Jezzard (Stonelees), Paul McNulty (The London), Thomas Muchmore (Ashford) and Steven Rastall (Silvermere).