Former Owl dreaming of Glenmuir success

Former Sheffield Wednesday youth goalkeeper John Mellor is hoping to get his hands on afirst-ever visit to Blairgowrie this summer in the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship.

The 43-year-old will be among a highly competitive field taking part in the regional qualifier at Moor Allerton on May 15 in the hopes of claiming a place in the £78,700 final.

An ex-European Tour player, Mellor never looked back after leaving the Owls aged just 14 to pursue his dream career as a professional golfer.

Yet in 14 years on Tour the PGA Professional never once played the famous Perthshire venue, an anomaly he is looking to end this year by securing a slot in the Peugeot-supported showpiece on August 5-8.

“It’ll be a new experience going up to Blairgowrie if I manage to qualify for the final,” Mellor enthused.

“I’ve not played there before so it would be really good to have the opportunity to tee up there for the final.

“I want to do well and I do have that expectation of myself. I’ve never played in the Glenmuir before but hopefully I will be one of the qualifiers.”

Now a reputed golf coach at the Oaks Golf Club in Sheffield, Mellor enjoys passing on the experience he has gathered from years at the top of his sport to local golfers.

“I do enjoy all my coaching,” Mellor explained. “It’s great that I can do that while still playing too.

“I’ve been doing some work with England Golf, and also with the East Midlands regional squad so I’ve been busy.

“It’s good to be able to draw on my experience and use it to help other golfers improve their games.”

A keen sports player in his youth, Mellor was swayed towards a career in golf after two of his uncles gave him some second-hand clubs.

“I just enjoyed being an individual and completely in control of my own success,” he explained.

“I wanted to work hard and be in control of my own destiny, and I loved the way that golf offered me that.”

Matthew Eagle, UK and Eire sales director at Glenmuir, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our sponsorship of the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship, which is very well respected as the flagship event for PGA Professionals in Great Britain and Ireland.

“Once again the schedule promises to take in a number of outstanding courses, with Blairgowrie offering a fine venue for this year’s final in August, which is sure to be as intriguing as ever.”

“We look forward to another exciting tournament, and wish all the competitors the best of luck ahead of the event.”

Other golfers competing in the Glenmuir PGA Professional north east qualifier include: Alex Boyton (Skidby Lakes), Martin Forster (Tynedale), Andrew Herridge (Leeds), Fraser Kelley (Scarborough North Cliff) and Martyn Stubbings (Rockliffe Hall).