Harry setting sights on earning PGA pedigree

Bristol Golf Club assistant Harry Baldock admits he wants the ‘prestige and honour’ of being a member of the PGA.

The 19-year-old is in his first year of PGA training and is working towards being part of what he believes is one of the greatest organisations in world sport.

Baldock is set to tee off in the Galvin Green PGA Assistants' Championship West qualifier which is being held at Bristol & Clifton Golf Club on May 10 and features players from Wales and the west of England.

The assistant professional will be hoping to reach the £32,000 grand final at Coxmoor Golf Club in Nottinghamshire between August 2-4.

Baldock is a relative newcomer to the Bristol area having being born in Hampshire and then spending time in Abu Dhabi due to his father being a pilot.

But now he has his sights firmly set on becoming fully fledged PGA professional.

“It’s too early to say which direction I want to go in yet, but I think you’d be crazy to try and get anywhere in the sport without a PGA qualification,” said the former pupil at Somerset’s Millfield School where he also played competitive golf.

“I think it’s one of the most prestigious three letters anywhere in world sport.

“It shows you’re worthy, you have the pedigree and that you’ve done all the hard work needed.

“I’ve been playing golf since I was three and when I was in Abu Dhabi, I played on some amazing courses, but this is what it’s all about now.”
Baldock may be a member of Bristol Golf Club, but he lives close to the Bristol & Clifton course where the west qualifying event is being staged - and it will be virtually on his doorstep.

He has been practicing along host assistant professional Nick Ramshaw in the build up.

“I’m based in Long Ashton and I can almost roll out of bed and be at the course,” he explained.

“But I’m really looking forward to playing in a PGA event. If I never do anything else in the game, I can always say I’ve done that.

“To reach the final would be even better.

“I’ve only been in Bristol for about nine months though. So I’ll be getting in some practice with Nick before the event.”

Other assistants from the Wales and west of England due to take play at Bristol & Clifton Golf Club include: Hannah Bowen (Swansea Bay Golf Club); Adam Curtis (Bude & N. Cornwall Golf Club); Adam Keates (Bigbury Golf Club); Jack Roberts (Celtic Manor Resort Ltd); Joe Lovery (Gloucester Golf Centre) and Giles Bryan (Yeovil Golf Club).