History man makes his mark

A passion for golf history and antique clubs has ended up with Iain Forrester running a successful European wide business.

Holland-based Iain Forrester returned to England to be presented with PGA Advanced Fellow Professional recognition by PGA captain Nicky Lumb at the PGA’s annual general meeting at Association headquarters at The Belfry.

Forrester revealed that initial rejection when the APAL (Accreditation for Professional Achievement) awards were launched more than a decade ago had spurred him on to do a PGA Advanced Diploma.

The Scot, who has 500 classic golf history books, turned a hobby into a business and now runs the successful antique golf club company www.hickoryclubs.eu hiring old hickory clubs throughout Europe as well as lecturing on the subject.

He is also an expert exponent of the art of playing with hickory clubs with a European, Dutch, French, English and German titles under his belt.

In addition he is also the head PGA Professional at Hoenshuis Golf and Country Club in Limburg, combining teaching, club fitting and committee duties.

His career highlights include playing on the Dutch Tour between 1989-2006 where he won several tournaments and was in the top 25 of the order of merit for 15 successive years.

Forrester has also achieved qualified TPI certified status, is a FlightScope instructor and is LAWS Level 1 qualified (Dr Jim Suttie’s instructional system based on biomechanics).

In addition he is the archivist for the PGA of Holland and has twice presented at the Dutch Teaching and Coaching Conference.

“I’m delighted to receive this honour which really started back in 2004 when I was one of the first pros to make an APAL application,” said Forrester who started his career as an assistant to Bill Bennett at Alloa in the early 1980s.

“I got a very friendly letter and while I was initially declined, being the impatient sort I started the PGA Advanced Diploma and the skills I’ve learned have enabled me to enjoy the career I have over the last decade.”

Dr Kyle Phillpots, the PGA’s executive director – education and global development, said: “It’s always good when you can provide a good example of a clear link between career success and achievement and Iain has made a big impact in Europe where he has been a club pro since 1988.”