Injury-jinxed Johnson aims to bounce back in 2016

One of the men behind Sheffield’s most exciting new golf facility is determined to bounce back from injury and make 2016 his most successful playing year to date.

Tom Johnson has found his season curtailed by injury in each of the last two years but, buoyed by a new job as the teaching professional at iGolf Studio, is looking to hit the ground running this time around.

That effort will start at the north east qualifier for the Titleist & FootJoy PGA Professional Championship, the flagship tournament for club professionals in Great Britain & Ireland.

His campaign will begin at Fulford, above, on April 21 where he will hope to secure a spot in the £78,000 championship final, to take place at The Oxfordshire in July.

Thanks to the fact his new workplace can stay open round the clock, Johnson has found extra time to practise while still having ample time to coach golfers at the state-of-the-art facility to the north east of the steel city.

“It’s been really exciting to be part of the studio since it first opened in August,” Johnson enthused.

“It’s had so many great things said about it since it opened, from visiting PGA Professionals to your ordinary golfer who visits for a lesson.

“And because I can teach any time I want, it means there is more chance for me to practise too, which is ideal when I’m looking to have a good playing year this year."

If he is to do that Johnson is going to have to overcome the injuries that have undermined his efforts to compete over the last two seasons.

“I’ve been really disappointed to have my last couple of years disrupted by injury – but I feel good at the moment and I’m just hoping that I get a little bit more fortunate with injuries than I have done recently,” he explained.

“I’ve played Fulford before and it’s a great place to start the year. It’s a good course and one that I’ve really enjoyed playing in the past.

“Hopefully I perform well on the day and make it through to the final.”                      

Other players competing in the regional qualifier at Fulford include: James Bisby (Burstwick Country Golf), Carlo Ciullo (Hull Golf Club), Craig Fricker (Styrrup Hall), Dayne Hawkins (Flamborough Head), Richard Pace (One Stop Golf) and Michael Ramsden (Renishaw Park).