James eyes Powerade success

Ambitious Liam James is determined to build on an impressive debut year in professional golf when he returns to competitive action this spring.

The Robert Rock Academy assistant PGA Professional is hoping to taste success in the event that gave him his first experience on the national stage, the Powerade PGA Assistants Championship.

The 20-year-old from Birmingham made the cut and secured 25th position last year, playing in a strong field which was eventually topped by former European Tour player Matthew Cort.

If he is to once again make the final, James will need to come through the midland regional qualifier, which will take place at Henley-in-Arden on May 8.

And should he claim a qualifying berth at the end of the day’s play, he will make his return to Coventry Golf Club for the £32,500 FootJoy-supported showpiece on June 11-13.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” James enthused. “It’s a really good event, and the final is played over three days which gives you some great experience of what it’s like to play tournament golf.

“Obviously I have to qualify first, but if I do then I would love to push on for a top 10 finish.

“There are some incredibly good players in this tournament so it will be difficult, but it also adds to the experience and allows you to take so much away from it.”

While James maintains ambitions of one day making a living on the course, he is keeping a level head under the guidance of an experienced team of professionals at the Robert Rock Academy.

His mentors, former European Tour pro Tom Whitehouse and ex-PGA Cup player Danny Taylor, have been offering advice as James tries to work his way up the golfing ladder.

“I’m just trying to take everything one step at a time at the moment,” James confessed.

“I think all of us [young golf pros] dream of a playing career one day, but at the moment I’m concentrating on succeeding at regional level, and I know that the guys at the club will give me advice on how I can keep progressing my game.

“Obviously one day I would love to give qualifying school a go, but at the minute I am really enjoying my role in the club. I love coaching and I can feel my game improving all the time.”

As part of James’ training he is completing the PGA’s degree programme, which provides young golf pros with all the skills they need to carve out a career in the sport, from coaching and sports science, to rules and repairs through to business and marketing.

“I’m really enjoying the degree programme,” James said. “I’m coming into my third year now and it’s helping me learn so many different things about the sport, while helping me to improve my own game as well.

“It’s very rewarding and once I have that degree it will be an achievement that no-one will ever be able to take away from me.”

Ahead of the event Luke Young, national and key account manager for Coca-Cola Enterprises, whose products include Powerade, said: “We are delighted to once again support this prestigious tournament which will culminate with a final at Coventry Golf Club in June.

“It is an event which has a long history of showcasing outstanding golf from some of the country’s best young players, and I look forward to watching what will undoubtedly be another exciting Championship this year.”

Other players competing in the Powerade PGA Assistants Championship midland regional qualifier include: John Bandurak (Great Barr), Kristopher Bielecki (Izaak Walton), Phil Dye (The Belfry), Bhavin Gandhi (Hollywood), Fred Jewsbury (Stratford on Avon), Adam Keogh (Spalding) and Matt Stephens (Birstall).