James’ juggling act

James Watts just about found the time to squeeze in winning Qualifying School in a manically busy early spring schedule that also includes getting married and first-year exams as a PGA Assistant.

Factor in also that he is the general manager at Kingsway Golf Centre, just south of Cambridge, and you can understand why he says, “I’ve got all sorts going on at the minute!” 

Watts, 30, turned professional in 2010 and has played plenty of tournament golf on the Challenge Tour and PGA EuroPro Tour. But in 2018 he will be seen in competitive action in the PGA in England (East) order of merit events after triumphing in the first of the region’s two Qualifying Schools.

He fired rounds of 69 and 68 to end up a four-shot winner on seven-under-par. As someone who has attended the European Tour Qualifying School a few times he came with a plan of exactly what was required to get the job done. “You’ve got to take your time, try and eradicate errors and just nick a few birdies when you can,” he says.

“I hadn’t set myself a schedule for what I wanted to do this season. Now I’ll definitely play in all the order of merits.”

Watts also is keen to bring teams to regional pro-ams as well as probably play in the regional Trainees’ Championship. Then there’s the PGA Assistants’ Championship which he’ll be aiming to qualify for.

It’s all a bit of juggling act for Watts who started work at Kingsway in late 2015. At the outset it was only meant to be a six to eight-week job. But one thing led to another and here he is two and a half years later enjoying the variety that the role allows him.

There is a nine-hole course alongside a pitch and putt as well as a driving range that Watts oversees in his role as site manager. The variety ensures that he is learning every day, not least with his trainee hat on under the guidance of PGA Professional Chris Hattersley.

It’s not quite ‘all work and no play’ for Watts. On Friday, April 6 he is marrying Kerry before jetting off to the Maldives for their honeymoon. Mind you, with those exams beckoning he won’t be downing tools while he is away.  Watts explains: “I’m going to be doing a lot of revision sitting on a beach!”