Lovely Jubb-ly

A long-serving Norfolk PGA Professional with a host of happy golfing memories is aiming to tee up one for his club captain in the Golfplan Insurance PGA Pro-Captain Challenge.

Mike Jubb, head PGA Professional at Sheringham Golf Club, teams up with Ken Potts in the qualifier at John O’Gaunt Golf Club on Monday August 18.

The pair will be up against 63 other clubs each jostling for victory with the winners going through to November’s £25,000 grand final in Turkey at Antalya Golf Club’s PGA Sultan course.

Down the years, Jubb got to know and play against the legendary Gary Player, and hopes to give his ten handicap partner captain a day he’ll never forget.

“It is a long way over to John O’Gaunt but over the years I think the PGA Pro-Captain tournament has become more prestigious with better venues being used so it’s something to very much look forward too,” he said.

“The captain is a reasonably competitive player, who plays off ten, so I thought I would treat him to a day out.

“The game plan is to enjoy ourselves, make sure the captain has a day to remember and try and be competitive to give ourselves a chance.”

Jubb, who joined the club in 1996, is just the fifth head PGA Professional in Sheringham’s long 123 year history – a course described by Sir Henry Cotton as ‘one of the best kept secrets in golf’.

“It is a very traditional golf course but with a modern approach and it is important to maintain the traditions of the club,” says Jubb who is a past captain of the Norfolk PGA and its current chairman.

Jubb was a relative latecomer to golf but career highlights include winning the East Anglian U21 Championship, the Norfolk Open, seven Norfolk Alliance titles and several East Region pro-ams while he relishes his role at Sheringham.

“I didn’t take up golf until I was 16 and sort of fell into it, it’s a hobby that has become a career. I do enjoy the club life although it is hard work sometimes at 7.30 on a Sunday morning but it has its rewards. There are other jobs and perhaps more money in other industries but the bigger picture is about quality of life.”

One man to make a big impression on Jubb was Player as well as the likes of major champions Lee Trevino and Nick Price who regularly competed in one of the east region’s biggest pro-ams.

“Gary Player was very down to earth and the thing that impressed me was that he was extremely professional and hard working. He, and all the other big players, were all very nice people but with total self-belief which can come across as arrogance but is in fact self-confidence.”

Other clubs in action at John O’Gaunt are Basildon, Bush Hill Park, Colchester, Great Yarmouth & Caister, Thorpe Wood, Sleaford, West Essex and Woodbridge.

Douglas Young, managing director of Golfplan, added: “We are delighted to once again to be supporting this event.  We have close associations with The PGA and in 2014 Golfplan celebrates 30 years of working together with PGA Professionals.

“During this time we have been privileged to developed close relationships with PGA pros from across the UK who have given us vital support in creating our specialist golf insurance product. 

“The PGA Pro-Captain Challenge has proved to be a popular event in the golfing calendar and we wish all the entrants the very best of luck.”