Mankert's journey to becoming the 65th PGA Master Professional

21/02/2025

Leicester Golf Centre’s Anders Mankert recently became the 65th PGA Member to achieve Master status. His journey from rescuing an abandoned golf course to creating a thriving, inclusive golfing hub is nothing short of remarkable.

Less than a decade ago, the site formerly known as Oadby Golf Club was overgrown and forgotten. The greens had become dense with thistles, while waist-high grass swamped what had once been meticulously shaped fairways. Today, the landscape is unrecognisable, featuring a beautifully revived woodland golf course, a state-of-the-art Toptracer range that attracts golfers of all levels, and a space-themed adventure golf course, complete with UFOs and rockets designed to captivate visitors of all ages. “I have no rules at all,” says Mankert, reinforcing his vision of a golf centre that removes traditional barriers to entry.

Before launching Leicester Golf Centre, Swedish-born Mankert was head professional at Cosby Golf Club, where he built a successful teaching and fitting business from the ground up. With a tireless work ethic, he transformed the pro shop, constructed a studio, and developed a reputation that drew golfers from across the UK. His dedication was recognised when he achieved Fellow status with The PGA and received an England Golf Lifetime Achievement Award. However, changes in club management led to challenges that eventually prompted him to seek new opportunities.

His defining moment came when Leicester Racecourse sought proposals to revive the long-abandoned Oadby Golf Club. Competing against well-established companies, Mankert pitched his vision with passion and conviction. Though initially overlooked in favour of a larger firm, fate took an unexpected turn. Months later, when no progress had been made by the selected company, Mankert took the initiative to call the racecourse and ask if discussions could be reopened. They were receptive, and he soon found himself presenting his case once again.

“I stood in front of them and told them exactly what I was going to do and exactly what I wasn’t going to do,” Mankert recalls. “I made not one promise I couldn’t deliver.” His honesty and clarity resonated with the board, and negotiations soon progressed. However, securing the lease came with its own challenges. Determined to bring his vision to life, Mankert sold his car, his watch, and anything else of value to raise the necessary funds. At one point, he even offered his family home as a personal guarantee. Fortunately, the racecourse board refused to accept this condition, stating they were not in the business of putting people under undue financial strain.

With the deal finalised, Mankert now faced the enormous task of resurrecting Oadby’s neglected fairways and greens. Throughout 2018, he split his time between Cosby and the new Leicester Golf Centre, teaching in the mornings and mowing the overgrown course in the afternoons. His wife and father joined him in the effort, and together they worked tirelessly to restore the land. By October of that year, the doors of Leicester Golf Centre officially opened, initially offering a Toptracer driving range. By the following spring, the golf course was playable once more.

From the outset, Mankert’s approach defied tradition. Leicester Golf Centre became a place where anyone could play, regardless of their experience or attire. “I created a golf centre without rules,” he explains. “There’s no dress code. If they want to play in football shirts, I don’t care. If two guys share one golf bag, that’s fine. I even provided free clubs for people who didn’t have their own equipment.”

The centre quickly gained popularity, attracting both seasoned golfers and complete novices. However, no amount of planning could have prepared Mankert for the challenge that arrived in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the country into lockdown. Unlike private members’ clubs, which could rely on subscription fees to sustain them, Leicester Golf Centre was entirely dependent on footfall. With no income and expenses piling up, Mankert and his team calculated that they could survive until September at best.

Despite the dire circumstances, they refused to let the course fall into disrepair. “Me, my 75-year-old dad, and my wife carried on mowing the golf course and raking bunkers. Somebody had to do it; we had no staff.” Demonstrating remarkable resilience, he also made the bold decision to overhaul the greens, using the downtime to relay them with purpose-grown turf. When golfers finally returned, they were greeted with vastly improved playing surfaces, a transformation that cemented the centre’s reputation for quality.

Since then, Leicester Golf Centre has gone from strength to strength. Mankert has continually upgraded the facilities, adding an outdoor seating area, a café, and ongoing refinements to the adventure golf course. Today, the centre is one of the busiest in the UK, a testament to Mankert’s vision and relentless commitment to excellence. “Our standards are everything to me,” he says. “The golf balls on the range must be spotless, the mats in perfect condition, the tables clean. Attention to detail matters.”

His enthusiasm remains as strong as ever. “I love walking around, chatting to customers, and making sure they’re having a good time. That’s not a job—it’s a privilege.” Yet, he has no intention of resting on his laurels. “I’m only 51,” he says. “We’re just getting started!”

Anders’ PGA Excel Journey

Anders Mankert’s PGA journey began in the 1990s and reached its pinnacle in 2024 when he became only the 65th PGA Member to achieve Master Professional status. “To reach that level, which is the ultimate goal for any PGA Pro, is quite unbelievable,” he says. “To be mentioned alongside people I admire, including some of my idols, is incredible.”

His upgrade was attained through PGA Excel, a digital platform that allows members to showcase their achievements and progress within the industry. Mankert is a strong advocate of PGA Excel, believing it enables professionals to set themselves apart. “The system makes it easy to compile your qualifications and accomplishments in one place. Sometimes, you don’t realise just how much you’ve achieved until you take the time to document it.”

Previously, the process was paper-based and laborious, requiring extensive documentation. The transition to a streamlined digital format has made it significantly more accessible. “I gave myself six months to put it together,” Mankert says. “I’d deliberately leave it for a while and then come back to refine it. The ability to dip in and out made the process far more manageable.”

He firmly believes that every PGA professional should embark on their own PGA Excel journey, not just for recognition but for career development. “When I’m hiring staff, it’s something I look for,” he explains. “It shows me that someone is proactive and invested in their career.”

With an unwavering drive for excellence and an ever-expanding vision, Anders Mankert’s story is one of determination, ingenuity, and a deep love for the game of golf. As he continues to push boundaries, Leicester Golf Centre remains a beacon of innovation, proving that golf can be both accessible and extraordinary.

To find out more about PGA Excel, click here.