Matt’s the man at Ingrebourne Links
02/02/2023
Matt Stables is set for a busy 2023, his first year as head PGA Professional at Ingrebourne Links in Essex.
Matt has joined the host venue of the PGA’s East Anglian Open after working as ‘golf development professional’ at Golf Kingdom.
Below, the 46-year-old talks with excitement about his new role at Ingrebourne Links, plus he outlines his pride at being the current Essex PGA captain – and shares his continuing passion for playing competitive golf.
How did your move from Golf Kingdom to Ingrebourne Links come about?
I was approached for the role by Dominic Eagle, who is the general manager at Ingrebourne. Dominic and I had some great discussions and we were on the same wave length.
Why do you think Ingrebourne Links chose you for the job?
Shared vision and having a win-win approach. You have to look at how you can add value to the facility and the facility have to want you to do well. I have been in situations where this wasn't the case and I see other professionals where it is lose-win or win-lose.
What are the key elements of your role at Ingrebourne Links?
Coaching, golf development and creating engagement with the membership.
Tell us about the facilities at your disposal at Ingrebourne Links…
We are very fortunate in that we have everything you would want. We have a championship golf course build to high spec which can play up to 7,200 yards, a fantastic clubhouse with great staff plus a gym and spa. We have a Toptracer range which has and is undergoing a considerable upgrade with new balls, targets, mats, 15 new Toptracer bays and coaching studio. We also have the Mini Links Par-3, a short-game area and large putting green.
Ingrebourne is a new facility which has only had 18 holes open since 2019 and it is maturing all the time. There’s also a further nine holes in construction. We have a great course manager in Ben Adams, plus a great location near London, just one mile away from the Dartford Tunnel
What are you hoping to deliver in terms of service to the members?
Engagement with the club and the game. I feel to retain golfers in the game and at your club, engaging with them is the key. You have to have a number of different strategies to do that. This will involve coaching, playing, social events and being effective in communicating your message and value.
You have to look at how you can add value to the facility and the facility have to want you to do well.
- Matt Stables - Ingrebourne Links (Head PGA Professional)
How involved are you going to be in encouraging junior golf at the club??
We are relaunching the Junior Academy. We are working with the Golf Foundation on a development plan with the aim of having a 100 kids a week involved in coaching. We are reaching out to some local schools as well. We have a superb 9-hole Mini Links Par 3 course which is ideal for kids to develop their game. We will also put a team in the Golf Sixes league which is great for the kids. I will be aided in all this by (assistant PGA professional) Jon Moreline.
Covid has seen a great influx into golf but with busy memberships and tee sheets it has seen juniors pushed down the pecking order. This is something we all need to reprioritise.
What PGA events are at Ingrebourne Links this year?
We will be hosting two prestigious PGA events again this year. We will be holding the Essex Open and Pro-Am in May. Then we will be holding the East Region Order of Merit event, the East Anglian Open, in August. We are proud to host the events and look forward to welcoming all the PGA pros.
It’s quite a momentous time for you isn’t it as you’re also Essex PGA’s current captain…does your history with the county’s PGA, indeed Essex golf, go back a long way?
Yes, I have been playing the regional and Essex PGA since 2004. My history with Essex Golf goes back even further as I learnt my game at Upminster Golf Club and played for Essex amateur teams from under-14's all the way up.
It was a great honour to be asked to be Essex PGA Captain this year. It has worked out great as we are in the middle of a three-year run to have the Essex PGA at Ingrebourne Links and to be the head pro and Essex captain in the same year is a great honour.
You’ve been an active playing member within the region for many years. How’s your game and what’s your schedule looking like for 2023?
Yes, I still love to play and compete even after all these years. I try to organise my time so that I can. Another reason I am excited about joining Ingrebourne is it has all the facilities to help my game. I am playing in all the Essex PGA events and I will play a good amount of the East region schedule. Plus, I’m working on playing the top-100 courses in England. I am on 82 at the moment so hope to knock a few more off this year.
