McLauchlan takes the helm as head PGA Pro at Letchworth Golf Club

13/07/2024

Neil McLauchlan has started the process of building a PGA stronghold at Letchworth Golf Club, now officially working as head PGA professional at Letchworth since May 1^st when he switched across from nearby Hertfordshire club, Chesfield Downs.

He brought lead county coach James Clark with him and also recruited PGA trainee Matt Crowhurst, who has extensive fitting experience from a five-year stint at Titleist’s National Fitting Centre.

The trio are working alongside Matt Wheeler-Bailey, already at Letchworth after the recent completion of the final year of his PGA Foundation Degree and graduation to full PGA member status.

And the pro shop has been further bolstered this summer with McLauchlan taking on a Letchworth member, who plans to start his PGA training soon. Also, the club is developing an apprenticeship opportunity that will add another to McLauchlan’s impressive Letchworth team.

“We are actually going to have six pros on site here,” said McLauchlan. “We’re building up a complement of professionals with very good knowledge and skills in different areas – that’s the idea.”

McLauchlan has been flat-out busy since joining from nearby Chesfield Downs but has enjoyed getting stuck into his new role.

“Letchworth Golf Club, within the area of North Hertfordshire where I was born, raised and live, has always been well renowned,” said the 40-year-old. “To work at a golf club like this was always something that you would want to achieve. It’s a great move and a definitely a positive one.

“Obviously there was a lot to do, taking over from the previous professional. When head pros leave, all the stock goes, so it is always a big job to come in – there was a lot of work to be done in the shop, but it has been a good process. The members have been great, very helpful, and very engaging, often coming here and chatting. So that’s been nice. It has been a really positive transition.

“For the past five years at Chesfield, I’ve only been coaching. But previously I was running a shop and doing that role as well. I’m excited to get back into that side of the business – retail and fitting – being able to offer that holistic approach to golf improvement.”

McLauchlan’s team will have an array of facilities at their disposal to assist with their work.

“We’ve got a grass range and a covered range as well,’ said McLauchlan. “We’ve also got a fitting room, a great putting green and a six-hole par-3 course. The facilities are first class for coaching. A lot of clubs don’t have the benefit of having this type of facility. A lot of clubs would be lucky if they’ve got a practice ground, just because of space and land. We are very lucky and the appeal of coming to work here was a no-brainer.”

The comprehensive practice set-up plays to McLauchlan’s strengths as a PGA coach with a strong book of clients.

“I do about 35 to 45 lessons a week,” he said. “In the summer it would be maybe even 50. I’m working my backside off coaching, but I’ve still got to build a shop – the stock, the admin, the payroll. We’ve got to maintain the coaching as that is what brings the money in through every avenue. If you’re coaching a lot, you’ve got an instant rapport with the people you’re trying to sell golf equipment to so the idea is that you have to be busy coaching.”