Ross takes up exciting new role in Belgium

With an International career already spanning three decades, Mike Ross has recently taken up a new position in Ypres, Belgium. Matthew Davies, Regional Manager for international Members speaks to Mike about his new role.

Please tell us a little about your new position and the club in which you are now working and what your new role entails.

I have taken up the position as Head Professional at Palingbeek Golf & Country Club in Ypres, Belgium. Palingbeek is a thriving club with 960 members, extending at the end of the year from 18 to 27 holes, and a new driving range with an investment of €1.5M, hosting 20 state of the art TopTracers. I will have responsibility for all the academy services and will be running the hardware part of the shop business.

How long had you been working in Spain, and have you worked in any other countries outside of GB&I?

I have worked for the past 3 years in Spain after having worked for 20 years previously in The Netherlands. Sandwiched in between were 3 years at Vale do Lobo, Portugal. Prior to moving to Europe in 1996, I started out at Links (Newmarket) Golf Club and then for a short period at Mendip Spring.

What is it that you are most looking forward to in this new role?

I am really looking forward to being back working at a Members club, working again as a Club Pro. Hopefully seeing the Members on a regular basis and helping them to improve and enjoying their games.

What attracted you to move to Belgium in particular?

I had lived in Belgium before, when I was working in Holland, and I really like the way they approach things, so this was a big attraction to moving back there. My Dutch wife, Liesbeth and I were married in Belgium, and I still had a Belgium driving license so again that is a positive. Also being able to speak fluent Dutch will makes life much easier.

Why did you decide to move into this new role?

When you get a chance a like this, to work at a super club like Palingbeek, and with the fantastic new facilities that we are building, then it’s difficult to say no. Especially as well when I have so many fond memories of Belgium. Spain has been a difficult place to work during the Covid outbreak and I had decided that after 3 years I needed a new challenge.

What are the main differences between your previous role and your new role, and especially the differences you see between golf in Belgium and on the Costa Del Sol?

I am back to being a Club pro again which is great. The job in Spain was mainly teaching holidaymakers, where there is often no follow up so it is difficult to have an impact in one lesson. To see people making progress, taking lessons on a weekly basis is very satisfying and this role will allow me to get back to that again. Palingbeek resembles being at a private members club back in the UK, with an established membership. Most courses in the Costa del Sol are chasing the green fee holiday market so the business model is very different, and that dictates the atmosphere at most clubs.

How did you come to be offered your current role?

I had put out feelers to contacts in Belgium and Holland just before Xmas, after we had sold our house in Spain. I received the first phone call on February 1st in Spain asking if I was interested, and on March 1st I was giving my first lesson at Palingbeek!

• Categories:
• International