Stafford striving to inspire students

Success, especially early success, can breed complacency.

Co Cork based professional, Ian Stafford, admits there was a period in his career when he got into what he describes as 'a bit of a rut'.

 “I suppose I achieved quite a bit early on. I was coaching Irish amateur ladies teams at the European Championships as a 27-year-old,” Stafford said.

“I thought maybe I didn't have too much more to learn but, in this business, more and more club professionals are focused on coaching because other sectors are getting more difficult. It's an extremely competitive industry.

“I sat back for a couple of years but I have learned that sitting back is going backwards.”

Stafford has developed a strong coaching business around his home base of Bandon which includes three main attachments: Innishannon Golf Range, Lee Valley Golf Club and Kinsale Golf Club.

“It's only in the last few years that I have come full circle. I am more eager to learn now than I ever have been and I believe learning off my peers is as big a help as anything else,” Stafford added.

“These days I'm always bouncing things off guys that I work with especially Ger Broderick down at Kinsale Golf Club.”

The busy 36-year-old was recently accorded the status of Fellow Professional along with Killarney's David Keating. Stafford has his sights set on achieving Master Professional status down the line but there's more to his quest than simply professional development.

He explained: “I have a motto as a coach 'I would never expect anything of anyone that I wouldn't expect myself'.

“I can't look someone in the eye and tell them how they can reach a goal if I am not personally driven and not keen to move forward. Who am I to preach to other people?

“Part of our role is to inspire golfers and they respond if they see that you are out there striving to reach new levels.

“The bottom line is that if I don't have that little bit of personal and professional drive I'm simply not doing the job I should be doing.”

APAL Council Recommendations – Feb  2018
Fellow Professionals – Ian Stafford, David Keating
Advanced Professionals – Mark Heinemann, Mark Ruddy

The APAL scheme (Accreditation of Professional Achievement and Learning) operated by The PGA identifies PGA Professionals who have gone on to demonstrate higher levels of knowledge and skill in a variety of roles. The highest status of Membership is a 'PGA Master Professional'. 

This Membership is only awarded to qualified Members held in high national or international esteem who has made a significant contribution to the development of golf as a player, coach, administrator, or course designer.