Truman tees up with childhood coach

Steven Truman will join his boss and former childhood coach for a tilt at success in the Golfbreaks.com PGA Fourball Championship.

The 24-year-old Erewash Valley assistant PGA Professional will play alongside the club’s head professional Darren Bartlett as they seek victory in the regional qualifier at Swindon Golf Club in Dudley on June 19.

Should they qualify from the event they will be rewarded with a place in the £33,250 BMW-supported grand final at St Mellion on August 20-22.

For Truman, the event represents the perfect way to repay the man who helped him hone his golfing ability, and offered him the chance to kick-start a career in the game.

“It would be nice if we could qualify for the final,” he said.

“I’ve never played in the Fourball before, but Darren has two or three times. He’s never qualified, but hopefully we can change that this year.

“I get on well with him. He’s an extremely good coach who really helped me with my game. I’ve been an assistant here for a couple of years and he’s really good to work alongside.

Alongside his work at the club Truman is completing The PGA’s degree programme as he tries to prepare for a career in golf coaching.

The degree equips graduates with all the skills they need to succeed in the golf industry, from coaching and sports science, to rules and repairs through to business and marketing.

“It’s been really difficult to fit in the time to play, coach and work in the shop as well as doing my studies,” he admitted.

“That means I often don’t get as much time to play as I would like, so this will be a really good chance to go out there and work on that aspect of my career.

“Erewash Valley is a great club and they have been really supportive of me. Ultimately I see myself going into a career in coaching and the club are really helping me to learn as much as I can.

“I get on well with the members too. These are guys that I have grown up with and it’s good to be able to see them every day – it’s probably by favourite thing about working here.”

Ultimately, though, Truman has set his sights on moving abroad. Inspired by his brother, he dreams of a future in the Middle East.

“My brother lives out in Dubai and it seems such a great part of the world.

“It would nice to work out there as a full-time coach. That would be the dream for me.”

Other pairings playing at Swindon include: Thomas Cheetham (Chase) and Luke Howe (Brocton Hall), Jeremy Harrold (Perton Park) and James Wright (Swindon), Liam James and Danny Taylor (both Robert Rock Academy), and Sam Stuart (Walmley) and Craig Boland (Edgbaston).