Tyrrell aiming to boost Hampshire pro-ams

The PGA in Hampshire’s incoming captain Chris Tyrrell is set to place a new emphasis on the county’s pro-am schedule. 

Tyrrell, 36, is keen to increase the popularity of the county’s long-standing events and anxious to make them must play events for PGA Professionals and amateurs alike.

The head PGA Professional and general manager at New Forest GC said: “I want to connect with the pros and get to as many events as possible. I also want to get their feedback on pro-ams and learn from it and try to get the pro-ams back to where they were in the past.”

“We have to try to find a way to address getting pros to play with their club members and clients in our events – as they are really great days out - not just for this year but future years.”

Tyrrell says there is “an issue” with slow play which needs to be addressed, not necessarily in PGA tournaments but certainly among clubs and with the golf watched by club golfers on TV.  And he believes legendary Open champion Tom Morris would be “turning in his grave” at the amount of time it takes some golfers to complete a round. 

Tyrrell said: “I am reading a book called Tommy’s Honour. Tom Morris used to go out at first light and play 18 holes in two hours!  Whilst we are not going to achieve that we have got to do something about slow play.

“You see guys on TV taking a long time and it has a knock on affect as juniors for one tend to follow suit.”

Tyrrell, in his fifth year at New Forest, is still pinching himself at replacing Weybrook Park’s Andrew Cloke as captain. After graduating from Dorset county juniors to the first team, he started out as a pro at neighbouring Brockenhurst. 

The Barton-on-Sea man said: “My dad tells me I am an established pro but I still consider myself to be a new boy. I want to do the job properly and lead by example.  It is a massive honour and the club are very proud of me, which I really appreciate. It is amazing really.”

In addition to playing on the Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Channel Islands circuit, he intends to compete in Open qualifying and the Titleist & FootJoy PGA Professional Championship as well as occasional PGA South Region events.

“It is a case of striking a work/life balance,” said Tyrrell, who is engaged to Becky and father to one-year-old Charlotte. And to add to his work load, he is in the process of moving house.

One date firmly pencilled in his diary is the annual match against the County Golf Union on April 10, adding: “I am already looking to pick a team - maybe we will have a team bonding session beforehand as we are up against top amateurs. That’s how much I want to win.”