Once the Amgen Irish Open tent gets packed up and rolls out of Royal County Down, Head Professional Kevan Whitson will also exit stage left after a career innings of almost 50 years, considered one of the country’s most respected PGA Professionals.
Little did Whitson know what would unfold after that memorable day when he and three other PGA Pro hopefuls bounced about in the back of Bill Webb’s BMW as he literally drove them down the hallowed fairways of RCD.
Whitson was one of four who had flown into Belfast for a final interview and Webb, the then Greens’ Convenor, was carrying out routine checks on the golf course - or simply putting in time before final interviews.
That was 1991 and Whitson was officially offered the role of Head Professional at RCD in October that year. When he ‘hands over the keys’ to his current assistant John Murray this October, it will mark an impressive 33 years spent at the famous Newcastle venue and almost 50 years since first signing his PGA papers and taking up the assistant role as a 16-year-old at The Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh.
“As a club we’ve found little or no interruption to the day-to-day running. A lot of the visitors have enjoyed it too; taking their picture with the Irish Open trophy in the pro shop or remarking how much fun it is to play up the 18th with the grandstands and corporate facilities lining the hole. In many ways it has added to the visitor experience.”
There is a sense that RCD is just as keen to showcase their famous Championship Links in the same way Royal Portrush will do next year when The Open returns. Northern Ireland’s two most famous golf venues are aware of their place, not only within Irish golf but the global game.
“We want to show the golf course off. We are all very fortunate to get to play RCD every day,” says Whitson.
“To have the best players in the world come and pit their skills against a great old links golf course is very special. The course length (7,206 yards) hasn’t changed massively since the 1950s, which is staggering when you think it can still stand up to today’s modern game. For Royal County Down, I think it's important we take our place at hosting major events in Northern Ireland.
“There’s no pressure, just a desire to deliver at the highest level, both for members and international visitors. It’s more a sense of pride to be able to share the golf course and provide the best possible experience.”
One of Whitson’s main roles during tournament week is to head up the Golf Operations team, with a specific remit of delivering the very best practice facility for the players. He and his team will man the practice area situated on the Annesley Links at RCD just beyond the Spectator Village. The dedicated area can hold up to 50 players at any one time.
Despite everything Whitson has achieved in the game, (he is one of just over 50 to receive the PGA Master Professional title for his contribution to golf), you sense it is the elevation of customer service and welcome through the Golf Operations team over the years at RCD that makes him proud.
“I will retire at the end of October after the Irish Open, and for me that feels like a very natural marker,” explains Whitson, the 65-year-old Scot from East Lothian, who has now spent half his life in Newcastle with his wife Eileen and family.
“I’ve not known anything else other than golf club life. I had my forays into playing like most pros and certainly thought I was going to be an awful lot better than I ended up! But I quickly realised I had a passion for coaching and that has been a driving force in my career, helping other people to improve at all levels.”
Whitson recalls the excellent training he first received at Royal Burgess under Head Professional George Yuile.
“Work ethic might come from within the family, but a good culture can be mentored by the right people. I have been fortunate to have had many good mentors. And everywhere I went since those early days, I tried to bring that strong work ethic and embrace the club culture.”
After his time a Royal Burgess, Whitson took up the position of Head Professional at Turnhouse Golf Club in Edinburgh where he began to get recognition for his coaching, plus got to know some of his early assistants such as Neil Manchip.
He changed the coaching culture at Turnhouse. Rather than lessons being tucked away at the end of a range, he brought them front and centre at the clubhouse. Golf World ran a feature article on Whitson’s coaching and things soon gained traction.
But it wasn’t until arriving in Northern Ireland towards the end of the Troubles that Whitson made his mark. His role began to change and he became mentor to so many.
“I believe there have been 33 assistant professionals who trained under me, 29 here at RCD,” says Whitson, while chatting in the casual leather seats in the Murlough Room.
“It’s been a real privilege and so many of them have gone on to achieve wonderful things in golf."
All told, Newcastle got a hold of the Whitson’s. Where once there might have been reservations about such a move, they are here to stay.
“I came from a beautiful place I was passionate about. I’m an East Lothian boy and look forward to going back, but Newcastle is home for us. I am also fortunate enough to have recently received a letter to be invited to become a member here at RCD, for me that’s a huge honour. I don’t believe that’s been afforded to any PGA Professional in the history of the club. Eileen is an active member of the Royal County Down Ladies Golf Club, and I hope we’ll stay part of the fabric of golf in Newcastle for some time to come.”
Whitson has plenty to keep him busy between consultancy roles within the PGA and TGI Partnership or holding a PGA Masterclass at RCD. He might simply tinker with the couple of old cars he is passionate about, ride his Harley Davidson into the sunset, walk the dog more or tackle the garden. He’s also been tasked with coaching grandson Finlay to be Masters champion by 2042!
“On a personal note, I’m much more comfortable with the thought of finishing my time than I thought I would be. I look back with a lot of satisfaction. My role at RCD evolved and changed over the years and I’m ready to hand over to John and the team who will do a great job.
“I’ve reached the point where I want to have the freedom to explore and experience other things. It may be that I do nothing more, and that’s ok. I simply don’t know at this stage."
What is certain, the Irish Open at Royal County Down makes for the ideal sign off for Whitson as he looks back on an illustrious 50-year career within golf.
