Wolves fan Bandurak aims to raise his game

Wolves fan and aspiring PGA Professional John Bandurak admits his golf career has gone in the opposite direction to the club he supports over the last year.

While the second year PGA Assistant has seen his career in golf take off it’s been a tale of woe for Wolves as they battle to beat the drop into League One.

Next month Great Barr Golf Club assistant Bandurak takes time out from the PGA’s three-year Foundation Degree in Professional Golf which covers coaching, sports science, equipment, business and marketing, to target success in the Midland qualifier for the Powerade PGA Assistants' Championship at Henley-in-Arden on May 9.

At stake is a place in £32,000 FootJoy-supported final which will be held on August 7-9 at Coventry Golf Club.

Bandurak enjoyed playing success last year when he topped the Midland qualifier and also finished third in the PGA Fourball Championship with Halfpenny Green’s Darren Prosser – a fellow Wolves fan.

“Last year was a good for me because as well as getting to the Assistants’ final, I did well with Darren - I think playing with another avid Wolves fan helped me there.

“I also won the Midlands Assistants’ Championship and finished top of the Midlands Assistants’ Order of Merit.

“This year I want to do well in the Powerade, especially as the final will be held locally at Coventry.”

With his PGA qualification set to open up a number of career opportunities, Bandurak is optimistic about the future, although he admits it’s looking a bit bleaker for Wolves.

“I’ve got Challenge Tour and Europro Tour experience behind me, but now that I’m a PGA Assistant it means I have a job to come back to if things don’t go so well.

“It’s just a pity Wolves aren’t doing as well this season.”

Other Midlands-based players taking part at Henley include: Martin Allen (Notts Golf Club), David Baker (Bridgnorth), Kristofer Harper and Russell Harper (The Belfry), Adam Myers (Northants County) and James Austerberry (Westwood Golf Club).