Top North East Pro Joins Close House

Dec 1 2008 The Journal

CLOSE HOUSE Golf and Country Club has pulled off another coup in their quest to become the top golf resort in the region by securing the services of Jonathan Lupton as the club's teaching professional.
Jonathan, who enjoyed a glittering career as an amateur, starts on January 1st, 2009 and is very positive about his role at Close House.
The Teessider said: "I can't wait to get started. I think this is going to be a terrific development and having the chance to be part of it is really exciting. Although I won't be actually employed by the company, being self-employed will give me the freedom to keep playing because that's still important to me."
Jonathan is realistic about his future as a tour player and said: "I'm 29 now and I've had a few goes at it. If my form improves, I will have another shot but I'm quite happy now.
"I'm married and settled now in the North East and quite happy to go into the PGA, something which I really enjoy, learning and teaching, so I'm looking forward to the challenge of becoming a coach."
As the re-development of Close House begins, Jonathan can look forward to the use of a modern high-tech golfing academy, which is due to be completed by June 2009 (subject to planning permission).
There will be 10 indoor bays and 5 outdoor bays, a grassed teeing area, dedicated teaching bay, short game practice area with bunkers, state of the art custom fitting centre and a café providing drinks and light snacks.
The building will also act as a halfway house for the proposed new Championship course.
Born in 1979, Jonathan began playing golf at the age of seven initially at Eaglescliffe Golf Club before moving on to Middlesbrough Brass Castle.
As an amateur he represented England at both junior and senior levels, played for Great Britain and Ireland and won numerous titles including the 2002 Welsh Amateur Strokeplay Championship and the British Amateur Strokeplay Championship in 2003.
Following his victory in 2003, he turned professional and with local sponsorship, played on the EuroPro and European Challenge Tours.
He has been lucky enough to compete against some of the world's top players including Sergio Garcia, Darren Clark, Paul Casey, Luke Donald, Justin Rose, Ross Fisher and Oliver Wilson.
Last year, Jonathan won both the North East/North West PGA Assistants and the PGA Powerade Assistants Golf championships resulting in him being awarded the North East/North West PGA Assistants Golf Player of the Year Trophy.
This year, Jonathan has played predominantly in North Region competitions although he did enter one EuroPro event and competed in the 2008 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club.
His coaches have included Peter Cowan from the European Tour, EGU National coaches Keith Williams, David Ridley and Graeme Walker and putting guru Harold Swash.
With his experience, Jonathan has developed his own methods and theory to coaching and be it a tour player or a complete novice, he is more than happy to provide advice for players of all abilities. He currently lives in Yarm with his wife Libby, who teaches at a local primary school and has a fondness for horses.
He said: "Where Close House wants the business to be and where I want it to be will take two or three years to develop so we will be probably looking to re-locate at that time."
Jonathan is the current professional course record holder at Close House, shooting a 67 to win a recent Pro-Am held at the club - and that included missing a couple of short putts on the last two greens.
Diary dates
BOLDON Golf Club will be holding their Annual General Meeting on
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 8pm in the clubhouse.
TYNESIDE Golf Club will be holding their Annual General Meeting, also on December 10 at 7.30 pm in their clubhouse.
PONTELAND Golf Club will be holding the Camerons Scratch Open on Sunday
July 12th, 2009. The format is 36 holes with prizes down to 8th position. Entry fee is £20 and includes a light lunch. To book your place contact the secretary on 01661-822689.

Diary dates

Team sought
SEAHOUSES Golf Club are trying to contact a team that was placed in an Open Texas Scramble competition in August.
The four-man team, with the lead name of Sandilands, came fourth in the competition but had left by the time of the presentation.
Now, Seahouses are asking for the team to contact them so they can receive their prize.
Contact Angela on 01665-720794.

Diary Dates
Parklands Golf Course are holding a Taylormade Demo Day 4pm til 8pm Tuesday 9th December for golfers to try out all the latest technology from a leading manufacturer with expert advise from PGA professionals. They are also having a Pre Christmas Sale on clothing from December 1st and are having a December driving range promotion 100 balls only £4 all day every day plus Mini golf only £2 per play.
Monday to Thursday throughout December there is a Happy hour in the bar 7pm til 9pm, Fosters and John Smiths only £2 per pint .