Lee Moves In At Gubeon

May 12 2008 by The Journal

With centres in London, Berkshire, Surrey and Hertfordshire, N1Golf have moved North with plans to turn the Gubeon Golf Centre near Morpeth into a top North East Golfing Academy.

The company has recently acquired the teaching rights at the centre and appointed PGA professional Lee Findlay to oversee the transformation.

Lee's golfing career started at Mount Oswald Golf Club in County Durham at the age of 13. A year later he joined Durham City Golf Club and following three years of training under Steve Corbally, he moved to the Yorkshire area, gaining further experience at Otley and Ilkley golf clubs.

Lee told Golf North East: "I worked in the Leeds area for eight years then moved out to Germany where I had 5 years at Heidelberg and 8 years at Cologne. During that time, I played a lot of professional golf on the European equivalent of the Euro Pro Tour. I had a sponsor for four years and won a few tournaments, one in Switzerland, another in France and one in Germany, so I did okay."

He added: "I did try to get my full tour card 9 years ago but I just missed out. That was at The Wynyard where I missed the cut to get through to the next qualifying stage by one shot."

On returning to the UK, Lee worked for Scott Cranfield for 12 months before moving back to the North East to be with his family.

He said: "My plans are to build up the academy and make it the best in the North East. N1Golf is Cranfield's main competitor and they are expanding all the time. This year they plan to open centres in South East Scotland, Liverpool, Leeds and possibly one on the south coast."

There is no reason why Lee should not succeed at the Gubeon. The excellent practice facilities at the centre include a 15-bay floodlit driving range, six outdoor grass driving bays, a grassed pitching and putting area and a nine hole par 3 course.

And since opening in the 1990s, many youngsters have been taught the basics in a safe and friendly environment, before moving on to play at golf clubs around the region.

Lee concluded: "We have to build up a good reputation and in time, attract golfers of all abilities to come here for coaching. I admit it's a little bit quiet at the moment but hopefully as the word gets around, the Gubeon will work."

Lee can be contacted on 07882 513399m or e-mail lee@n1golf.com and for further information visit: www.n1golf.com