Big Plans At Oakleaf

Nov 4 2009 The Journal

WELL Known North East professional Neil Whinham has big plans for his new venture at the Oakleaf Golf Complex in Newton Aycliffe. Whinham is head pro at Whitburn but has just taken on the running of the 18-hole parkland course at Oakleaf together with its driving range and shop.

Neil will be utilising the talents of his large team of pros including Stephen Lines, Mike Howes, Daniel Coffey and Stephanie Peareth, one of the region's leading girls who is planning to study in the US next year on a golfing scholarship.

Neil, who is aged 36, said: "The course is good and the rest of the facilities at the complex are first-class. It's just a case of trying to maximise the huge potential here.

"Consequently, we have some big plans for the complex. We will be getting the shop totally refitted and plan to stock many of the leading brands and have a couple of big demo nights planned with Wilson and Nike.

"We'll also be building up the tuition side of things, utilising the great facilities that are here. The whole team is really looking forward to the challenge. I really enjoy teaching and so we're hoping to offer a first-class service.

"We'll also be having a look at the website - www.aslangolf.co.uk."

Neil, who has been head pro at Whitburn for four years, is from Newcastle and learned his golf at Ryton and then Westerhope.

Football was his first sporting love and he was a junior with Newcastle united until injury put an end to his hopes of a professional career.

He then worked for the JJB sports retail group, a sting in the golf department re-igniting his passion for the sport.

He added: "I was about 20 before I became really interested in golf. I had always played the game and got my handicap fairly low but had never thought about it as a career.

"But I enjoyed working in the golf department at JJB so much that I decided to do the PGA training. I became an assistant at Middlesbrough Municipal and then moved on to Whitburn later."

It is Neil's wide experience both in the retail world as well as at municipal courses, that should stand him in good stead at Oakleaf, which is owned by the local council.

Jodi's Joy In Us

ENGLAND international Jodi Ewart has been honoured for her fine performances in the first two events of this season's US women's college circuit. Jodi, from Catterick in North Yorkshire, has been named as the Mountain West Conference Women's Golfer of the Month for September.

_The University of New Mexico student was second in two tournaments during the month, and was a total of 18-under par. She set a new college record with her 11-under par score in the second event.

Jodi, who has been the Mountain West Conference player of the year on three occasions, is currently ranked eighth nationally in US college golf.

Page 2 - Another Big Event At Slaley >>