Following in father’s footsteps

SCOTT CONNOR has followed in the footsteps of his father Brian by qualifying as a golf professional.

The 21-year-old from Royton has gained his PGA Foundation Degree after three years of studying.

Scott has been an assistant professional to his father at Manchester Hopwood’s House of Golf where he will work in a new role as manager of the golf performance centre.

He has helped introduce over 200 children to golf through various coaching initiatives and will also continue to work with the existing core or junior and adult members.

Meanwhile, Scott is off to America next month to visit a number of the world’s top coaches as he aims to develop his teaching techniques further.

Scott will spend three weeks working with Bob Toski, Dennis Shehy and Chuck Cook which will involve shuttling between Florida, California and Texas.

While younger sister Rachel embarks on a career to become a top women’s player, Scott sees his future in coaching.

He said: “I gain a lot of pleasure from coaching and helping golfers to improve their game, and it is also a lot less stressful than competing.

“It is great to have qualified as a PGA professional and, while I feel knowledgeable about golf, I don’t want to stand still.

“I would like to develop into being a world-class coach which is why I am going to America to see how their system works as one day I would like to coach top professional players.”

Father Brian says Scott was drawn to coaching through a lesson he received from Shehy before the coach emigrated to San Diego, California.

“Scott had a one-hour lesson with Dennis, which cost a fortune, when he was about 14 years of age, and he has never forgotten the advice he gave him.

“He told Scott that if he wanted to become a top coach he ought to go and visit five of the top 20 coaches in the world which is why he is going to America to learn from them.”

Scott began playing at the age of nine and enjoyed success as a junior before deciding to concentrate on a career in coaching.