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TRAFFORD GOLF CENTRE GROWS THE ACADEMY TO SUPPORT DEMAND

In a year which has seen many ups and downs, Trafford Golf Centre is continuing to grow as the popularity for golf increases. The UK’s busiest driving range has welcomed three new members to The Academy – now an 11-strong team of PGA registered professional golfers.

PGA qualified golf coach, Jamie Forshaw joins from Worsley Golf Club meanwhile Matt Phillips and Calum Heyes-Smith are furthering their careers in the golf industry and they become PGA registered trainees.

Having already been part of the Trafford Golf Centre team for three years, Matt and Calum are known to many of the regular customers at the driving range and will become fully qualified in 2023. Matt and Calum are excited to start offering coaching sessions in the ever popular junior and adult group sessions. This gives golfers a great value option to learn how to play.

Director of Golf at Trafford Golf Centre, Pete Styles said: “As a Senior PGA teaching professional and part of The Academy, it is fantastic to see the team growing and we’re so pleased to welcome Jamie, Matt and Calum to the team. 2020 has certainly been a year of mixed emotions, we have experienced many highs and lows as a venue, but we’re pleased to be growing and reporting positive numbers.”

The teaching facility at Trafford Golf Centre is regarded as one of the best in the UK. Having delivered 14,000 individual and group lesson in the last 12 months, covering all aspects of the game, the PGA professionals coach all levels from beginners all the way through to experienced golfers. Following temporary closure following lockdown 2.0 in the UK, Trafford Golf Centre and Dino Falls Adventure Golf will re-open on Wednesday 2nd December.

Pete concludes: “To further support the growth of the team, the teaching studios are being relocated to a quieter area of the range plus £30,000 is being invested in upgraded and new technical equipment. Recently, the analysis software has been upgraded to Gasp Lab 7 and the cameras used have also been upgraded to industry leading models. We pride ourselves on being the north’s centre of excellence for golf improvement and will continue to upgrade and improve for our customers.”

Open 7am to 10.30pm, seven days a week, The Academy at Trafford Golf Centre has an element of flexibility, working around clients to suit their schedules.

Trafford Golf Centre is continuing to defy the slide in visitor attraction numbers due to Covid-19, hitting over nine million golf balls since the re-opening in May 2020 – including 73,000 in one day, the record number of balls hit at the TraffordCity venue to date.

Now featuring TopTracer and Power Tee in all 53 bays, Trafford Golf Centre boldly names itself the best practice facility in the UK. Featuring an exact replica of the most iconic par three hole in the world, the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass, Trafford Golf Centre also boasts a dedicated short game practice area, featuring the best Huxley synthetic turf.

Featuring a licensed Café & Bar proudly serving Starbucks, six target greens spread over 300 yards and the largest American Golf retail store in the north, Trafford Golf Centre is like Disney World for any golfer – as quoted by Vice Chairman of Battle Back and past Invictus Games Captain, Bernie Broad.

Trafford Golf Centre is also home to Manchester’s most popular 36-hole adventure golf course, Dino Falls Adventure Golf.

Following temporary closure due to Covid-19, the UK’s busiest driving range, Trafford Golf Centre continues to defy the slide in visitor attraction numbers, hitting over three million golf balls since the re-opening in May 2020 – including 73,000 in one day, the record number of balls hit at the TraffordCity venue to date.

Over the past few months, the team have been busy upgrading the facility. Now featuring TopTracer in all 53 bays and 39 Power Tee bays, Trafford Golf Centre boldly names itself the best practice facility in the UK.

Featuring an exact replica of the most iconic par three hole in the world, the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass, Trafford Golf Centre also boasts a dedicated short game practice area, featuring the best Huxley synthetic turf.

Director of Golf at Trafford Golf Centre, Pete Styles said: “Sin

ce March, we have experienced many highs and lows as a venue, but we’re pleased to be reporting positive numbers as we emerge into the new normal as not only a driving range for golfers but as a visitor attraction welcoming families, friends, date nights and many more.”

New additional outfield targets and updates to the toilet facilities are also planned for 2020 as well as an all new website.

Pete concludes: “I want to take this opportunity to thank our customers for their continued support and co-operation in keeping to social distancing guidelines and increased measures in place to ensure we can remain operating. We value the quality of practice at Trafford Golf Centre and we always strive to offer the best service, balls, mats and targets.”

Featuring a licensed Café & Bar, six target greens spread over 300 yards and the largest American Golf retail store in the north, Trafford Golf Centre is like Disney World for any golfer – as quoted by Vice Chairman of Battle Back and past Invictus Games Captain, Bernie Broad.

Trafford Golf Centre is also home to Manchester’s most popular 36-hole adventure golf course, Dino Falls Adventure Golf.

On Friday 25^th September, Trafford Golf Centre PGA professionals plus BBC Breakfast host, Dan Walker took on eight Battle Back Golfers in a highly anticipated Ryder Cup style competition held at Worsley Park Marriott Hotel & Country Club, which had been postponed since the spring due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Prior to lockdown and Covid-19, the Trafford Golf Centre pros were on track to take on the Battle Back golfers. Having begun tuition in November 2019, eight injured service personnel linked to Battle Back Golf, which is closely connected to past Invictus Games Captain, Bernie Broad, progressed well in their game, so well, that they were able to take the win against the pros.

Speaking at the close of the match, BBC’s Dan Walker said: “During the competition, it was incredible to hear stories from the Battle Back Golfers and to understand some more about what they’ve been through. It is fantastic to see how much they enjoy the sport, so much so, that we got well and truly whooped! A deserved victory for the guys.”

At the end of 2019, The Academy at Trafford Golf Centre partnered with Battle Back Golf, a programme which utilises golf to enhance the recovery of wounded, injured and sick service personnel, to offer life-changing coaching. Now the UK’s busiest driving range, Trafford Golf Centre provided six one-hour coaching sessions and gave £100 of ball credit to each participant to help them with their practice.

As a venue, Trafford Golf Centre prides itself on being inclusive for all and sees customers with a variety of disabilities on a regular basis. From visual impairments to injured service personnel, the Academy team enjoy taking time to introduce new people to the sport, ensuring a fairway into golf regardless of the ability.

Director of Golf at Trafford Golf Centre, Pete Styles added: “We thoroughly enjoyed the competition with the Battle Back Golfers last week and, although its tough to admit it, it was a pleasure to see them take the win. At Trafford Golf Centre, we strive to swing the balance in golf and make it more accessible to all. Initiatives such as Battle Back Golf proves the sport can assist with rehabilitation, mental health and much more.”

Bernie Broad, Vice Chairman of Battle Back said: “We really appreciate the support the Academy coaches have given to the veterans and serving personnel to date – it’s clearly worked as we managed to take the win! Anyone who is looking to get into golf, ex-services or not, Trafford Golf Centre has superb facilities, high standard of coaching and the technology to help you enjoy the sport.”

Trafford Golf Centre is the biggest golf academy in the north west and features a wealth of services and facilities including: 53 Toptracer bays, six target greens spread over 300 yards, Power Tee Automatic Ball machines on 39 bays, licensed Café and Bar serving Starbucks Coffee and a range of food both inside and outside on the range plus the largest American Golf retail store in the north.