End Of An Era At Long Ashton Golf Club
Mike Hart pictured with Richard Wood Club Captain
Sunday 30th September marked a sad day at Long Ashton Golf Club for both members and staff as we said a fond farewell to our Head Professional, Mike Hart who has worked tirelessly at the club from when he started as an Assistant Professional to Denis Scanlan on 1st April 1972 at the tender age of 15 ½ years hold. He was then the youngest Assistant Pro in the country – probably a record that will never be equalled again! Mike told us that on his first day at the club he was left in charge of the shop as Denis disappeared due to his wife giving birth to his daughter – what a start!
Our Club Captain, Richard Wood said “this is going to be a massive change to Long Ashton Golf Club. I have been a member for more than 34 years and just about every day I that I have been at the club there has been one constant and that has been Mike. I first met Mike as a complete golfing beginner in 1984. Mike guided me in everything from grip, posture, swing and attitude to playing the game. Talking to Mike he agrees he must have provided the same sort of coaching to half of the golfers who have joined Long Ashton since 1972. Of course his coaching was not limited to every day members like me. Mike was the first coach of my son Chris and started him off on the first 4 years of his career. Subsequently of course he coached and guided Bethan Popel from a complete beginner to international amateur culminating in her appearances for England in the Home Internationals”.
Long Ashton has been extremely fortunate in having only 3 Head Professionals for the last 70 years since 1948 – surely a record? Mike has been at the club for 46 of those 70 years – an amazing achievement!
On behalf of all the members and staff we would like to thank Mike for all his hard work over the years and we hope Mike and Rose have a long and happy retirement and we look forward to seeing them at the club in the future and hopefully Mike will start playing again.
