Head Professional, Fern Shaw, shares her golfing journey:

“I started playing golf at the age of 13, during my first few years I managed to start my handicap off at 45 and worked hard to obtain a scratch handicap by the time I reached 18. During this time I represented my club, county and country.

I then went on to spend 4 years at Bethune Cookman University in Florida playing for their golf team. In that time we won 3 National Championships, and I was lucky enough to graduate with honours in May 2012.

At the age of 21 I returned and decided that coaching was the route I wanted to take, so that year I started my PGA qualification. I spent a few years competing on the LET Access tour and WPGA events, before setting up my Junior Academy in 2014.

Wessex Aces Junior Academy

Fern started The Wessex Aces Junior Academy, with 7 juniors. A few years later, Luke Shaw joined the coaching team which enabled the academy to grow to  over  60 juniors across the various  academy groups, with o ne of the original juniors from the first group in 2014 is still in the academy now!

The main focus in the academy is to keep golf fun for everyone. All sessions are based around games and activities which means the juniors learn the basics and always enjoy the process.

Sessions take place on alternate Saturday mornings, which has helped retain the juniors as it provides freedom to play/practise on the other weekend. These sessions cover all aspects of the game, from putting to driving.

Wessex Golf Centre is fortunate to have an impressive covered 'Top Tracer' driving range which means sessions run all year round.

Player Development Pathway

Fern & Luke have designed a Coaching Development Pathway which helps the juniors work through different levels of golf progression. There are 9 levels in total gradually getting harder throughout each level.

Each session the juniors try to complete the cards and get stickers for doing certain activities/challenges. The feedback we’ve had so far from the development cards has been really positive. The juniors now have a way of determining what to practise by what stickers they need to obtain.

Wessex After School Club

The after-school club runs on Wednesday evenings & provides an opportunity for juniors to both practice and play, with PGA professionals available to help them along the way. 

Fern & Luke at Wessex Golf Centre are passionate about creating as many opportunities as possible for all ages and abilities to take part in golf, and love to see the juniors enjoying the sport.

Academy and After-School Clubs are available in 10 session blocks, costing only £70!

For further information please email landfgolf@outlook.com or call 01305 784737.  

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