Professional

Simon Stevenson - Head PGA Professional

PGA Fellow Professional

PGA Tutor

PGA Rules Referee

Somerset County Coach

Richard Huish Golf Academy Head Coach

It gives me great pleasure in welcoming you to the Taunton & Pickeridge Professional's pages. These pages will give you an idea of the products and services that my staff and I can provide to members, guests and visitors. The standard of service and product knowledge we offer is first class and I can assure you that my prices and products cannot be beaten.

I was appointed Head PGA Professional at Taunton & Pickeridge in August 2004 and have enjoyed great success in coaching golfers of all standards. My main philosophy in golf is to keep things simple - golf is not rocket science. I regularly give presentations focusing on the mental aspect of golf and how to attain peak performance.

I believe that we never stop learning and therefore I continue to push myself to become the best PGA Professional I can be. Since moving to Taunton & Pickeridge I've qualified as a PGA Tutor, been appointed a Somerset County Coach, Richard Huish Golf Academy Head Coach, qualified as a PGA Rules Referee and been awarded Fellow PGA Professional status by the PGA.

I'm originally from Perthshire, Scotland and was lucky enough to play my golf as a boy at the wonderful Rosemount course at Blairgowrie Golf Club. In 1994 I started my PGA training at Turnberry under the late Bob Jamieson before being appointed as Senior Assistant to Brian Gunson.

I joined Gleneagles in 2001 as Senior Golf Professional which allowed me to further develop my skills in tuition, club fitting, golf retailing and management. During my time at Gleneagles I assisted the Tournament Director with planning and organisation for the 2001 and 2002 Diageo Scottish PGA Championship.

During my time at Gleneagles and Turnberry I was fortunate to teach and be taught by Nick Faldo, David Leadbetter, Paul Lawrie, Denis Pugh, Peter Cowen and Bob Torrance.

After 2 years at Gleneagles I moved on to become Director of Golf at the Cardrona Hotel Golf and Country Club. I was responsible for setting up the golf operation at this multi million pound resort.

After a wide and varied 10 years as a professional I wanted to use all my skills and knowledge to provide a quality PGA service at a premier private members club. I look forward to continuing to provide the best possible service to members, their guests and all visitors to Taunton & Pickeridge.

Hope to see you soon.

Simon Stevenson.

Alistair Welsher - P.G.A. Assistant Professional

Richard Huish Golf Academy Coach

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I joined the team here in the professional shop at Taunton & Pickeridge in July 2007, and have so far thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club.

I have lived in the Taunton area all my life, but came to this great game fairly late at the age of 15. I began, as many people have in this area, by playing a few rounds of golf at Vivary Park in Taunton. I then played the majority of my amateur career at Oake Manor Golf Club, winning the club championship and various competitions, and representing the club at all levels.

In 2004 I joined the Richard Huish College Golf Academy, winning the inaugural Academy Challenge in 2005 and coming out the program with a BTEC National Diploma in Sporting Excellence, Distinction Grade. I have now come full circle and find myself assisting Simon with the Golf Academy coaching here at Taunton & Pickeridge.

My coaching philosophy is really to maximise my students scoring ability, and more often than not this involves working hard on their short game. Did you know that 80% of shots that golfers lose to par (the shots that make up your handicap) are played within 100 yards of the hole? Obviously any improvements I can make to golfers short games will have a dramatic impact on their scores, and lower their handicaps.

Having said that, as well as improving short games, I am very well equipped to guide students seeking improvements in their long games. Whether this be a slight "check-up", or a major swing change, together we can get you hitting the ball longer, straighter, and more consistently.

As well as coaching, I have always had a keen personal interest in the equipment side of the game, so feel free to come and see me anytime you wish to pick my brains regarding your equipment, or perhaps just to discuss the latest "toys" that are coming out.

I am currently undertaking my PGA training under Simon, with a burning ambition to progress far in my career as a professional golfer.

Happy golfing,

Alistair Welsher