apr9 burhillacademy

Golf legend Neil Coles MBE and Mayor of Elmbridge, Cllr Nigel Cooper, were guests of honour at the official opening of Burhill Golf Club’s new Short Game Academy.
 
Coles, winner of 25 European Tour titles and an eight-time Ryder Cup player, hit the first shot on the £250,000 facility, which features expansive grass tees, three target greens, a chipping green surrounded by bunkers and undulations, a five-bay Academy range building, plus practice putting green.
 
“This is a fantastic facility for members,” said Coles, 74, from Walton-on-Thames, who as a 19-year-old was an assistant professional at the Surrey club.

“I remember when we used to give lessons here and it was essentially just an open grass area, so this is an incredible transformation for which the club should be congratulated.
 
“The short game is a vital element of modern tournament golf and having a high quality Short Game Academy like this is of real benefit to junior golfers and young, upcoming players.”
 
Burhill Golf Club is used as a training centre by Surrey County Golf plus a variety of elite amateur and professionals, including Tour pro Jamie Elson, son of Burhill’s Director of Golf, Pip Elson, himself a former European Tour professional.
 
The Club has an outstanding reputation for its promotion of junior golf – European Tour star Paul Casey being it most famous junior member – and Neil Coles was able to see the club’s latest up-and-coming talent, 13-year-old county player Liam Cox, who plays off a 5-handicap, in action on the Short Game Academy.
 
Colin Mayes, Chief Executive of Burhill Golf & Leisure Ltd, said: “We are constantly striving to provide our members with the best quality golf facilities in the South of England and the new Short Game Academy is just the latest addition.”