THE Cheshire Ladies Golf Association have appointed Mark Pilling as their new coaching professional for the east of the county.

Mark, who is the PGA coach at Prestbury Golf Club, met up with some of the county’s top and up and coming players at Bramhall Golf Club to outline his plans for them and as they played some holes together in groups he went round with them to assess their golf etc.

Cheshire Ladies Captain Frances Gell said: “Mark already had an excellent track record over the last few years coaching CCLGA junior girls in the east of Cheshire, together with Mark Johnson, Styal GC, and Matt Turnock, Mottram Hall GC.

“Mark was very innovative when lockdown started, immediately introducing online coaching for the junior girls. He plans to develop Cheshire’s elite teams’ performance under pressure, their understanding of course management/strategy, and building team spirit.

“He is extremely enthusiastic about Cheshire’s elite squad’s future performance at County Match Week, as well as the individual player’s personal golf development and will be a great asset to the County.

“Mark, Matt and Mark are only involved with the junior girls in the east of the County as we have other teaching professionals on the Wirral, and we're also hoping to re-establish coaching for juniors living mid Cheshire after Judy Statham's retirement from our golfing programme this year.”

Mark has an outstanding golf pedigree and as a junior at Astbury he became the first Cheshire player to win the British Boys Championship at Carnoustie and was selected for the GB and I team to play against the Continent of Europe.

He turned professional and played for three years as a tour pro before deciding to turn his skills, knowledge and personality to coaching and joined Prestbury as an assistant professional.

He set out to be one of the leading coaches in the region and was as good, if not better than his word.

He is now regarded as one of the most qualified coaches in the country having taken an academic as well as practical route to success.

His Masters degree at Birmingham University was underpinned by a research thesis investigating the career paths of seven former tour players.

Mark said: “My aim is to provide the highest quality advice to all the players I work with regardless of age or ability.

“Every player has different needs and the university education has helped me develop a holistic view of coaching – it is not all about the swing!”

Photos & copy courtesy Geoff Garnett