TESTIMONIALS FROM 2008

I got involved with GM when I was about ten. My dad was asking for advice from different people and a Lancashire Boys County player (Andrew Cartwright), who was about 16 at the time, recommended GM academies as a good introduction to the game. He said it was a good set up for young golfers to get involved with.

I attended the academy for about 3 years. I learnt basic skills, rules and etiquette through instruction and competition, We were in groups of about 6 and it was good fun. I enjoyed the academies as I meet other kids interested in golf and made friends, but I also learned to appreciate the amount of work I needed to put in to improve my own golf game.

Through the academy and GM I joined VRMJGC. I started to gain experience in competitive golf, something that G was very keen on, through an order of merit league for both summer and winter golf competitions.

After 3 years in the academy, I progressed onto a personal development programme that focussed on individual lessons aimed at long game, short game, psychology and on course tuition. Whilst this was serious, it was always light hearted and you could have a laugh with G.

I also got to go away for weekend coaching trips that I really enjoyed, there was a really good family environment and Maria was always good fun. I think my first weekend away at St Andrews was the start of really committing to pursue golf as a career if I could.

The next progression came by being involved with the GM Tour. I have been on tour either by myself or with my family to Spain, Ireland, Scotland Wales and England. We play on some real quality courses and playing 3-day events in different countries gives you the chance to see what it would be like to play on a professional tour. The Tour also helped prepare me for larger competitions, such as The Callaway Worlds in San Diego; first of all it gave me the opportunity to go and compete at such events, and secondly I went there with confidence, knew what to expect and felt I was properly prepared.

Graham and Maria even allowed me to travel to their home in Florida, I spent 2 weeks with them getting used to the heat, the climate and some amazing courses, especially the greens, all as part of my preparations for the Worlds later in the year. Their support and encouragement in that regard is second to none. They have also taken me to many events where my parents were unable to travel owing to work restrictions, this really demonstrates and typifies their enthusiasm to The GM Tour and players alike.

I think when I started with Graham I was a 27 handicap, I am now fifteen and down to a 2 handicap, with a target of scratch for next year. The advice my dad got to go to Graham for my coaching has turned out to be very sound advice indeed. “No pain, no gain” is his motto, he talks tough but the most important thing for young players is that he always manages to have a laugh and make his coaching lessons fun.

James Spencer
Cheshire County Player - 27th place World Junior Ranking 2007 - 2 Time GM National Junior Golf Tour Winner
6th October 2008
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This is the third year for us on the Tour and I can honestly say that this year has been the best so far
At the Scottish Region of the tour, the accommodation in St. Andrews University was first class, the weather was great for playing and the standard of golf from the juniors was excellent

The Tour it's self has always been well organised and the juniors are allowed to develop their golf at their own speed under the encouragement of Graham and his Team. I addition to this the Golf Tour's allow players to meet other players from around the country which increases & build on their social skills & social confidence
Daniel has worked well with Graham over the last 7 years which has allowed him to steadily drop his handicap while still being at the top of his game
The Tour allows him to put into practice what he has learnt in a competiitve arena

Sue Swales Mother of Daniel & Adam - Tour in scotland 21st -24th July 2008
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All the tournaments that i have played in the GM Junior Golf Tour are like the ones i played in America or on the Professional Golf Tour from the morning of the first tournament with registration and distribution of cards and pin placements A great deal of time and effort has gone in to the setting up and running of competitions, I have witnessed first hand the numbers of hours both Graham & Maria work all year round to provide us with tournaments that we can compete in on course of highest quality the staggered tee positions and all the golfers really had to use the course management to think about positional play rather that just hitting the ball as far as they could

The young golfers were able to make more realistic pars and birdies to their relevant age group, this allow them to feel better they had their own par and could say " hay Dad I shot level par today "

Many memories and friends have made over the years that will live with me forever

I am sure we will keep in touch with a lot of new friends

GM Junior Golf Tour is the first and only junior golf tour of it's kind in the United Kingdom it has recently been granted accreditation by the EGU, EWGA & SGA for handicap status, as well as guaranteed places in the Callaway World Championships in California and the CKG World Championships in Myrtle Beach couth Carolina

The Tour is where you can not only play to improve your handicap but to improve the quality of your game maximising performance and achieving high standard results

Congratulations Graham & Maria keep up the good work and long may tour be a success

Spud -Emma Goddard European under 18's Champion 30th August 2008
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I turned up to the Belfry to set up FlightScope on the first tee for the GM National Junior Golf Tour and I was impressed with how the tour was run the quality of young golfers on show and how much enjoyment they were all having
Every success to Graham, Maria the Team and all the golfers

Ian Mackenzie
Captain Yorkshire Men's Team 2002-2007
FlighScpe Owner - The Belfry 13th August 2008
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As it's our first time on the Summer Tour we have found that the experience gained playing at difference courses
is very is very beneficial to both of my boys age 11 and 9

They have really enjoyed themselves and their game has improved all the time also the tour is ran very well with goods organization and fair play

Really well organised, great encouragement from Graham & Maria, Ethan thoroughly enjoyed participating and he has learn a lot Thanks

Jo & Neil Davies 13th August 2008
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I enjoyed today as the standard of the course was the best out of the others
The course set up and conditions made it hard to get birdies

Playing at the Belfry felt quite professional

Rob Hall Tour Player 13th August 2008
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I really like the Tour and it is organised and really professional, it will help me to play better under pressure
Hole locations help me because I can judge how far I have to the pin

Both of our boys thorouhly enjoyed the challange of the Tour in Anglesey and Dear Park in Dublin
The graduated tees provide a fair testof skill and ability in each group
The camaradery and competition is great their development

Brian Moynihan Father of Will & Jack 31st August 2008
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I really like the tour, but I would prefer to be playing off the yellows or whites

Ben Richards Tour Player 18th August 2008
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Very enjoyable and friendly tour, Ben enjoys, that is what it count's, unfortunately, as busy Mum with non playing daughter can't afford the luxury of waiting too long for presentations or play offs

Barbara Richards 18th August 2008
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The Tour has helped me to play different courses it's great chance to met people and make new friends. The atmosphere is very friendly which makes everyday whatever the weather very enjoyable. Going away helps you learn
how to cope and manage yourself

James Spencer Cheshire County Player & Tour Player 31st July 2008
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I have enjoyed my first experience an a golf course following my grand son George, and found it very interesting
Its good to see so many youngsters taking part in a outdoor activity and may go from strength to strength

Wendy George's Grandma 31st July 2009
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Really enjoyed it despite the weather I think Callum will learn a lot from the Tour
Course set up very fairly on both days

T. Lynskey Callum's Father 31st July 2008
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We have enjoyed the Ireland Tour and incorporated to a family holiday James has enjoyed the tour with his family and when he has been away on his own, he has enjoyed and had experienced of playing a lots of different course
He has developed as well as improving his golf and confidence on the course

Jane Spencer James Mother 31st July 2008
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Its nice to see so much being done by Maria & Graham for Junior Golf, to see Juniors and Parents enjoying themselves and a very good standard of golf being played
This is what golf is all about

John Blans Director of Golf Bull Bay Wales 1st August 2008
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Very pleasing to see young boys & girls competing in a organised fashion, clearly the game of golf and its development is going in the right direction

Well done to all concerned

Captain Bull Bay Golf Club 1st August 2008
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