Issue 13 - October 2011 (PDF - Chipping Norton Times

A toe on the green…’
It’s not an unusual story – a burgeoning talent, but no
money to develop it! Ryan Jenkins is impressing the pros
and Gary Smith, the England coach, with a natural talent
for golf.
Ryan started his golfing with a set of Dunlop starter clubs
bought on Ebay by his sister Kelly, for £50. Playing with his
friend Liam Agg, Ryan was surprised at how quickly he was
able to achieve a ‘reasonable round’ and the pair attracted
the attention of the local Pro, quickly getting into the Junior
Team and winning their first match. Ryan has since gone on
to win many Junior matches
and also a Mens’
competition at Naunton
Downs.
The enthusiasm is tangible
when Ryan talks about
golf:” I love the
competition and pressure,
and the skill involved in the
game.
I have always been
competitive – whoever I am
playing, I like to try and
beat them. The Competitions are great because the
prizes are generally vouchers for the Pro Shop, which
help me to get better clubs. I'm trying to play as many
courses as possible, especially Championship courses like
Heythrop Manor Park and Celtic Manor.”
Ryan’s golf has caught the eye of professional golfer, Gary
Smith, an England coach. “He was ‘blown away’ by Ryan”
says Kelly, “ which was a validation of what the family
had been thinking – that Ryan has a talent worth
developing, something special!”
The challenge goes up a gear now as Gary has agreed to
coach Ryan intensively for one year and is confident he
will be playing off scratch before the year is out. The
coaching will develop Ryan’s ability but the cost of
professional time will increase as Ryan’s golf improves. So
the current task is to obtain sponsorship - not too
different to a student loan for university, and Ryan is
looking at grants and the support available from the
Council and national bodies such as Sport England. With
Kelly he is actively looking for corporate sponsorship and
Dr Peter Dean has lead the way with support from his
company Cambio Ltd, whose logo Ryan now wears on his
sports shirts.
The immediate focus is on the British Junior Golf Tour to
Portugal this month, which is a recognised event for
young players ‘coming up the field’. This is followed by a
qualifying tournament in April 2012 for the Callaway
World Junior Championship in San Diego later in the year.
Look out for the name Ryan Jenkins.
Contact Ryan via Kelly, on 07855 224662
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