PGA News

Phillips savours success and the Olympic experience

PGA Professional Reece Phillips experienced memories that will last him a lifetime when caddying for Olympic silver medallist Esther Henseleit at Paris 2024.

Hertfordshire-born Phillips met Henseleit in 2020 and within a few months was coaching and caddying for the German golf star. They had also become a couple.

Since those early days, their relationship on and off the course has continued to blossom. And it scaled fresh heights in France where the pair enjoyed moments to treasure as Henseleit played her way onto the podium in thrilling style.

Phillips, attached to Whitehill Golf Centre but now based in Scottsdale, Arizona, had the best seat in the house as he watched his partner fire a majestic 66 that would eventually secure her second spot behind gold medallist Lydia Ko.

“Honestly, our goal was just to have fun,” said the 35-year-old, explaining his and Esther’s pre-tournament objectives. “We didn’t put any expectations on a medal. We didn’t want to bog ourselves down with that – we just wanted to enjoy it.”

That goal was tested in the early stages at Le Golf National after Henseleit began with a double-bogey and followed it with a bogey. But she showed great resolve to pull it back to level-par by the end of the first round and after 54 holes was sat on the fringes of the medal race at two-under.

“I think we were five back with the medals and seven back from the lead, so we just said we were going to take it on,” said Phillips. “But going into round four, it was a very interesting environment because it’s top three or nothing. No one really remembers if you finish fourth or 40th.

“We got off to a good start, played the first 10 in five-under and then you‘re in the mix. We played super-aggressive coming in – not careless, we were still trying to leave it on the right side of flags. 

“But we were taking shots on just because we knew the leaderboard was so packed and you’ve got the best players in the word around you. If you don’t go out there and take it, someone’s going to take it from you.”

Henseleit and Phillips stayed with that attacking mindset right to the end, resulting in brilliant birdies on 17 and 18 to ensure a silver medal triumph. 

“I was proud watching Esther keep to that game plan and really keep pushing on,” said her trusty bagman.

So how did he keep it together down the biggest nine holes of his life. “I just try and hide whatever I’m feeling, try and stay completely neutral and give Esther what she needs – whether it’s the info on the green, where we are trying to hit to off the tee, numbers, carry numbers.”

That said, preparing to play the 18th with its penal rough and watery surrounds, Phillips admitted to inwardly asking for a little bit of help from above.

 “I think it was one of the only times I’ve stood a tee and said a little prayer!” he said.

The subsequent celebrations with family and close allies is something Phillips will always cherish. Right up there as an experience to remember was the closing ceremony.

“I was given a pass to walk with Esther and the athletes of team Germany – out through the main gates and onto the track with everyone cheering,” he said. “It was super-cool.”

Perhaps the only thing that might have made the fairytale experience taste even sweeter if Phillips had something to show for his immense efforts at Le Golf National. He believes that caddies do require some recognition – ‘a mini-medal or a certificate’ – for all that they contribute to a medallist’s success.

“I feel like caddies should definitely get something to commemorate what they achieved,” said Phillips. “They are a big part of the process.”

He and Henseleit hardly had time to pause for breath since their Paris heroics as their busy August continued with the ISPS Handa Scottish Open then the 2024 AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews.

The work of a PGA Professional is never done, but Alan Tait wouldn’t have it any other way.

Sustained by an unwavering passion for the game that he adores, the former Tartan Tour No 1 continues to work tirelessly to improve the playing opportunities for women in golf. 

Since dipping his toe into the play-and-play waters some 25 years ago with his 2000+ Tour for pros and amateurs, his latest initiative, Scottish Women’s Amateur Tour (SWAT) offers women of varied handicaps to compete at world-class venues across Scotland.

His Get Back to Golf Tour, which emerged amid the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic, continues to this day and Tait has now furnished the domestic scene with another mini-circuit for female amateurs.

“It started off as a bit of light-hearted banter,” said Tait of the SWAT’s genesis. “I’d started these other tours and five or six of the girls would often say, ‘right Taity, when are you going to do something for us women?’.

“I kind of laughed it off at the start but then it got more serious. One came up and said they have the Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open, the Scottish Women’s Amateur and some county stuff but that’s really it.

“Many said they used to play in lots of 36-holers on the order of merit but there wasn’t the opportunity now. I thought, ‘let’s try and pull something together’.”

With an entry fee of just £65, the SWAT features nine, 36-hole contests at some of Scotland’s finest venues.

The circuit began in April at Royal Dornoch and will conclude with a grand-final at Cabot Highlands Castle Stuart. 

“There’s an opportunity there to play Royal Dornoch, and the like, for 65 quid and, if nothing else, you’re getting two rounds on courses than can usually cost £300 to £400,” he said of the terrific value for money.

“We have got all sorts of players,” said the long-serving PGA member. “There will be players out there, perhaps some former internationalists, in their 50s and 60s.

“They will still be competitive, but they might also look at this as a nice social opportunity too. And, of course, we want those younger ones who aspire to playing for Scotland.

“I think this tour can tick a lot of boxes for women golfers. I enjoy doing my bit to help our game and promoting golf in Scotland as much as I can. It’s all hard work and a big commitment but it gives me huge pleasure to give something back to golf.”

With his latest endeavour, Tait continues to encapsulate all that is great about the work of the PGA professional.

New Head Pro at Alwoodley as John Green steps aside 

Lee Morrisroe has become Alwoodley Golf Club’s fifth head professional in more than a century after John Green stepped aside following 35 years in the post.

Green joined the club in 1989 after training as an Assistant at Harrogate. Having qualified as a pro, he then moved to Sand Moor in Leeds before head pro Jonathan Foss was asked to stock the shop at nearby Alwoodley and place a member of his team there.

“I took over from Ian Duncan, who retired after 27 years, he was George Duncan’s (Open winner and Ryder Cup captain) son,” said Green, who continues to share his time between the shop and the office.

  “Norman Rowell (1946-1962) was Alwoodley’s pro before and, before him, was Jack Gaudin (1912-1946) so that’s only four pros in 112 years!” explains Green who continues to share his time between the shop and the office.

“I never had an interview at Alwoodley, I think my interview was those two years doing it on behalf of Jonathan at Sand Moor, and then the club asked me to do it on my own. 

“When I joined, Alwoodley was almost what you think Alwoodley would be. It was lots of plus fours and plus twos and the club tended to keep themselves to themselves.

“I think I was pre-destined to do this sort of job. I knew that I really enjoyed the coaching side, I really enjoyed the retail, the club fitting and the banter with members too. People would say to me, this is possibly a job for life, and I always thought that was a funny thing to be told at 24 years old. I just enjoyed being here and I just liked to look after the Alwoodley members.”

Over Green’s time at the club the perception of Alwoodley has changed immeasurably. From a quiet members’ club, it now hosts some of the leading amateur tournaments – in 2019 it held its first Brabazon Trophy and this year it will stage the Girls Amateur Championship.

“Even now Alwoodley is seen as a little bit elitist but when you speak to and get to know the members, they are lovely. In some ways I have probably fought to change that reputation quite a bit. 

“I always thought that was really important to flip that, they might have this impression before they walk through the door, but when they get there they say, ‘Do you know what, they were all really nice!’.

“I wouldn’t say that I’ve been over the top, but I want to smile and chat to golfers when they walk in the door. I want that to be their first welcome and my assistants do the same thing. The club has evolved. They have had to get a little bit more progressive, more organised and business-like.”

Morrisroe certainly fits the new criteria having co-founded The Golf Room Garforth with PGA Professional Gareth Johnson. Having grown up at Howley Hall, where he played alongside Marcus Armitage and Danny Denison, he turned professional at 20. 

He would do his training at Willow Valley before moving to Oulton Hall to work under Mark Pearson as a full-time coach. Then came the opportunity at Garforth with Johnson.

“We undertook a full shop renovation and installed an indoor studio, which, combined with a fantastic team, resulted in a highly successful business,” he recalled. 

“I spent five and a half years there before the opportunity at Alwoodley became available.

“The first time that I ever played Alwoodley was with my dad, and it was a twilight offer. I thought it was the best place ever and I played here in the Yorkshire Amateur when Richard Law won it in 2008. 

“The thing that I love about Alwoodley is that you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere. You have the red kites, the heathland and the whole feel of it. It just has a sense of being very premium. And I love the feel around the 1st tee and how the clubhouse sits behind it.”