Player Development Programme - Session 3

The third session of the Player Development Programme (PDP) took place at East Sussex National (ESN) on Saturday, January 17th.

The day kicked off with the ladies gathering for coffee, where they had the pleasure of meeting Jamie Spence. Jamie has made a name for himself as a Golf Commentator with Sky Sports, and he has lent his voice to the Women’s British Open for the last five years. Notably, he was also the coach and manager of the Women’s GB Olympic Team during the Rio 2016 Games. With experience as a member of the backroom staff for both the Ryder Cup and the Solheim Cup, Jamie brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. He has coached notable players like Trish Johnson and Becky Brewerton, who was an ex-European No. 1, as well as working on short game techniques with Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari. With his impressive background, the Sussex Ladies were eager to soak up his wisdom. Jamie emphasised the importance of a strong short game in his own success and shared insights on wedge play and putting, making the concepts easy to understand. He stressed that effective preparation is key before stepping onto the course.
 

For the practical session, everyone broke into three groups to utilise the practice facilities. After 40 minutes, the groups rotated, allowing everyone to engage with the material Jamie presented. Jack Budgen, the coach, led a group in the teaching bay, employing a wedge ladder drill enhanced by technology and the renowned ‘Mr Trackman’. Another group took to the putting green to play bowls, experimenting with a fun activity using a putter and a golf ball to hone their skills in reading lines and mastering pace. Meanwhile, the last group engaged in a game of boule on another green, putting into practice the chipping techniques Jamie had discussed.
 

It was fantastic to have seven juniors join us for the day although two had other commitments, Darci was attending England Regional training! The girls are dedicated and working hard under the guidance of Karen Parks, the Junior Director, and coach Rob Callaghan. Many of them are making strides toward inclusion in the 1st and 2nd ladies teams.
 

Feedback from the day has been overwhelmingly positive, with everyone expressing anticipation for the next session scheduled for February 22nd at ESN. A big thank you to Coach Jack Budgen, Jamie Spence, the PDP players, County Captain Margaret Brown, and Junior Director Karen Parks for their ongoing support and dedication.

PDP manager Sara Whittaker was thrilled that the weather held up and didn't interfere with the practical session, especially after Jamie's inspiring presentation. A few pictures from the day.

    

. 

Return to News Page

Created by intelligentgolf version 10.1.2.