About Kim
“Having enjoyed a long and varied career in golf, many people and events have influenced my thinking about the game, and have helped frame my beliefs about life in general. As well as my biography, I am pleased to share some experiences and acquaintances that have had a real impact on my life.”
Biography
Kim is a senior PGA Professional with half a century of experience of working in many varied aspects of the game. A former European Tour player, Club Professional and Director of Golf, he has published 2 instructional “FeelGolf” series in Today’s Golfer magazine, co-founded Foremost Golf, and latterly has commentated on the European, Senior and Challenge Tours for TV broadcasters worldwide. An accomplished after dinner speaker, he possesses an entertaining and engaging style of communication, a valuable asset in his “FeelGolf” demo clinics.
A Brief History
* Born in Swansea May 1952
* Maesteg Golf Club member 1964-69, winning 4 trophies in 1968
* European Tour player 1975/6
* Southern Portuguese Professional Champion 1977
* Berks, Bucks and Oxon Pro, Alliance and Open Champion
* Head Pro at Badgemore Park, Stoke Park and Forest of Arden Golf Clubs
* Director of Golf at Mount Juliet Resort, Ireland.
* 1st Chairman, and Co-founder of Foremost Golf
* Author of 2 published series of “FeelGolf” instruction articles
* TV Commentator for European Tour Productions, BBC and ESPN 1997-Present
* After Dinner Speaker for corporate and golf club events 1985-Present
Referrals
David Maclaren, Head of Staysure (European Senior)
Richard Harris, Entertainments Manager at Celtic Manor Resort
Mike Bennett, former Head Professional and Captain of Pennard Golf Club
Chosen Charity
Cancer Research UK
People, places and paths taken
“Life’s encounters and their consequences take you on many different paths, all of which contribute to your character and your beliefs. Whether difficult or delirious in nature, they impact you in more ways than you realise.”
Verdun Thomas
When, at 15 years of age, I said to my father Verdun “ Dad, I’m going to be a Professional golfer” he said “ You are going to get your O levels, then we will talk about it”. That was typical of his safety-backup thinking, which was wise and stood me in good stead for the rest of my life. My dad, my biggest fan.(See pic) I turned Pro at 16 and three quarters.
Dai Rees
One of Wales’ greatest golfers, Dai very kindly sent me a list of Assistant Pro jobs vacancies in early 1969. By March of that year I was working at the prestigious Stoke Poges Golf Club, the location for the golfing scene in the movie Goldfinger. The lanky boy from the valleys was in heaven from the start. Thank you, Dai.
The Big Three
On Sunday evenings, BBC 2 television showed matches between Gary Player, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Played in exotic locations around the world, they captivated me, and Nicklaus (the golden bear) was my early golfing idol. I followed his “Golf my Way” instruction series avidly and, although it contributed to some back problems over the years, I still remember them fondly. I have since met all three in my job as a commentator. Palmer was so instrumental in the business of Professional golf, Player is a global ambassador for the game and a great example of overcoming setbacks and shortcomings to become one of the world’s greats. But Major Man Jack remains the star player of the Big Three for me. In 1980 I took my wife and daughter to a Golden Bear cocktail party in North Berwick, on the eve of the Open. Our daughter was too shy to have her photo taken with the great man, probably feeling the pressure…..Jack came back three times, until eventually she relented, and we have a great picture of them now. Jack knew how much it meant to me, and I will never forget that kindness (and perseverance!)
Peter and Nerys McGuiness
I spent some winter time in and around Vale Do Lobo on the Algarve in the mid seventies, practising for the following seasons. Vale Do Lobo Head Pro Peter, a larger than life Mancunian and his Welsh wife Nerys were incredibly kind and understanding with me. I used the practice ground daily, I jogged the courses each morning , sometimes in the company of tennis legend Roger Taylor. Roger would run 18 holes in the time I took to run 9! Peter and Nerys would put me in touch with Villa owners who needed someone to occupy their beautiful properties while they were away…..what a great deal that was for me! I will always be indebted to Nerys and Peter (who sadly contracted cancer and passed away in his early forties). He was a huge personality with a wicked sense of humour, and a big heart. I was priveleged to speak at his funeral back in Manchester. I thank them both for their support at a key time in my Pro life.
Phillipo and Bedds
The vastly experienced TV Producer, John Phillips, was the man who engaged me as a commentator whilst I was Head pro at The Forest Of Arden, back in 1997. As it turned out, the 20 minute phone call (when he asked me to tell about myself) was the interview. A couple of week’s later I was standing alongside lead man Steve Beddow, doing an in-vision piece , live on the Golf Channel introducing the German Open in Stuttgart (See Pic)…….that’s what you call in at the deep end! I survived and I enjoyed it immensely. John Phillips, a big part in my change of direction from Golf Pro to Broadcaster. He is a generous, innovative and extremely creative person, and an inspiration to those who followed in his footsteps. Steve Beddow was very kind to me, the new boy, at my first TV gig, and has remained so over the years. When I turned up on day one I found a postit note on my screen, which read” welcome to TV land, KISS” which stands for “Keep it simple, stupid!” We were fellow assistant pros in the dim and distant past, and I remember him as a great character and ace commentator.
Algarve Jim
For several years I took parties of club members on golfing weeks to the Algarve in Portugal. We played some of my favourite courses such as Vilamoura, Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago, and we enjoyed some great food, company and competition. I always engaged the travel company, Longshot Golf ,to sort the flights , accommodation and tee time bookings. Their main man Jim Long was a fabulous possessor of enthusiastic organisational abilities, and was a real gentleman too. We became great friends as the years passed. He is another friend in the golf business who is sadly not with us anymore. His smile was never far away……..a sunny radiator , gentle Jim had the ability to make you feel a lot better about things after you met up with him, than you did before……a rare talent.
The Spanish Kid
In 1976 , competing in the Portuguese Open, I was drawn with English former Ryder Cup player Peter Butler, and a young man from Santander . The first round was at Quinta do Lago, where this Spanish youngster hit it all over the place from the tee, then magically chipped and putted to a 74, which I matched with my safer brand of play . The next day we were due to play the much narrower, tree-lined Vale do Lobo track, and I thought “ good luck kid”. He proceeded to shoot 72 , still hitting wild tee shots, and then producing just amazing recovery shots. His second shot on the 8th hole alongside the Don Filipa Hotel is the best shot I have ever seen up close in my entire career. Meanwhile I steered my way to an 81, and we parted company on the leaderboard. At the end of that week my thoughts went something like “If there any many more like him coming along , I’m giving up playing for a living”. He was instrumental in a career change to Club Pro life for me, and in retrospect I thank him for it. Many years later we commentated together at the Spanish Open in San Roque….what a thrill that was for me. Seve Ballesteros, a truly inspired (and inspirational) individual, who changed the course of the European Tour.