Shropshire Star

Harry Jones tees up Bethpage course

The course manager at a Shropshire golf club has been part of the green-keeping team carrying out preparations this year’s US PGA Championships.

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Wrekin Golf Club’s Harry Jones was one of a seven-strong British contingent who headed out earlier this month to the world renowned Bethpage Black course in New York.

Jones was personally asked by Bethpage superintendent Andrew Wilson to be part of the team who prepared the course for one of the world’s four major championships.

For 10 days, the team have worked intensely to ensure the course is in prime condition for the likes of Justin Rose, Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods who were teeing off today.

Jones said: “The run-up to the competition is very intensive for the team. No-one is sure what they will be doing, it could be anything from mowing greens, tees, raking bunkers to course set-up. That’s what I love, it’s all about team work.”

It’s not the first time that Jones has been involved with working on a major tournament. In 2017 he was selected for the team that worked on the Players’ Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Florida.

And it’s these experiences that Harry brings back to the Wrekin.

“The experience is invaluable,” added Jones.

“Seeing how these big courses set up for competitions or whether it’s the agronomy side, machinery set up or staff management. The one thing you learn is that preparation is the key to success. I’m looking to bring my experience back to Wrekin Golf Club. The expectation of golfers is getting higher and higher year on year so what better place to go and learn at the very top level.”

The wealth of knowledge that Harry brings back to Wrekin Golf Club is not lost on its membership as Dominic Bagnall, the Club’s new Course Director explained “The expertise Harry brings back from these tournaments to our Club is second to none and the benefits are to be seen in the major improvements he has been making on our golf course”.