Michael Henning Golf Academy and ProShop
Lee It has definitely felt like the longest winter in the 16 years I have been working for Michael in the shop. The weather in January meant that we went days only looking at each other (not a pretty sight!). Two girls however thought that it was great fun every day for about an hour until their fingers and toes became numb. I have been training for a half marathon that was completed on Sunday 21 February in a respectable time of 1 hour 55 minutes. I was slightly disappointed to be overtaken 500 yards from the line by a man dressed as a giant lucozade bottle. I am trying to convince myself to run the London or Brighton marathon next year. On the family side, in October Julie and I took Phoebe and Freya to Euro Disney for a couple of days. It is an incredible place and dreams really did come true having photographs taken with their favourite princesses Cinderella and Ariel. Phoebe is now 4 and starts school full time in September and Freya has just turned 3 and will start nursery five days a week also in September. Both are looking forward to it very much. On Sunday and Monday afternoons we all enjoy taking the girls on their bikes either along Seaford or Rottingdean seafront, where Julie likes the tea and Cake stop! Some of you may have seen my father, Peter, doing odd jobs in the shop or on the range. When he is not doing this for Mike (worlds worst DIY) he is putting picture frames and beds up for me (second worst DIY expert). He played at the end of January here for the first time ever. Hard to believe that he lives in Sussex and was once the Captain of Peacehaven golf.
Andrew It has certainly been a long, cold and very frustrating winter but we are now kicking into gear with a better "feel" to the start of the season. At least there were some positives to come out of the snow covered days: Making preparations for the year ahead and getting the shop ready for "business as usual"! Our teaching diaries have been really busy through February and March and filling steadily into April and May already. A huge thank you to all my pupils for their continued support and I would like to wish every single one of you a very successful season and reduction in your handicap! My family are all well and the day that I am writing this exert is exactly two years on to the day of the appearance of baby Owen into the world - Happy Birthday Owen! My mother is in fine form and my sister Annette, along with Nathan, Monty and Ruby is really enjoying living in Sussex. We went to Cornwall on a family holiday in October and had a great time. I even got to play at St. Enodoc wish was lovely and now know why Mike likes it so much. Now to the crunch, Wales rugby team.... How frustrating, they have gift wrapped more passes than Father Christmas on a busy night! I managed to go to "Twickenham" and also took Kate to her first game against the French in Cardiff which we thoroughly enjoyed. Both results could have been better though. Nevermind, there's always next year and besides we are playing England at the Millenium Stadium!! Again a huge thank you to all of our customers and have a great season enjoying the highs and lows of this fabulous game.
Alastair It is a great feeling that spring is just around the corner and that the season is soon to start. Hopefully the sun will shine so that we can all make up for the golfing time lost earlier this year. Last year was nice and busy for everyone. I would to thank every one of my pupils for their support and I would like to congratulate so many of you for improving your game and reducing your handicaps. As many of you know our lesson structure is changing to 50 minute sessions. We feel this is for the best with regard to pupils achieving more in each lesson. From a learning point the extra time will allow the pupils longer to really get the feeling and understanding of the changes they need to make, because in many cases we have found 30 minutes to be insufficient. I had a successful season last year enjoying my most consistent golf to date. With a couple of wins I finished 3rd in the Sussex order of Merit and plan this year to fit in as many competitions into my days off as is possible. I wish you a bright and sunny season and look forward to being of service to you through the coming year.
Mark After a long hard winter I am looking forward to a long summer! I have decided to hang the clubs up and take a step back from tournament golf this year to concentrate on teaching, I still love to practice and play with friends and I will always keep my standard up as I have a annual trip to the U.S with friends and I hate to lose!!!!!. I have taken an even bigger step this year but forwards this time, I will be getting married at the end of August to the lucky lady in the picture, the picture is of Lucy is in Morocco where I proposed, it wasn’t as straight forward as I had planned as the ring was hidden in the case and the wrong case was delivered to our room!!!! Lucy wasn’t too bothered but I was a little concerned as you can imagine, luckily after half an hour or so the correct case arrived and all was well. The season is just around the corner, so its time to get your clubs out and come and see us, I hope that you all have a great golfing year and I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Hayleigh After a very good 2009 I hope this year will be even better. Now I have been enrolled by the Professional Golfer’s Association I am looking forward to improving my knowledge of what it takes to become a fully qualified professional golfer, learning about the business and especially improving my coaching skills. My trip to the Belfry was a pleasant experience meeting other trainees, making new friends and learning the new skills required. It was an eventful and tiring week but very worth it. Working under Michael and with all the professionals in the shop has been very enjoyable; everyone has been so encouraging helping me with any queries about my course or within the shop and also my golf. I am looking forward to the new season and hope this year will produce lots of good golf.