Gloucestershire Golf Union
Lockdown Lounge 2021: County Coach Spotlight - Tom Gillespie
Your name and role within the Gloucestershire Golf Union
Tom Gillespie, PGA Advanced Coach, GGU U14 Performance Squad Coach and Team Manager and Glos CAP Head Coach.
Tell us what your role is about and what it involves
Identifying young golfers to enter the system and then developing a programme that maximizes help for the individual needs while. Giving them access to the best resources available.
How did you get in to golf and how long have you been involved in the game?
The local council had built a course just down from my house where my dad and brother played and when the golf boom hit in the mid 80's me and some of my friends wanted to give it a try.
Please provide the name of a book, a film or a video that you would recommend for inspiration for personal or professional development
The Last Dance: Documentary series on Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls that goes into the tough times and personalities and how that links to success and failure.
24 Hour Party People Tony Wilson: this book looks at the rise and fall of factory records might seem a strange choice, but it shows a bunch of people who will sacrifice everything for what they love doing.
What is your favourite course, and why?
I can’t pick one so here's three:
Oakdale GC: Mackenzie's prototype for Augusta.
St Dionys GC Luneburg (Germany): Just went into a Bavarian forest and built a golf course.
Normanby Hall: My home club and just get's better every year, although a municipal designed by the same people as Minchinhampton.
Who's the best player you've ever played with, and what was it it about their game that impressed you the most?
Dan Greenwood PGA National champion 2013, PGA Cup team member.
Unorthodox, no amateur pedigree but totally unafraid of trying anything to get the ball in the hole. Would challenge Robert Rock in the midland region every year and would take bets off members to hit drivers off the paving stones outside the shop.
What's the best shot you've ever seen in golf (either in person or on TV), and why?
Seve's approach in to 16 at The Open in 88. In the pressure of the final round with his Nick Price throwing arrows at the flag and he just putts it stone dead. My favourite shot from my favourite player.
Do you support any professional sports teams and, if so, which ones?
Being Scottish footballs in my blood so unfortunately the national team and my local side growing up Scunthorpe United.
If there was one sporting event that you could attend, which one would it be and why?
I went to the Ryder cup in 2001 which I don't think could be bettered so it'd be a tossup between the FIFA World Cup final and The Masters.
In your experience, what are the main qualities you see in players who continue to make progress in the game?
I think they are great listeners yet not afraid to question what they're seeing, feeling or being told as they have a restless enthusiasm for the game.
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