Member Article

Ramside Hall appoints first female Trainee Golf Professional

Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club has appointed Natasha Martin as a Trainee Golf Professional to work at its private members club, driving range and Golf Academy.

Natasha, 19, previously spent two years working as a volunteer coach with Ramside Rookies - a fun program of classes to introduce children to golf.

Ramside Golf Club Head Professional Kevin Jackson was so impressed by her attitude, ability and commitment that he offered Natasha the opportunity to start a three-year training program to become a fully qualified PGA (Professional Golfer’s Association) Golf Professional.

Natasha, from Beamish, County Durham, said: “I had been studying a degree in applied Sports Science with coaching at Northumbria University when I got a call from Kevin telling me that an opportunity had come up for me to work at Ramside as a Trainee PGA Professional.

I left University the very next day and am now doing what I have always wanted to do – learning to teach golf and work in the sport I love.“

She is the first female golfer to undergo the PGA (Professional Golfer’s Association) training qualification at Ramside Golf Club since its foundation in 1996.

Helen Roseberry, director of golf at Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club, said: “We are thrilled that Natasha has joined our golf operations team. It’s a historic appointment for our golf club and our hope is that Natasha plays a major role in encouraging more women, juniors and new starters to give golf a go.”

Natasha turned professional following an outstanding amateur career in which she represented Durham County Ladies Golf Union at girls and senior level and was the most successful Captain in the history of Durham Gilesgate Sixth Form Centre Golf Academy.

Her achievements include winning the Ladies Club Championship at Beamish Park Golf Club twice and setting a new ladies course record at Houghton Le-Spring-Golf Club.

Her new role will see Natasha working at Ramside Golf Academy’s 16-bay floodlit driving range and short game practice facilities, as well as working at golf club reception and in the Ramside Golf Shop.

“I’d encourage any young person to try volunteering in order to gain experience in a career path or field that they feel drawn to. It’s obviously paid off for me but if I hadn’t been willing I would never have discovered how much I enjoy helping people develop and improve their golf skills,” added Natasha.

For more about Ramside Golf Club Golf Academy, visit: www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk/golf

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matthew Moore .