Stephen Hayes pictured with Shane Livesey who is the latest member of the Pro Shop team at Douglas Golf Club. Picture: Niall O’Shea

Shane Livesey is the newest member of the pro shop team in Douglas, the 21 year old joined Stephen last year and has enrolled in the three year PGA Professional programme.  Shane, who played Senior Cup with Monkstown and previously worked with David O’Sullivan in Cobh, is enjoying his new role in Douglas.  “I have settled in very well since joining Douglas Golf Club as an PGA assistant Pro last August thanks to the help and support of both Steve and Dave” said Shane.  “It is great to have the opportunity to work in such an established golf club, the members have given me a great welcome and are very supportive and interested as to how my PGA training is going.”  Mixing the full time role in Douglas with his studies can be a challenge as he explained.  “My PGA training started in October 18 and since then there was been a big change as now I have to balance working in the pro shop, assist in coaching the juniors, studying, and also trying to practice. The lectures and assignments are all done online and I have just recently returned from first year residential week at the Belfry. This was a great opportunity to get to meet the other PGA assistants.  We had lectures consisting of business studies, phycology, retail, golf coaching, custom fitting and sports science.  With only three months left of my first year this is a particularly busy time with assignments and also preparing for my exams in May. It’s great to have Steve and Dave share their knowledge and experience which has been a great help to me.”

Livesey is the third PGA trainee to work under Stephen Hayes, following in the footsteps of Brian O’Donovan and Davey Barry, and Stephen has been suitably impressed so far.  “Shane has been a fantastic addition to the team” said Hayes.  “He is a great worker and really loves everything to do with Golf.  Shane has been helping out with some of our Group Coaching and will be really pushing our Custom Fitting Service over the coming year.”