ALEX Clapp, one of the assistant professionals at Enmore Golf Club, has returned to the club where he first began playing 20 years ago - after what has been quite a golfing journey, writes Richard Walsh.

“I first got into golf through my Dad who has been a member at Enmore for a long time,” Clapp said.

“I became a member when I was about 10 and went onto become junior captain.”

Clapp attended Blake School before going onto Bridgwater College, where he captained the golf squad and was part of the team that competed in the national finals.

After completing a BTEC National Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science, he was awarded a Golf Scholarship to attend Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida, so at the age of 18 Clapp flew off to sunnier climes.

“I’d been out to America with my parents on holiday but never envisaged myself going over there to play.

“It was a bit difficult at first but probably it’s one of the best things that I have ever done.

“It was an experience that I would never change. It really helped me to grow as a person.”

Clapp played for the university golf team for four years, and captained the side in his final two years, winning the National Minority Collegiate Golf Championship twice.

When he returned home at the age of 22 he turned professional and played on the mini tour circuits around England.

“However after three years I started to realize that it didn’t really work for me, and I fell out of love with golf if I’m honest.

“I returned to being an amateur and tried to rekindle my love for the game.

“Since then I have begun to play well and have won the Club Championship at Enmore and started to love the game and take an interest in it.

“Then two years ago the opportunity came up at Enmore to join Barry [Forster] as an assistant.

“Being back at Enmore feels like I have come home, and hopefully my time here will help me to better myself even more.

“Ultimately my goal is to be a golf coach on tour, which is what I am working towards, and currently I work with over 30 regional and mini tour professionals.

"I also coach David Dixon who is on the European Tour, which I really enjoy.

“People seem to like the way I coach, so it's all going well for me.

"I have started to grow an online presence and teach people all over the world, which is the way forward.”

He added: “I never stop trying to better myself and trying to refine my coaching style.

"I am a student of the game and love learning about it, and then sharing that information with everyone who works with me.”

Anyone who wants to contact Alex Clapp can email alexclappgolf185@outlook.com or call him on 07860 350569.