West Midlands: Former European Tour pro opens golf school

Former European Tour golfer John Cook is set to open a golf academy at Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire.

In a 20-year coaching career, Cook has been acclaimed by many of the game’s leading names as a master of his profession.

Among these was Butch Harmon, who said: “Some people are teachers, some are coaches, some are professors. John Cook is all of the above.”

Cook, who lives adjacent to Heythrop Park, will be joined by his son Mathew, who is also a successful European Tour golf coach.

‘I always tell people to appreciate what a great sport they are involved in’ “Heythrop Park has by far the best short game facility for teaching in Oxfordshire,” said Cook. “The greens here are magnificent, right now, in winter. They are unbelievable quality for this early in the year, and a dream to play on if you want to learn to putt better.

“There really isn’t a shot which you can’t play at the Heythrop practice facility. The Bainbridge Course is not only the best course in the county, but it is one of the best in the entire Home Counties region.”

Several Tour golfers will be coached by the team at Heythrop Park, including Nontaya Srisawang, who will play on the LPGA, Ladies European Tour golfer Titiya Plucksataporn, and European Tour winner Kiradech Aphibarnat.

Cook recently coached the Oxford University golf team to five successive victories against Cambridge University and said he is passionate about coaching golfers of all levels.

He said: “My aim is to maximise the potential of every pupil, whether their goal is to finish in the Top 10 in a club competition, or to go on to be a superstar on the amateur or professional tours.

“Apart from improving their game, I always tell people to appreciate what a great sport they are involved in and how important it is to have fun playing it.”