Mankert aims to expand his scholarship scheme
TOP COACHING PRO DRAWING UP PLANS TO MARK 20TH ANNIVERSARY
THIS year marks the 20th anniversary of the first scholarship for a young golfer by award-winning PGA professional Anders Mankert (Oadby), which has set him thinking about his next moves, writes Jennifer Prentice.
He is recognised widely as a top coaching pro, and for his work with totally blind and visually handicapped golfers of all ages.
Mankert redeveloped and reopened the former Oadby golf course after it had been shut for many years and his new golf centre has proved a great success.
But it has taken him a lot of hard work and effort to reach this stage.
When he awarded his first golf scholarship all those years ago, it went to a young Northamptonshire boy Ryan Evans, who had a 10 handicap.
But his improvement was remarkable and exciting.
Evans became a full European Tour professional and is still a playing pro.
He demonstrated his fine form recently when he fired a new course record of 10-under-par 62 around his old home course Wellingborough GC while winning a regional tournament.
Mankert’s most recent award winner is Olivia Williams, from Worcestershire.
In the past few weeks, she has won the English Schools Championship and was captain of the England schools team in their match against Wales.
Her handicap was 15 when she gained the scholarship and now she plays off the plus three mark.
Mankert said: “Initially, I was rather concerned about giving Olivia the scholarship award because it meant a lot of commitment and travelling, not only for her, but also for her family.
“At the time when we discussed it, she said with the backing of her father, she would be here for every lesson time. She has maintained that commitment and her development has been tremendous.
“In fact, all the boys and girls who I have coached through this scheme have been hugely enthusiastic and hard working.
“They have gone on to have careers in golf and I feel very proud of them all.”
So what is next for Mankert and his scholarship award scheme?
He has decided the time is right to develop a new, expanded scholarship and will be inviting entries from keen young boy or girl golfers from the county and further afield.
Mankert said: “Each time I have made an award, I have made it more comprehensive than just coaching.
“I have introduced several other important facets, such as nutrition and fitness, as well as offering advice on a wide range of issues that will help to boost the recipient’s skills and potential success. I think these additional aspects have worked well for each of the winners and I will be finalising my invitation over the next few weeks.
“Ideally then I will invite entries with the view of having a new scheme in place early in the new year.
“This is a crucial time for young golfers right at the start of the new season, so someone can be well prepared and ready to go for the early competitions and matches for which they may be eligible.
“It is an exciting time and I want to get everything clear before inviting the entries which I hope to do very soon now.
“The response has grown considerably since I made that initial award to the young Ryan Evans 20 years ago.
“I did not feel it was the right time to launch the new scheme until we had come through the longest of the lockdowns due to coronavirus.
“Hopefully, everyone is now more confident about looking forward and getting a return to something more normal.”