The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Driving forward
New golf studio created by former pro
Many business entrepreneurs would have thought twice about taking the plunge and starting a new venture during the Covid-19 pandemic.
But not golf coach Julie Otto, who opened a purpose-built indoor golf facility in Anstruther a few months ago.
The Golf Studio has a hi-tech simulator which allows golfers to develop their skills and practise on a virtual driving range and golf courses.
Construction work started last July and the first session was in September.
Julie said there are other indoor facilities in the area, but she offers something a little different – a professional and personal touch for clients which can help and support them with their golf, develop skills and knowledge as well as their enjoyment of the game.
She added: “The Golf Studio was something I had thought about for a number of years.
“The ability to have my own facility in which I can manage my own time and business was extremely attractive. The pandemic merely brought those ambitions to the forefront.”
Julie said The Golf Studio has attracted her existing golf-coaching customers, as well as new clients.
When asked how coronavirus has affected her as a golf coach, Julie replied: “The first lockdown was tough on everyone – whatever profession you are in.
“Coming out of the first lockdown there was a real demand for golf coaching, which was lovely after a period of time being unable to work.
“Concentrating efforts on planning and building The Golf Studio really gave me a sense of focus during that time.
“The most recent period of lockdown/stay at home certainly affected the plans for indoor coaching at a time when the studio should have been busy.
“However, the project is not short-term and the diary is already getting busy in preparation for being able to coach indoors again at the end of this month.”
Julie said she is very positive about what the coming months could hold as virus restrictions start to ease.
“I thoroughly believe that golf will see another boom in interest and participation this summer, and I would hope that in winter 2021-22 the studio will come into its own.”
Julie is also looking to expand the range of services at the venture.
“This year I will be extending the offer from one-to-one coaching to help with club fitting and equipment,” she said.
“Essentially, The Golf Studio is about quality – quality of coaching, quality of advice, and quality of experience.”
In the next five years, she wants to see her venture become the leading indoor golf facility for professional golf coaching in Scotland.
Julie was born in Suffolk and brought up in Felixstowe where her father introduced her to the game at the age of 11.
At 19, she was selected for the first time to represent her country in the European Lady Junior Team Championships. After a rush to get a passport in time, Julie travelled to Germany where the England team won the gold medal.
She went on to win national and international titles, including the Ladies British Open Amateur Championship, Ladies British Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship, the English Ladies Amateur Championship, the Spanish Amateur Championship and the Australian Amateur Championship between 1987 and 1996.
Julie represented both England and Great Britain & Ireland from 1986 to 1996 and eventually decided to leave the competitive game as the reigning British Champion after the 1996 Curtis Cup Match.
Making a brief competitive reappearance in 1997, Julie and her foursomes partner Helen Wadsworth won the 1997 Sunningdale Foursomes.
Julie was twice awarded The Daily Telegraph Woman Golfer of the Year, in 1993 and 1995.
Moving on to a career in administration of the game, Julie took up a position with the Ladies Golf Union in St Andrews before joining the staff of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews as assistant director of rules.
She has been a rules official at nine Open Championships as well as numerous international events across the world.
Julie has also developed her career as a golf coach. She completed the PGA Training Programme in 2014 and the former pro was named Titleist PGA Assistant of the Year the following year.