Gavin Grenville-Wood
Director of Coaching & Development
Gavin joined The Hertsmere in June 2022 as our new Director of Coaching and Development. He will be leading a team of impassioned coaches who are driven to enhance players’ love for the game, through learning and developing new skills.
Last year Gavin became a Fellow of the PGA, an accolade awarded for his considerable knowledge, expertise and experience within the field of Coaching over the last 25 years; from the early years in the mid 90s where he developed his passion for coaching at a US based Academy program to the modern day where Gavin headed up Junior Education for Golfzon Leadbetter Academies before coming here. Gavin’s knowledge in the field of development and participation is widely recognised within golf.
Gavin has been responsible for the creation and development of three Academies either side of the Atlantic, all with high levels of participation and engagement from kids and parents alike. Gavin’s experiences have led him to realise that increasing participation and creating sustainable coaching businesses comes down to educating coaches and empowering them with the skills and resources to be able to grow golf efficiently and effectively.
“It will be the coaches role to create their own child-centric program that is based on their own philosophy of how the game should be played and what students need to learn.”
Gavin Grenville-Wood
Today, Gavin’s goal is to get as many kids and families playing the game as possible at The Hertsmere and it’s through the creation of a team of like-minded coaches that this can be facilitated.
Darren Close
PGA Coach & TPI (FIT 4 Golf) Qualified
Having played golf since I was twelve years old, I developed a passion for both coaching and playing. I love that golf is a unique challenge every day and I know I must be at my absolute best to overcome it. I love playing golf, and whilst I’m not especially competitive anymore, I have competed at a prominent level before recurring injuries hindered my performance
Having coached for ten years now, I have worked with players at all levels from beginners to elite, as well as players of all ages. Inspiring my students and watching them improve is what motivates me to be the best coach I can be whilst in the background I’m always learning and striving to improve myself as a coach and a golfer.
My role at The Hertsmere is to inspire and engage as many new golfers as possible, helping to grow our great game. For the existing or more experienced player, I want to reignite their passion for the sport by helping them improve and play better golf. I look forward to seeing you soon at The Hertsmere.
