PGA Advanced Professional, Kevin Caplehorn, has been coaching players of all ages and abilities since 1998. Now, his incredible work has been recognised by England Golf, as he is one of the four nominees for the Participation and Development Coach of the Year Award.
Previously, the 48-year-old has coached around the world, plying his trade in a number of continents. However, it is his work with Hampshire’s under 14s and 16s, as well as providing golf lessons to school kids, with the primary focus being on education of their environment, that has given Caplehorn a much-deserved nomination.
“I can’t believe it; the nomination came from absolutely nowhere!” says Caplehorn. “It was such a surprise. At first, I thought: ‘That’s great,’ but when I sat down and thought about it, how you are in the final four, it’s like: ‘Wow. I have just achieved this.’
“You work hard and dedicate your life to not just golf, but others involved in the game. You see so many people out there who you have taught, and they still remember you because you were the one who encouraged them to play. I was sort of, emotional about it really, about how much difference you can make to people’s lives. Sometimes you don’t think you’ll make a difference, but you really do.”
Having coached at Lee-On-The-Solent Golf Club for three-and-a-half years, the Advanced PGA Professional will be starting another chapter of his career at Ampfield Golf Club in Romsey. However, the Advanced Professional’s main priority is to keep the younger generation engaged in the game of golf through the initiatives that he has introduced.
“The Beginner to Winner programme is something I introduced that is based on the judo belt colouring system. So, there’s different stages and tasks that they must complete before they can advance through to the next level,” explains Caplehorn.
“Along with the Beginner to Winner, the Schools’ programme is something that I will be introducing again. Whilst at Lee-On-The-Solent, kids from local schools would come down to the academy course and be given a booklet which they would complete over several weeks.
“Within the booklet, there would be a number of tasks, e.g. they would be asked pick a tree on the course and create a tree rubbing which they would then examine once they got back to the classroom. Another task would include a putting lesson, during which they would learn about grass with our greenkeepers. It’s just a fantastic way for kids to learn about their environment, as well as try out golf at the same time.
“Although Covid has affected some of the programmes, I am happy to say that things are really shaping up nicely for this year. The coaching with Hampshire, the Beginner to Winner programme and, indeed, the Schools’ programme are all ready to launch and I cannot wait,” says Caplehorn, who will be hoping to claim this year’s title at the England Golf Awards on Wednesday 20th April.
*This year’s Awards’ ceremony will be streamed live on the England Golf YouTube channel on 20 April 2022.
