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The Royal Golf Club's head PGA teaching professional Chris Kelby has plenty of hard work ahead of him this summer as construction work on the club's new state-of-the-art academy nears completion.
Chris, who has recently recruited two newly-qualified PGA professionals from the UK to assist him, will be responsible for the design and implementation of a comprehensive tuition strategy at the club.
Lessons will be conducted out of five spacious tuition suites, each opening out onto the 275-metre long, floodlit driving range.
A dedicated practice area will also be on offer to ensure that every aspect of the game can be addressed from driving to pitching to the all-important putting.
The modern circular-shaped academy building will also house a club repairs workshop and custom-fit centre allowing the pros to offer advice on the type of clubs best suited to each individual.
A coffee shop-cum restaurant within the academy will provide healthy snacks and drinks to those heading off to the first tee while also offering relaxing surroundings to parents waiting while their children receive lessons.
Chris, 30, comes from Grantham in Lincolnshire, UK. He started playing golf at the age of 11 but also had a strong interest in football and played for the Nottingham Forest Junior squad as a teenager.
By the age of 16 Chris had managed to get his golf handicap down to scratch and represented his county on numerous occasions over the next few years in various team and individual golf tournaments, including a win at the County Championships in 1997.
By the age of 19 Chris had decided to concentrate on golf for a career and started work at Belton Park Golf Club as a trainee assistant professional.
In 2002, Chris took up a position as a PGA teaching professional at the Abu Dhabi Golf & Equestrian Club where he enjoyed teaching people from a diverse range of nationalities and cultures. He joined Riffa Golf Club in 2004 and became instrumental in expanding and improving the junior and ladies tuition programmes at the club.
From this week onwards, Chris will provide top golfing tips to GulfWeekly readers - for beginners as well as seasoned players - on how to improve their skills on the green.
