Stonehenge
20 year-old, Jordan Smith has been selected for The Walker Cup team. He is the only Wiltshire player included in the squad.
The Walker Cup is the highest level of amateur golf competition in the world and as such establishes Jordan – currently ranked 17th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking – as one of the world’s best amateur players.
Having been enrolled as a youngster into its scholarship programme, Jordan’s progress over the years has been closely and proudly followed by Bowood Golf near Calne who wish him and his team all the very best as they prepare to fly to New York at the end of August to face their U.S. counterparts in The Walker Cup match from 7th-8th September at the National Golf Links of America in Southampton, N.Y.
“Household names including Tiger Woods and Luke Donald are amongst some of the players that have competed in previous Walker Cup events. Inclusion in the team is without doubt a life changing experience for Jordan,” said Paul McLean, Bowood’s Head PGA Professional. “It is also a fantastic achievement for Bowood’s Teaching Professional, Simon Shanks who has coached Jordan for a number of years.”
Jordan has reached these heady heights having been enrolled by Bowood Golf into its scholarship programme, designed to nurture and encourage promising ability at the outset of a golfing career. It was at Bowood that a 13 year old Jordan first played golf graduating onwards through Bowood’s Junior Programme of summer holiday coaching. Enjoying membership of Bowood’s golf club and spa, Jordan has access to the gym, practice facilities on the 18-hole championship golf course, coaching and personal trainers as part of Bowood’s sponsorship support. In return, Jordan has represented Bowood in the qualifying tours and tournament golf that serve as stepping stones to broader ambitions and circuits.
Jordan also draws on the support of the English Golf Union for help with various disciplines and activities to benefit his game: from sports nutrition to fitness, coaching and winter training camps, for instance, the country’s governing body for amateur golf will assist in steering his overall development. This support is conducted in co-ordination with his coach, Simon Shanks – who last year was listed in Golf World magazine’s ‘Top 100 Golf Coaches in Great Britain & Ireland’.
