In the swing
Matthew Dearden is a professional golfer sponsored by MIB Facades based at the The Vale Hotel Golf and Spa Resort.
The magazine Vale Country Life (VCL) caught up with him to chat about sport and why he decided to make golf his life…
VCL: How old are you?
Matthew Dearden: I am 30 years old. I started
playing golf as an 11 year old but really only
started taking the sport seriously at around 15
due to school and other sport commitments. As
a youngster I enjoyed playing. most sports
including football and rugby.
VCL: How did you begin your career as a
professional golfer?
MD: I am a fully qualified PGA Golf Professional
and started my career at my then home club
Llantrisant and Pontyclun, before moving to The
Vale to complete my PGA training.
Following a few years at The Vale I spent 12
months at the Celtic Manor as a teaching
professional, before moving abroad to work for
the German hotel chain 'Robinsons'. Working for
the chain gave me the opportunity to teach at
their resorts across the world including Egypt,
Greece and Austria.
VCL: How long have you been playing golf?
MD: I have been playing full time golf for the
past three years and have achieved a number of
creditable results including making the halfway
cut in my maiden European tour event in
Moscow, shooting scores of 72,70,72,72. Along
with numerous wins around Wales and the West
I won the 2007 West Wales Classic at
Ashburnham on the Celtic Pro Tour, and was 2nd
in the 2007 Celtic Pro Tour Championships at St
Pierre.
VCL: What is the most recent championship
you have taken part in? How did you do?
MD: My most recent tournament was the British
Open Qualifier at Ferndown Golf Club, where I
finished joint 12th. Although my score of 70
(one under) was good enough to get me into a
play-off for the final qualifying spot
unfortunately I did not progress to final
qualifying. Next year maybe!
VCL: What advice would you give to other
aspiring golfers?
MD: My advice to any aspiring young golfers
would be to enjoy your practice, especially
chipping and putting. Enjoy the challenge of
playing golf. And finally practice more putting.
VCL: How do you think the Ryder Cup coming
to Wales will affect the game locally?
MD: I believe the Ryder Cup coming to Wales in
2010 will be the making of golf in Wales. We
have so many great golf courses it can only be
good news for all involved in the Welsh gaffing
industry.
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