PGA European Tour 2017 rookie Gary King revealed recently that he is one of the many golf professionals to have benefited from being able to fine tune his short game at home with a Huxley Golf installation.
Gary was just 12 when, recognising his son’s talent, George King first contacted Huxley Golf in 2003 to enquire about a practice facility.
An all-weather 15ft (4.5m) x 25ft (7.6m) putting green was subsequently installed in the family’s garden, complete with an extensive fringe surround so that the area could be used for chipping practice as well.
Mr King, said: “Juniors do not hit the ball very far and their swing is in early development so the key to having a successful junior career rests with the short game.
“I believe that having a putting green which you can also chip to at home from an early age has given Gary a massive advantage over his peers in his short game development and, as a result, his success as a junior and as a professional.”
Some 14 years later, the Huxley Golf team recently revisited the player’s Surrey home to ensure that the practice facility is in peak condition to maximise Gary’s performance potential in this most important year ahead: Gary qualified for the 2017 European Tour last November.
Gary King commented: “For as long as I can remember, my Huxley Golf green has given me the opportunity to putt and chip all year round on a tournament quality surface. This ability to practise at a moment’s notice has undoubtedly helped me to get to this pivotal point in my career and it will continue to enable me to practise in between Tour commitments.”
As an amateur, Gary won the U14 and U18 Surrey Junior Championships, the Hampshire Hog and the Scandia Junior Open, breaking the course record at Sheringham Golf Club with a 64. He went on to represent England boys in the home internationals in Wales, European boys in Slovenia, World boys in Japan and the Jaques Leglise Trophy in Scotland.
Turning professional in 2009, Gary played on the EuroPro Tour, winning the 2015 World Snooker Open and 2015 Buildbase Open before going on to win the 2015 Abu Dhabi Golf Citizen Open on the Mena Tour and the 2016 Montecchia Italian Open on the Challenge Tour. A steady start to the season in 2017 has seen him tied 14th at the BMW South African Open.
Huxley Golf General Manager Paul Chester added: “All of us at Huxley Golf are proud to have played a small part in Gary’s development and achievements to date. We wish him much success on the European Tour this year and look forward to continuing to support his practice needs for years to come.”
The PGA accredited Huxley Golf provides premier all-weather surfaces for golf around the world for individuals, training and coaching establishments, golf resorts, ranges and academies as well as many top-flight courses. Clients include thirteen Open Championship and Ryder Cup venues as well as Major Championship winners, Ryder Cup and tournament players.
