Last year 14 year old Ryan Gavin had an outstanding year of golf, he won the British Junior Golf Tour’s OOM, won events at Wentworth, Woodhall Spa, and Fox Hills, he reduced his handicap by 8 shots to 5, and he qualified for The World Junior Golf Championships in California - a pretty good year in anyones books! Unfortunately Ryan had to miss his chance to play in California due to the pandemic and im sure that for many 14 year olds this disappointment would have been a huge setback but he used it as motivation to grow. Ryans motivation led to him tirelessly working on his game in his back garden over the lockdown and as soon as the restrictions were lifted he hit the ground running.

Ryans hard work was recognised by the county who awarded him the Warwickshire u16’s captaincy which got his year off to a good start before heading to the World Junior Golf Championships qualifier where he qualified AGAIN by winning the event and earning his place in California in 2021. Ryan was later invited to the England Boy’s U18’s trials where he duly impressed the coaches, won the trials and was selected to be part of the Midland Boys U18’s England Team.

Despite Ryan’s recent successes over the past couple of years, It hasn’t all been plain sailing. In this time he’s battled a massive developmental leap, he’s grown almost a foot in this time and increased his clubbed speed by more than 15 mph. Such physical changes make it challenging to control the swing and this twinned with extra speed can make it very difficult for junior golfers to keep the ball on the golf course during this time. As juniors bodies change their swings can look unrecognisable from week to week which is why I place a much greater emphasis on developing skills as opposed to technique at this time.

As his coach over the past 2 years its been amazing to see his progress despite his physical changes, the speed in which his handicap has reduced from 13 handicap to 1 is pretty impressive but we both know there is a long road ahead of us for him to reach his goal of playing on the PGA Tour. He has a strong team around him with a supportive family, a superb strength and conditioning coach in Ray Jakeman and im proud to help shape his development on the technical and psychological side. Im excited to see where his hard work can take him next summer.