Joe Pepperell (pictured above right) has announced he is launching a Short Game Academy at Oxford Golf Club. The historic club’s Head PGA Professional alongside fellow PGA Assistant Professional Martin Woodbridge (pictured above left) will open ‘The Short Game Academy at Oxford Golf Club’ in April. The Academy will be open to golfers of all ages and abilities to receive professional tuition on pitching, chipping and putting and practice their short game in a specially designed practice area.
Joe said the Academy aims to “bring the artistry back to golf” and combine traditional methods with modern day technology. A first-class practice facility has been created at the golf course in Hilltop Road, Oxford, to host the Academy coaching sessions and short game clinics.
Joe said: “The Short Game Academy at the Oxford Golf Club will be a first-class practice facility that will benefit the club, members and visitors and have a lasting impact on the next generation of golfers.
“Modern golf has seen a focus on power and through the Academy Martin and I will re-introduce the creative side of the game. Our philosophy will combine the artistry of golf with technology to help golfers improve their short game. When we both learned to play golf, we had to learn the creative side of the game. This included shot shaping, and a variety of different short game shots round the green.
“The Academy practice area has been designed to focus on shots from 20 to 150 yards, with dedicated targets, bunkers and greens. The short game is an important part of golf but is often neglected. There are very few short game academies in the UK and over time we aim to make the Short Game Academy at Oxford the Go-To place for tuition on pitching, chipping and putting.
“I’d like to give people the opportunities we had as children. Growing up my hero was Seve Ballesteros, who had so much flair and creativity and I’ll being seeking to bring some of that philosophy and inspiration into the Academy.”
Joe started joined Oxford Golf Club in 2009 and became Head Professional in 2015, becoming only the third professional to occupy the position since 1923. His brother is the European tour Professional Eddie.
Oxford Golf Club is the oldest course in Oxfordshire and features a Harry Colt designed 18-hole course, putting green, short-game practice area and coaching academy.
The Short Game Academy at the Oxford Golf Club will be run by Joe and fellow PGA Assistant professional Martin Woodbridge. There will be both dedicated clinics and one to one lessons and it is open to Oxford Golf Club members and non-members.
Oxford Golf Club www.oxfordgolfclub.net