Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club in Richmond, south-west London, has announced that Assistant Professional Dean Rodgers will become only the seventh Head Professional in its 128-year history next month.
Rodgers, who has been an Assistant PGA Professional at the club for 13 years after arriving as a trainee, assumes the senior position from June 1. Current head professional Matthew Paget is stepping down from the role, while continuing to expand his golf and retail business with the support of the club.
Past Head Professionals at Royal Mid-Surrey include the legendary Open Champions JH Taylor – designer of both 18-hole courses alongside the River Thames and Kew Gardens – and Sir Henry Cotton. Max Faulkner was an Assistant Professional at the club when he won The Open at Royal Portrush in 1951. They were followed by Jimmy Adams, David and Philip Talbot and latterly Matthew Paget.
“It’s a great honour for me to take on the task of Head Professional at the club and to follow in the footsteps of such historic figures in the game,” said Rodgers. “My own expertise began with the development of talented club members and the juniors we have under our thriving Academy systems. The aim now is for my talented team and I to offer the best possible services in terms of coaching, club fitting and retail to all our members at the club and visitors.”
Rodgers, who hails from Balham in south London, began playing from the age of six at Addington Court in Croydon then enjoyed several years as part of a very talented group of golfers as a junior member of Woodcote Park in Coulsdon. He will now oversee the work of Club Assistant Professionals Dan, Alice, Lewis, Pete and Jonathan, plus retail assistants Joe and Cathy – all of whom will continue to be employed by Paget as part of the new arrangement.
“Since coming to Royal Mid-Surrey, Dean has proved himself to be a very accomplished Assistant Professional and we’re delighted to be able to reward him with this well-deserved promotion,” said club chairman Chris Holt. “We are also very happy to support Matthew after his outstanding 13 years as Head Professional, during which he mentored excellent Assistants and introduced many successful initiatives in the pro shop and beyond. I’m sure that the club and its members will benefit from this new arrangement and the expansion of his business,” he added.
Paget commented: “I am so proud to have served as Head Professional at Royal Mid-Surrey since 2007. I have loved every moment and have so many fantastic memories. I am delighted to be succeeded by Dean, who has worked with me for 16 years and developed into the best club professional for the best golf club in the country.”
