BEN Spanton has a wide experience as a golf professional, and he is looking to use his skills and experience after being appointed as head professional at Alderley Edge Golf Club.

He will be working alongside former Edge professional Charles le Sueur, who has now taken on the role as Golf Director at the club.

Ben outlined his career in golf to date and ambitions in his new role.

 “I started to learn to play golf at around the age of eight years old when living in Norfolk after being introduced to it by my uncle, who lived in Kent,” he said.

“Once our family moved to Cheshire, I started to play more golf and became a junior member at Wilmslow Golf Club, eventually becoming junior captain.

“I studied Applied Golf Management Studies at University of Birmingham and became a fully qualified PGA Professional in 2011 whilst working at Warrington Golf Club.

“I worked under Head Professional Reay Mackay for the next 13 years and learned so much along the way. Reay was fantastic to work for and I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club.

“I was lucky enough to be involved with the Cheshire County boys and girls coaching and Cheshire County Academy Programme for boys and girls coaching for several years.

“I would like to thank Reay for all his support over the years whilst working for him. I learned a great deal about customer service, coaching and how to look after members of your club.”

Spanton also outlined his ambitions for his new role, including getting more women and youngsters playing the game.

“Since I came to Alderley Edge, everyone that I have met so far has been very friendly and supportive,” he said.

“I haven't been able to meet everyone yet due to the recent poor weather meaning we haven't seen the usual number of golfers at this time of year – fingers crossed this changes pretty quickly.

“My role will include coaching of all ages and abilities, particularly focusing on junior golf.

“I will also be involved with the day-to-day running of the pro shop including retail, custom fittings and equipment repairs.

“My aim is to work closely alongside Charles to continue to develop and grow golf at the club.

“We aim to build and nurture relationships with the members of the club and to create a community feel.

“In the long term, I hope to be able to assist the club in getting the junior members playing more golf and recruit more lady golfers.

“I don’t have any particular golfing idols but I always enjoyed watching Sergio Garcia play when I was growing up.”

Meanwhile, Richard Walker topped Division One of the recent Stableford at Alderley Edge with 36 points – two ahead of Elliot Bayne. Gary Johnstone, Drew Roberts, Andrew Boyle and Janette Smith all finished on 33.

Joshua Harding topped Division Two with 42, four more than Tony Griggin and Andrew Hogg.

Andrew Slater was the clear winner of Alderley’s nine-hole Stableford with 22 points – five more than Billy Bennett, Hansel Allen and Elliot Bayne.

Over at Styal Golf Club, Sue Grange won round one of the Summer Cup with 18 points as she finished four clear of Jane Gaskell and Mel Hill.

The Styal men played a two-from-three team Stableford, and leading in on 64 points were D O’Brien, G Swann and P Gray. Finishing on 62 was the team of B Mannell, P Hill and Nick Gillings.

Max Henshall led Division One of Styal’s 15-hole Saturday Stableford on 34 points, one clear of Steve James with Craig Knight two points further back.

Division Two was much closer, with a card play-off needed to declare Sam Bull as the winner after he and Chris Littler both finished on 30, one more than David Foster and Adam Ogilley.