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Lee Kopanski. Head (British) PGA Professional.

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My Mentors

 

Lee KopanskiLee KopanskiLee KopanskiLee KopanskiLee Kopanski

  • 1999 - 2001 

Bill Ferguson, PGA *MASTER Professional

“I have known Lee Kopanski for the past two years and I have also taught him not only about his personal golf swing, but about the golf swing in general. I found him to be a very personable young man, articulate and well mannered.” (2000).

There are not many people who can claim Colin Montgomerie as a caddy but Bill Ferguson can. Bill was Monty’s first mentor as a nine-year old and coached him well into his professional career. Bill Ferguson’s playing high-lights include lifting the PGA Club Professional Championship in 1976. He was the English national coach for 25 years and is a past Yorkshire captain of the PGA as well as serving on the executive committee. Bill Ferguson has been a mentor to many great players including; Colin Montgomerie, Ian Woosnam, Howard Clark, Darren Clarke, Paul Broadhurst and the legendary Seve Balles-teros.

Working with Bill Ferguson PGA MASTER Professional provided me with yet another perspective into world class elite coaching, further developing both my professional playing ability and teaching career. Bill Ferguson is an exceptional coach and his track record speaks for itself. Many of the techniques that I learned from Bill Ferguson cannot be found in a text book but rather have been acquired over years of hands on experience working with some of the best players to have ever graced a fairway.

It is impossible for me to sum up in a few words the extent of the knowledge that I gained from such a master coach. Bill Ferguson opened my eyes to a new world of just how simple the game of golf can be. I learned that ultimately the ball is the best teacher yet only when you learn to read its flight correctly can you then trace back to the golf swing that created it. Bill Ferguson is not purely a master of the swing but also a short game wizard who often goes against conventional wisdom. For the record, the legendary Seve Ballesteros was once his pupil. I think that says it all.  

  

  • 1997 - 1999 
Denis Pugh, PGA *MASTER Professional

“Lee Kopanski regularly visited me for golf instruction over a 14 month period during the time I was based at the Warren Golf Club in Essex. Lee made a big effort to travel from his home in the North of England and thereby proved his commitment to improving both his golf swing and his knowledge of teaching. His understanding of the mechanics of the golf swing plus his interest in the skills of teaching will, I am sure, serve him well in the future.” (2000).

Denis Pugh is the renowned golf analyst on Sky Sports Golf Night and was a former tout player himself. He has coached over 150 Tour Professionals since 1988. He is most famous for his long time association with 8 time European Order of Merit winner and Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie.

I worked together with Denis Pugh PGA MASTER Professional to further my knowledge of teaching and to improve my skills as a tournament Professional. From Denis Pugh I learned (in particular) about the game of golf in greater technical detail and about how to distinguish the key elements of an individual’s golf swing which will ultimately make or break him.

Denis Pugh taught me that swing analysis is vital to the improvement of golfers at all levels, and in the process of fine tuning a golf swing. However, many over-step the mark into the world of over-analysis which can be highly detrimental to a player’s development. From this education I developed a keen eye for technical detail without crossing the fine line into over-analysis whilst at the same time ensuring that a player’s instinct and natural ability remain at the forefront throughout.

  

  • 1990 - 1997 
Alan Thompson, English National Elite Coach

“I have known Lee for seven years as a pupil and a Golf Professional. During this time I have seen him work diligently on his technique with an intensity and commitment given to very few people. This same quality is evident in his conduct around the Pro’s Shop and in his own teaching where I know his attention to detail and enthusiasm for the job at hand ensures that his clients receive the very best of attention.” (1998)

Alan Thompson has inspired many England International junior boys and several England girls and ladies, including two Curtis Cup players. He is coach to many European Tour Professionals, PGA Professionals and to the England National Elite A Squad. Much of the future of English golf rests in his hands.

I worked together with Alan Thompson, the English National Elite Coach, to both improve my own skills as a player and also to gain the knowledge required to develop my skills as a Professional Coach. I predominantly learned from Alan Thompson how vital it is to nurture a golfer’s own stylistic individuality whist at the same time ensuring that their basic fundamentals are rock solid. I still find today that this is the best way to unlock true potential at every level of ability. We are all individual so therefore every golfer has to “find their own swing” which is a golf swing made to measure, to fit the personality, style and make-up of the player. 

 

 

 

*MASTER Professional. Awarded by the PGA to qualified members held in high national or international esteem. Members that have made a significant contribution to the development of golf as a player, coach, administrator or course designer. A leader in their field for a number of years. An innovator.

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