Nicky, welcome to Bowood, we’re delighted to have you join the team.
Tell us a little about yourself?
I first picked up a club at the age of 12 and have been involved with the game ever since, both during my early years competitively and throughout my career. I began my career at The Belfry and enjoyed 2 Ryder Cups during my time there which was a great experience! From there I had the opportunity of coaching in The Middle East, Europe, and The Far East. I am a keen runner in my spare time and completed the London Marathon a couple of years ago, I promised myself ‘never again’ but seem to be tempted at one more go!
What attracted you to the role?
Bowood is a fantastic resort offering not only a great golf course but first-class facilities set in beautiful surroundings. The role offers an extremely exciting opportunity and I am very much looking forward to meeting the members and joining the team.
What are you looking forward to most?
I am really looking forward to meeting the Bowood members and being involved with the day to day activities within the resort. Coaching has remained an integral part of my career and it’s something I am keen to continue forward with at Bowood, alongside the coaching team at the Academy.
What will be your key focus for the Club?
I am hugely passionate about ensuring the experience at Bowood, wherever possible, exceeds expectations for both members and guests of the resort. Alongside the PGA affiliation of the academy, it will be fantastic to drive forward a Nationally recognized coaching facility and team. I am also very keen to encapsulate the wellbeing elements within the resort.
You are the first female PGA Pro / Director of Golf at Bowood – how do you feel about this?
I am really excited to be the first female professional at Bowood. At the moment female professionals account for just 4% of the membership, it would be great to pave a positive pathway forward to change in the future.
We understand you are passionate about women playing golf, and you are an instruction contributor for Women & Golf Magazine, Today’s Golfer and Lady Golfer – tell us a bit more about that?
I have been fortunate enough to provide instructional content for several golf publications throughout my career including a couple of the key magazines for female golfers. I am really passionate about growing female participation and also very keen to encourage and support businesswomen into the game, enabling them to embrace the social, professional, personal, and wellbeing benefits of the game.
What has been your proudest moment or greatest achievement?
I think one of the greatest achievements has been climbing Mount Kilimajaro in 2012 and becoming the first female golf professional to hit a golf shot from the summit! A proud moment during my career was being awarded Fellow status of the PGA in 2011.
Your career has taken you to Dubai and Spain – is there a key highlight?
A great highlight was having the opportunity to work alongside Peter Cowen at his academy at The Emirates Golf Club in Dubai. Pete works with a host of great players including British Open Champion, Henrik Stenson. It was a fantastic experience and a great opportunity to develop my coaching career.
To get in touch with Nicky – you can email: n.lawrenson@bowood.org or to find out more, visit her website: www.nickylawrensongolf.com
