ProDreamUSA has expanded its staffing team into Ireland with PGA Professional Bobby King joining as the company’s latest Regional Associate.
King, who is the Head PGA Professional at Roscrea Golf Club in Co. Tipperary, will support ProDreamUSA’s recruitment activities with young Irish golfers and is well placed in the heart of the ‘Emerald Isle’ to work with players all over the country.
He is also the Director of Golf at The Cistercian College in Roscrea, the only school in the country with a dedicated golf programme. The school is home to current Irish Boys Champion, Sam Murphy, who is on his way to Grand Canyon University in Arizona later this year as a ProDreamUSA client.
King has been a PGA member since 2008 and is regarded as one of the most progressive pros in the country. He was one of the first in Ireland to use TrackMan technology and has experience of working with a number of top-level professionals as well as high level amateurs and club golfers of all levels.
The Cistercian College have invested significantly in their golf facilities, giving pupils the opportunity to practice all year round. Their golf programme started by Bobby back in 2016 with 8 students and has now grown to 24 within their three programmes, covering senior elite, junior elite, and development levels. The addition of a new indoor golf studio consisting of a 24msq putting green, bunker, chipping area and TrackMan simulator will allow for greater numbers of students to participate in the programme, as well as for Bobby to use with his own private clients and will be the first of its kind in any school in Ireland.
“I’m very passionate about helping young golfers develop and fulfil their potential, so it’s a great fit for me to be working with ProDreamUSA. When I was an aspiring young golfer myself, I had intended to go to college in the States, but I didn’t feel I had enough information or support to make the right decision at the time. That’s all changed now, and with ProDreamUSA, the experience and expertise is there to guide young golfers and their families through every step of the process.”
“Being in a very central location, I’m well placed to get around the country and get out to a few of the national events, as well as being accessible for people to come and use the facilities here in Roscrea. Having the connection with The Cistercian College is fantastic and it’s been amazing to see someone like Sam Murphy coming through and succeeding at a national level. He’s been a real ‘poster boy’ for the school and has had a very positive impact on our golf programme, which will hopefully inspire others to follow him.”
King believes Irish golf is in good hands, with the emergence of a new crop of young talent on the back of the trailblazing path created by Rory McIlory and of course, Open Champion, Shane Lowry.
“Olivia Mahaffey has gone out to college in the States and has shown what can be achieved! College golf is definitely more accessible for many of the talented young Irish golfers. It’s good to see a few of them flying the flag out there and hopefully I can support a few more players who are considering the golf scholarship route.”
King has also made a name for himself as a Guinness World Record breaker. Setting the record for playing the most number of golf holes, on foot, in 12 hour, back in 2016.
“I broke the record at the second attempt!” he told us. “Conditions weren’t ideal the first time round as it was too soft and wet, but I managed to play 234 holes in the space of 12 hours, walking 50 miles in total, and we raised more than €10,000 for a mental health charity. Unfortunately, the record has since been beaten and I’ve been on the look-out for a new record to beat ever since!”
In the meantime, Bobby has plenty to focus on, with the imminent opening of the fantastic new facilities in The Cistercian College and golf courses reopening in Ireland.
“It’s been a frustrating time in Ireland with courses being closed such a long period of time, but we’ve had to be patient and I’m certainly looking forward to getting out to some of the major junior events in Ireland this summer. Our new swing studio has been a very exciting project to work on and we can’t wait to have golfers visiting us and experiencing the facilities we have on offer.”
To contact Bobby and find out more about ProDreamUSA’s services, e-mail kinggolf62@gmail.com.