Neil Matthews took over as the new head professional at Pontypool at the beginning of 2006 when he succeeded the long-serving Jim Howard. Neil knows that Jim is going to be a hard act to follow. "Jim had been here so long," said Neil. "In fact I had my first lesson from him some 15 years ago. He's been an institution here at Pontypool and I'm proud to follow in his footsteps."

Neil was born in Abersychan, just five minutes away from the club. He went to school there and grew up playing sports like rugby, soccer - and, of course, golf. It wasn't an easy progress however, "My mum and dad had played when they were young," he said, "gave up the game and then started again. I went along with them. I really didn't enjoy it at first. I kept topping the ball, even though people were saying things like `nice swing'. So I quit for a month and then, because I missed the game I suppose, took it up again. And surprise, surprise, I found I could hit the ball."

The rest, as they say, is history. His amateur career was spectacular. He represented Wales at all levels, from boys and youth to full adult teams. In 1997 he was selected for the GB&I side and played against Continental Europe in the Jacques Leglise Trophy. Then, in 2000, he decided to turn professional. "I'd been playing golf more or less full time since I left school," Neil said. "I worked with my dad or with Jim Howard, here in the shop, in the winter. But really I was playing golf all summer."

Neil had done almost everything he wanted at amateur level, winning the Gwent County Championships and appearing for Wales in the Home Internationals. The professional ranks was the next logical step. "I turned pro before the Walker Cup Squad was announced," he said. "And thinking back now, I feel maybe I should have gone to tour school. As it was I played on the Master Card Tour and Europro Tour."

Neil also helped out with Lee Pagett at Shirenewton and Tredegar Park. It meant working long hours in the shop and, as a result, it didn't always allow him to play as much as he would have liked. He did win two Titleist Assistant events on the West Region circuit but, increasingly, his time was being taken up with coaching and teaching.

He now coaches all over the county and is the Monmouthshire Ladies coach. He also works for Golf Development Wales, running workshops and coaching session, and is heavily involved in the Golf Roots Programme. He runs a successful Starter Centre at Talywaun and at the West Mon Driving Range and sees the creation of a good structure as being important for beginners to the game. "Getting it right at the beginning is crucial," Neil said. "That's why junior coaching is so important. It's also vital for good golfers - I probably coach as many as 80 players who have handicaps of three or less. We all need help at times."

Neil Matthews is raring to go at Pontypool. He is young, dynamic and full of energy - watch this space.

Fact File Position: Head Professional, Pontypool Golf Club Telephone: 01495 755544 Honours: Represented Wales at all levels (Boys, Youths, Adults) 1996- 1999 Gwent County Champion 1999 GB&I Team 1997 Won two Titleist Assistant Events Lessons: £25 per lesson, (six for the price of five).