EXCITING times lie in store for Wilmslow Golf Club as its new head professional looks to build on the strong foundations laid by his predecessors.
After five years serving in an assistant role, Chris Billows was appointed to the top job in March, becoming only the fifth head professional in the club's 137-year history.
The 33-year-old began his career in golf operations at The Belfry and became a PGA assistant pro at Gleneagles before taking on a PGA teaching professional role at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Now proud to be head professional at Wilmslow, Billows aims to spearhead further progress at the club and continue making golf there as 'enjoyable, welcoming, and inclusive as possible for everyone'.
He said: "To become only the fifth head professional in the club's history is a tremendous honour.
"It’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly, and I’m determined to build on the strong foundations that have already been established.
"I'm proud of what we've achieved so far, excited about what's ahead, and grateful for the support I've received from members and colleagues alike.
"It feels like a really exciting time for the club, and I'm looking forward to helping drive that progress forward."
Billows revealed there are already exciting projects on the horizon at Wilmslow, including a long-awaited makeover of the club's pro shop and initiatives to continue growing its junior and ladies sections.
He added: "One of the immediate priorities is the refurbishment of the professional shop.
"It's the first major update in around 15 years, and we're fortunate to have the full backing of the club.
"The aim is to create a modern, welcoming retail and service space that better reflects the standards of the club and improves the overall member experience.
"The junior section is another area I'm particularly excited about.
"Thanks to the fantastic work of Rick Eyre and the junior committee, junior golf at Wilmslow is in a very healthy position and continues to grow.
"The focus now is on maintaining that momentum, creating more opportunities for young golfers, and ensuring there is a clear pathway for juniors to develop both their golf and their connection to the club.
"The Ladies Starter Programme has also been a real success in recent years.
"It has introduced many new golfers to the game in a friendly and supportive environment, and I see significant opportunities to continue building on that.
"Encouraging more women into golf and creating pathways into membership remains a key priority."
Before and after his appointment, as well as during in his early career, Billows has enjoyed fantastic support which he feels has helped him with the transition into his new role.
He said: "My time at Wilmslow has been incredibly rewarding. From the moment I arrived five years ago, I felt welcomed by both the members and the team.
"I’ve spent the last five years building relationships with members, learning about the club, and developing professionally, so to be given the opportunity to lead the professional team was very special.
"I’ve been fortunate to receive fantastic support throughout my career.
"Andrew Jowett at Gleneagles played a huge role in my development early on and gave me invaluable experience at one of the world's leading golf destinations.
"Working there, particularly during the 2014 Ryder Cup, taught me a great deal about professionalism, standards, and customer service.
"More recently, Matthew Gillingham (the previous head pro) has been a tremendous mentor.
"Over the past five years, he has provided guidance, support, and opportunities that have helped prepare me for this role.
"His trust and encouragement have been hugely important in giving me the confidence to step into the position.
"Since the appointment, the support from members has been overwhelming.
"The messages, conversations, and well wishes I've received have reinforced just how special this club is and how fortunate I am to be part of it."
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