PGA Advanced Fellow Anders Mankert, an award winning coach, has launched the first phase of his exciting new venture at The Leicester Golf Centre, based at the former popular Oadby golf course which closed 6 years ago.

Mankert took over there when he leased nine holes of the course, which he has now renamed as The Gallops.

Over the last few months he has built a highly sophisticated new 16-bay, floodlit driving range at Leicester Racecourse. Each bay is connected to a Toptracer touch screen television, set to appeal to experienced golfers and beginners alike. It will also create interest in the game for non-golfers who will visit this top class new facility in an ideal location, not far from Leicester city centre.

But as Mankert explained the 9-hole course will not open for play for a few more months.

He said: “The long, hot, dry summer has created some challenges, not least when the new irrigation system broke down, which saw us having to water by hand to save new greens.

“But it is now looking really good. I think it is only sensible, however, to wait for the greens to become more mature before we start to bring them into play.

“So at this time of the season, it is ideal to put the emphasis on the new driving range. We will be open from 8.00am until 10.00pm and everyone can be assured of a warm, friendly welcome.

“There will be no dress code and we have even introduced our own selected and sourced coffee beans, so anyone who would just like to pop in for a coffee will be equally welcome and made to feel at home.

“They may of course want to find out more about golf too now or later on. Sporting couples could come here on a date, and the Top Tracer, the fullest facility anywhere in the Midlands, will interest golfers wanting to try their skills on some of the most famous golf courses in the world.

“Also, youngsters perhaps hitting a golf ball for the first time, will be able to see just how far and where their shots have gone, be encouraged, so perhaps start to progress from their initial visits into a game which could develop into a lifetime’s interest.”

“It is a long held ambition of mine to have my own golf course, so this is a highly exciting time in my career. My wife, Pippa, assistant PGA pro Tom James, and my young head greenkeeper Adam Preston, will be working with me at this new golf centre and we will combine to create a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, so that all visitors can enjoy themselves whenever they come along.

We cannot wait to see them.”

Mankert is a widely acclaimed, award winning coach, including working closely for many years with totally blind and visually handicapped golfers. He has awarded several year-long scholarships for young golfers too – boys and girls – which have seen the recipients achieve success in the game, including for Ryan Evans, now a European Tour pro.

To book a lesson, or for more information, contact Anders Mankert at The Leicester Golf Centre, by telephone on 01162 750549, or just pop in at any convenient time.