Inside Story - Professional Golfer



Alistair

Age Range
26-35

Countries of Work
UK

Study and Career History
I played golf since I was a young boy, my dad used to take me to play and I joined Ralson Golf Club when I was nine. Golf came quite naturally to me and although I stayed on at school to do my exams, golf was always my main focus.

How long have you been doing the job?
I've been golfing for 20 years.

Did you decide on your career path or did it all happen by accident?
My dad was keen on golfing and took me out when I was younger and that got me started on it. I didn't really think about becoming a professional golfer until I was about 14.
Since turning professional I've won the MasterCard Tour and the European Tour Qualifying School. I also finished runner-up in the rookie of the year award on the European Tour. Winning the 2002 Carlsberg Malaysian Open has been the highlight of my career so far.

How did you get your "Glamour Job" ?
I worked my way up through all the different ranks, starting at amateur level. I went to the qualifying school for the European Tournament. It was my third attempt when I actually qualified to play for the European school. Then I qualified for the European tour.

What does the job involve?
Basically all I do is just play golf. There's a lot of travelling involved as I play all over the world.

Describe a typical day at work.
I'd go to a tournament on a Tuesday morning, play nine holes on a Tuesday afternoon. Then the same on Wednesday and then the tournament starts on a Thursday, right through Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A round of golf can take 4 and a half to five hours. I go round the course most days, warm up about an hour before I play and sometimes I play for an hour or two afterwards as well. Sometimes I'm in my bed for half nine so I can get up and play again the next morning.

What do you like most about the job?
I'm doing something as a career that I always wanted to and there's not many people who can say that. It's exciting and I love playing golf as it's also my
hobby.

What don’t you like about your job – if anything?
There's not much I don't like! Although it can be difficult being away from home and family and friends so much.

During your teenage years did you have much vocational guidance from school, university, family or friends? What was your biggest influence?
Definitely my family. They have helped so much. My mum and my dad have supported me all through my career, they also looked after me financially. My biggest influence was a guy who coached me - Bill Lockie - I was 18 when I met him and my game started improving dramatically under his coaching

If you took end of school examinations did you get exam results you were happy with from your education?
I did sit exams but, to be honest, I was always golfing and I didn't pay that much attention to exams. I just knew I was going to play golf one way or another. I stayed on at school till 6th year and I was 17 when I left. I got two 2s and five 3s in my Standard grades and I also got three Highers.

Do you think that what you studied in school or in your further education was right for the career you are in now? Any regrets?
It didn't really make much difference to me. I wasn't too bothered. I stayed on at school as it was still two or three years till I could turn professional, so it suited me fine.

Have you taken further studies since leaving secondary or tertiary school. If yes, what did you study and why did you decide you needed more qualifications?
No.

What was your first job?
I've never done anything else. Golfing was my first job.

What has been your most bizarre or challenging job to date?
I was in Australia playing golf for about four weeks and that was quite challenging being away from home for all that time. It used to be quite exciting when I was playing with the big name celebrity golfers... but I got used to that after a few weeks, and at the end of the day, you've still got to try and beat these players. I'm at a tournament in Germany this week and Tiger Woods is playing in it.

What is your ultimate goal.... is this it, or do you have a pinnacle you have yet to reach?
The way golf is if you rest on your laurels you're only going to go backwards. I always try to improve and win more tournaments. My goal is to play in the Ryder Cup and the British Open. I'm being realistic and I know that I'm a good bit away from that at the moment but you never know... perhaps in 10 years time.

What are your top tips for personal success?
I think hard work is probably the best advice to give anybody. You have to have belief in yourself that you can do it and always believe that you are doing the right thing. If you believe you can do it and you have the confidence then you might have a chance of making it.

Any comments?


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