By Kelly Yates
GOLF professional Michael Harris wants members at Cranbourne’s Amstel Golf Club to turn their birdies into eagles.
The 32-year-old has been working at Amstel for a month and says he enjoys the challenges his job brings.
“We get people of different ages and levels wanting lessons,” he said.
“My job is to focus on the teaching of golf.”
Harris said lessons were essential for anyone interested in golf.
“We all need lessons. Without lessons, players cannot iron out their game and improve,” he said.
“People need to learn the basic fundamentals.”
Harris no longer plays in as many competitions as he did in the past and now concentrates on teaching the art of golf.
“Some kids do have a natural talent if we get them young enough,” he said.
Harris began his golf career at the age of 11, following in the footsteps of his father and brother.
“We lived walking distance from Thaxted Park Golf Club in Adelaide, so I joined up,” he said.
Harris completed his golf pro traineeship in 2000 at Mount Osmond Golf Club in Adelaide, during which he learned both teaching and business skills.
He then moved to Melbourne in 2005 where he worked at one of Melbourne’s most prestigious private golf clubs, Yarra Yarra Golf Club in Moorabbin.
Harris decided it was time for a change and moved to Amstel because it was closer to his home in Pakenham.
Amstel Golf Club has two golf courses, the public Amstel Park course and the Ranfurlie course which is for its members.
He said golf was big everywhere because it wasn’t a seasonal sport.
“People can play golf all year and develop their technique,” he said.
“Another bonus is that it’s an individual game, so you don’t need anyone else to play.”
