Biographies
Ashley Andrews – Director of Golf
Ashley first came to Barwon Heads as trainee professional in 1991 under Martin Stolz and went on to achieve distinction as Australian Trainee of the Year. He followed this up with an excellent playing career, winning the Victorian PGA Order of Merit and having several top finishes in major Australian events.
In 1997 the opportunity then arose for Ashley to become one of our Head Professionals. It is a role he has tackled with enthusiasm and enjoyment ever since as he continually seeks new ways to meet the member’s needs.
Ashley has now been one of the Head Professionals at The Barwon Heads Golf Club for more than 20 years. He considers it a privilege to work in a club so steeped in rich history and tradition.
Ian Donnelly – Lead Golf Professional
Ian has been at Barwon Heads since 2001 and in late 2007 assumed the position as joint Head Professional, commencing a partnership with Ashley Andrews. Ian has a strong experience as a PGA Professional and has the distinction of being one of only a handful of Master Professionals in Australia.
The Master Professional status is achieved through many years of sustained excellence in coaching and clubfitting, as well as undertaking continuous education in all facets of the game through the PGA Academy.
Ian is thoroughly enjoying his role at Barwon Heads. He looks forward to continuing to serve the needs of the members and to uphold the traditions of one of the country’s leading Golf Clubs.
Jess Bramble – Assistant Golf Professional
Jess Bramble joined the golf shop several years ago and has become a popular and enthusiastic member of the team. Jess grew up in Swan Hill, playing junior golf at Murray Downs before moving to Ballarat in 2008 to commence her PGA traineeship.
Jess then spent the next four years working at Ballarat Golf Club, completing her traineeship in December 2011 and graduating as a full PGA member, winning the 2011 Victorian Trainee of the Year along the way.
Jess continued as an Assistant Professional at Ballarat for the next year, running golf operations and conducting many lessons and clinics. Jess is currently available for lessons on Tuesday’s, Thursday’s Friday’s and Saturday’s.
Mark Delaney – Assistant Golf Professional
Mark grew up in Sydney and completed his Traineeship at Muirfield Golf Club. He then went to Mudgee Golf Club where he spent 20 years as the Club Professional, before working at Forster and Tuncurry Golf Clubs as an Assistant Professional.
Mark has recently moved to Victoria to join the team at Barwon Heads and loves the rich traditions and history of the club. He is passionate about the game of golf and loves to coach all levels of players to help them achieve their goals and gain maximum enjoyment out of the game.
Craig Bonney – Assistant Golf Professional
Craig started played pennant golf at Woodlands Golf Club where he is still a member. He commenced his traineeship at Moorabbin Golf Club in 1992.
In 1996 achieved his Australasian Tour Card and played throughout Australia in Pro-Am’s and several Tour Events.
In 1998 an opportunity came up at Elsternwick Golf Course as the Head Professional. He was then appointed the Head Professional at Warrnambool Golf Club from 1999 to 2021. During his time at Warrnambool he was named the Victorian PGA Club Professional of the year in 2002, he also enjoyed numerous teaching roles including pennant, the South West Junior academy, the SW Women’s district coach and being Marc Leishman’s junior coach.
Craig is also known for his skills at club fitting, he is an advanced certified fitter for both Ping and Titleist and was named in the May 2019 Australian Digest Magazine as one of Australia’s 50 great club fitters.
Cheryl Mahoney – Retail Coordinator
Cheryl joined the Barwon Heads Golf Shop as the Retail Co-Ordinator in August 2022.
She has a passion for Retail and Design and has worked 30 years in Retail Buying Offices. Cheryl worked 23 years at Target Head Office as a Retail Buyer and in Merchandise Finance roles, along with 7 years as a Retail Buyer for Community Care Chemist. Cheryl is also currently working in her family’s Building Design Business – Cactus Designs, which she has done for the past 18 years.
Cheryl grew up in Geelong and moved to the coast to raise her family and enjoys the coastal lifestyle now living in Barwon Heads.
She is involved in the community and has managed the Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club nippers program and supports the 13th Beach Board Riders Club. Cheryl is enjoyed the challenge of learning golf and attending Jess’s clinics along with her passion for running and is currently learning sailing.
Cheryl is looking forward to continuing the great offering of Apparel and Accessories in the Golf Shop and enjoys the relationship building as part of the role along with the rich history of the Barwon Heads Golf Club.
Rory Wood – Shop Attendant
Hailing from the “Home of Golf”, Rory grew up in Dunbar, a small town on the East coast of Scotland with a rich golfing history. He attended Dunbar Grammar School until the age of 18, after which he moved to Aberdeen for university, completing a master’s degree in Pharmacy. Rory worked as locum Pharmacist in Scotland between 2017 and 2022, allowing him to see and work across much of the country.
Rory and his partner, Abby, recently made the move to Australia in December 2022, following a few months travelling they have made the decision to settle in the Geelong area, securing a rental in Charlemont.
Rory is excited to be joining the team at Barwon Heads and learning as much as possible of a new industry at a club steeped in history and tradition, whilst working towards gaining his pharmacy qualifications in Australia.
Ben Henkel – Shop Attendant
Ben grew up in Ocean Grove and attended his schooling at St Joseph’s College in Geelong, graduating in 2018. Ben started playing golf on the local courses when he was 12, currently playing off a handicap of +4. Ben regularly competes in State and National amateur events. Ben is currently a member of both Metropolitan golf club and 13th Beach. Ben has been a part of the Metropolitan VGA pennant side for the past 5 years, also representing 13th Beach in local pennant. When not working Ben enjoys spending his time working on his game with the aim of turning Professional and playing tournament golf all over Australia and the World.
Michelle Becroft – Teaching Golf Professional
Michelle was one of the first females to become a full member of the PGA in Australia completing her Traineeship at the National Golf Club in 1996. Her 30 years of experience in the golf industry ranges from course/pro shop management to the State Coach in both the senior and junior development for Women’s Golf Victoria. Michelle has been coaching for over 25 years and her passion is in coaching at all levels but specializing in women’s golf and the development of the beginner golfer, guiding them from their first grip to getting a handicap.
Michelle is renowned for building and maintaining long term relationships with her clients and she takes great pride in seeing her clients achieving their goals. Her coaching philosophy is very simple with the main focus being on understanding the basic fundamentals and alignment.
Michelle is generally available for coaching here at Barwon Heads on the 1st Saturday of the month.