Factfile:
| Name: | James Bailey |
| Hobbies: | Football, swimming and XBox |
| Played since: | 2004 |
| DOB: | May 2001 |
What’s in the bag…
Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 TOUR SATIN WEDGE Wedges 50º, 56º and 60º
Ping S55 Pitching Wedge to 4 Iron
Titleist 915 D2 Driver
Titleist Pro V 1 balls
Odyssey Versa 90 V-Line Putter
Sky Caddy
Bushnell Tour V3 1600
Stewart Golf X7 Remote Trolley
Ping G20 Tour Bag & Ping Hopper Carry Bag
James Bailey of Barton under Needwood is now 15 years old and a member of the Branston Golf and Country Club team with many impressive achievements already under his belt. He has a 4.0 Handicap with a focused determination to bring that down significantly every year. He is also a member at Whittington, Burton and The Belfry Golf Clubs.
James has spent much of his childhood in and around the golf scene, thanks to dad Phil Bailey who shares his son’s passion for the game. Together they play at Branston Golf and Country Club (near Burton) and travel around the UK and overseas for a variety of competitions. James is making Dad nervous as he is starting to show signs of beating him regularly!
James spends a lot of time playing golf, having lessons and generally soaking up the golf club atmosphere. He is well liked by the professionals at the club who invest lots of time with him. He has become a member of the ‘Elite Squad’ county training programme and the U16 Staffordshire boys squad & U16 England Boys squad. James has a regular coaching regime at Drayton Park with Jon Watts & England Coach David Brooks.
Last year, James played all around the UK & Europe including the Spanish Open in January this year and the European Championships in Scotland in June & the Oceanic Junior world Championship in Portugal in July He qualified again for the Veritas World Championships in Los Angeles & The European Farther & Son Championship in Spain 2015 at which he gained valuable experience this summer.
James also plays other sports such as football and swimming and enjoys family life in Barton under Needwood with his 2 older sisters, Abi and Paige, mum Angela and dad Phil.
Key facts:
2005: Started playing golf at Branston Golf & Country Club, aged 4
2006: James’ gets his first Handicap – 56
2007: James played his first competition, the HSBC Wee Wonders Championship
2007: James joined the British Tour and competed throughout the UK
2008: Achieved Runner Up and Order of Merit in the Summer Tour 2008
2008: Qualified for the British Junior Golf Tour at Celtic Manor
2008: New Handicap of 36 awarded
2009: New Handicap of 27 achieved
2009: Awarded ‘Most Improved Golfer’ and ‘Outstanding Achievement’ by Branston Golf Club
2009: Attended Lee Westwood Academy
2009: Qualified for the British Junior Golf Tour World Final in Portugal – James won the Under 9s category
2010: James was invited to play for the Branston Junior team as first reserve
2010: James won 2 of 8 of the 2010 Branston Majors including the Junior Toon and Junior Baden Powell Trophies
2010: New Handicap of 25 (playing off the back tees so no mean feat for a 9 year old)
2011: Played in US Kids European Championships at Scotland
2011: Won Callaway UK Qualifier for the world Championships in San Diego
2011: Finished 92nd in the Callaway World Championships in July
2011: New Handicap of 19 (playing off the back tees so no mean feat for a 10 years old)
2012: New Handicap of 18
2012: Won Spanish Open La Cala
2012: European Championships, Scotland
2012: World Championships, Los Angeles
2012: Won Junior Cup, Branston
2012: Selected for county “Future Stars” programme
2013: New Handicap of 13
2013: Runner up in the Spanish Open, La Cala
2013: Regional winner and finalist at BHF National Junior Championship
2013: Top 10 in the European Championships in Switzerland
2013: Qualified for USA World Championships
2013: Qualified for county “Future Stars” programme for 2nd season
2014: New Handicap 11
2014: Won Spanish Junior Open in La Cala
2014: Qualified for AAU Junior Olympic games (previously Veritas World Championships)
2014: Qualified for Wales Junior Open 2014 Final at Celtic Manor 2010 course.
2014: New Handicap 9
2014: Finalist at BHF National Junior Championship
2014: Finessed 5th in the Oceanico World Kids Golf Championship
2015: Finished 2nd Place in La Cala Spanish Open 2015
2015: Finished 2nd in The Junior Welsh Open at Celtic Manor and Qualified for Wales Junior Open 2015
2015: Finished winner in the European Junior Golf Tour events at The National Par 3 Championship course Nailcote
2015: Finished winner in the European Junior Golf Tour events at Brookfield & Hatchford Brook
2015: Selected for Staffordshire County U16 team.
2015: New Handicap 5.2
2015: Finished 5th in the Oceanico World Kids Golf Faldo Portugal Championship
2015: Finished 6th in Wales Junior Open 2015 Final at Celtic Manor 2010 course
2015: Qualified for England Boys U14 Reid Trophy, Made the cut & finished T54
2015: Won best individual score with a gross Par Round at BHF National Junior Championship
2015: Selected for England Boys U16 Squad
2015: Won U14 European Junior Tour Order of Merit
2015: Won Summer Pairs At Branston
2015: Finish 12th in The European Father & Son Championships
2016: Won the first Adult Major of the Year The Easter Bowl At Branston
2016: Selected for Staffordshire County U18 team.
2016: Won the U16 Staffordshire County Matchplay Championship .
2016: New Handicap 4.0
