On Sunday, at this year’s Golf Live event at the London Club in Kent, James got pulled out of the crowd by Andrew Cotter (BBC commentator) to have a chipping competition against Tomas Levet and Peter Cowen, coach to the stars. In the main theatre, on the 18th green, in front of thousands and on the big screens, James gave it his best shot (under the circumstances!). His best effort was within 8 foot but not quite enough to beat the pros. What a fantastic experience and memory!

James has joined the junior set up at 3 new clubs in the area: The Belfry, Whittington and Burton golf clubs. In addition to his membership at Branston, this will give James the opportunity to  play extensively on different courses and give him new experiences – both in terms of working with the new junior set ups but also through providing new angles for his training regime. James is looking forward to the challenge of playing 4 courses on a regular basis.

In a bid to convince his coach that he should be playing with TaylorMade XD balls, James underwent a ball fitting using the latest technology. Sure enough, it showed up that the TaylorMade balls were flying past his previous brand. On further inspection it also revealed that the old balls were being hit at 10% less speed. Nice one James but not cunning enough as your attempts to throw the result were discovered! However, James got the last laugh when, in a new test, the TaylorMade balls really did go further!

Boarding a boat with your clubs is the only way to get to Touessrok Golf Club in Mauritius. Designed by Bernhard Langer, the 18 hole course is described as a ‘challenge to advanced golfers’ and this is where James and dad Phil enjoyed a game of golf this week. You can see James is already at home as captain of the boat!

While on a family holiday to Mauritius this Easter, James played a few rounds at the renowned Heritage Golf Club. One of these rounds will be especially memorable to James as he played with a good friend of the golf legend, Padraig Harrington.

(Pictured the 18th hole at Heritage Golf Club)

James has raised £200.50 in his golf valet business that he has been running from the Branston Academy over the last few weeks. The business venture was launched through his school to encourage entrepreneurial skills and to raise money for new IT equipment for school.

During the Easter holidays after a tough month of golfing, school and his new valet service, James is looking forward to a couple of weeks in sunnier climes to practice his golf with dad, Phil. His mum and two older sisters will be practicing sunbathing and shopping!

Since the launch of James’ golf valet service, he has raised £122 through lots of hard work at the Branston Academy. The service was started as part of a school initiative to raise funds for IT equipment and to encourage business skills in its students. James has risen to the challenge and is proving he has what it takes in business as well as on the golf course!

After just a couple of days in his role as valet at Branston Academy, James has already raised £33 of his £100 target. His target was set by school to help James raise funds for school IT equipment and to help him hone his skills as a businessman. James attends Thomas Russell Junior School in Barton under Needwood.

Based at the Branston Academy, James Bailey Golf has launched a new golf valet service. Inspired by a school initiative to encourage entrepreneurial skills as well as raise funds for school, James has created a menu of services. For club cleaning, bag tidy, ball marking and goody bag right through to ‘The Full Monty’ (do you like the golfing pun?), James is available at Branston on a Monday and Tuesday evening and most weekends.

Stop press… after an encouraging start on Saturday with James finishing in 2nd place, he went on to win the competition on Sunday beating the best junior golfers in Europe in his age group. This win qualifies James to go on to the next stage in July, taking place in the USA. More news to follow…