Golf stars at Styal are looking to help Croatian Sasa Radic develop his golf to such a level that he can help develop his love for golf in his home country.

Sasa has strong connections with this country though his grandfather Dr Leo Baric, a retired university professor who lives in Hale Barns and began his interest in golf when he was 12 years old.

His grandfather and his friends, notably Trevor and Joan Hill, decided to send him for some golfing experience with Ringway pro Nick Ryan.

The lessons went well and in Nick’s opinion Sasa had a definite potential for golf but it has been some 19 years since he decided to go back to golf after experiencing and coaching a number of other sports and also trying his hand in commerce.

Sasa said: "I was influenced by the developments in Croatia where the authorities decided that the main industry of tourism should be extended to include golf, resulting in plans to build dozens of new courses which will all need professional golfers.

"At the moment there are just a handful of courses, with the best one being at Zagreb.

"After discussing the subject with my grandfather and Trevor the approach was made to Styal to see whether they would be willing to take me on as a student.

"The choice was greatly influenced by the club’s reputation in the development of young golfers some of who have reached enviable heights, such as European Tour star David Horsey.

"Styal owner Richard Higham, golf director Glynn Traynor, head teaching professional Simon Forrest and teaching pro John Watson were very understanding and welcomed me to their facilities.

"I began my work there in June and playing in the club competitions I have dropped my handicap from 18-12 and I am now aiming to get down to six.

"I have also been working on my fitness with specific help for golf with Ringway player Annette Stroud who runs Easyfit Golf Conditioning."

Simon Forrest added: "Sasa is an excellent student and he’s made rapid progress in all aspects of his game and approach to golf and I am confident that he can achieve his aims and go back to Croatia and play a big part in the development of the game there.

"He is very strong but he needs to relate his power to playing golf with more flexibility and stability."

Sasa concluded: "At present I am experiencing a change from being concentrated on a career in golf by becoming addicted to the game and to the thrill of doing well if not winning each time.

"Thanks to Simon my skills are increasing and I have learned very quickly that ‘the long game is for show and the short game for dough’.

"I am also learning the secrets of the inner game of golf and, as with everything else, the skill goes from continuum from minimal, through optima to maximum mental control of the game.

"The problem and attractiveness of golf is that it is a never-ending learning curve and there is always room for improvement.

"Styal Golf Club offers a complete package for golf development at any age or ability and I am very grateful for the help they continue to give as I look forward to achieving my ambitions for myself and my country by reaching pro status and starting up my own academy in Croatia as part of the new tourist industry."

"The club certainly backs up my philosophy that ‘If you have the facilities and people you can make progress in any sport."

Winter golf is now in full flow and will continue at all clubs until the end of March.

To get your club and individual results, achievements and special events in this report – also if your club has a new captain or lady captain just arrived or coming into office – contact Geoff Garnett on 0161 881 7550 or via email at ggggarnett@aol.com