Meet the Professionals
Roly Hitchcock – PGA Professional
In 1996 he joined the Professional Golfers Association and began to learn his trade at Stoke by Nayland Golf Club where Roly became Senior Teaching Professional in 2007. Along with being a coach for The Sports Academy since 2003 Roly has also claimed positions as an Assistant coach for the East Region of the English Golf Union, Essex county Coach and a Lead coach for the County Academy Programme. Through participation in many CPD programmes organised by the PGA and learning from the other coaches with whom he has coached with, he has learnt about other subjects including Bio-Mechanics and the Psychology of the game. He believes that the short game is the most important part of the game and is often the area that many golfers neglect.
Andrew Tokley – PGA Professional
Andrew joined Stoke by Nayland Golf Club in 1993 as a golfer, but started working at the Club in 1999. Throughout his golfing career he has won numerous club competitions and still holds the Constable Course record of 64. He played for all the CountyTeams until he turned Professional in 2002 where he progressed to playing in the East Region and Euro Pro Tours. In 2007 he once again joined the Professional Shop team to enable him to concentrate on his teaching career; in 2010 Andrew became an Assistant Coach for the County Academy Programme, through this is has developed a keen interest in the Psychology of the game and shot making techniques that help his students to lower their handicaps.
Sarah Graves – PGA Professional
Sarah began her golfing career at Colchester Golf Club where she played for The Essex Under18s and won various competitions. Since joining the Professional Golfers Association in 2004, Sarah has played in a number of Ladies PGA and East Region events. She started her coaching career like Shane at Lexden Wood and has taught a wide spectrum of golfers. She has a keen interest in Bio-Mechanics of the swing and is dedicated to getting the best from all her students. Sarah joined the team at Stoke by Nayland in late 2007, and is already proving to be a popular member of the teaching professionals. In 2010 Sarah became an Assistant Coach for the County Academy Programme.
