New beginnings and a hint of sunshine

Well... Life does take some funny turns... some lefts, some rights... and some straight forward!

Since my last post I can now confirm that I have been made redundant from the company I worked for, for 8 years.. but please don't be sad...it's turned out to be probably the second best thing to happen... behind getting that job in the first place... Odd hey...

So why do I seem so happy about it? Well...when you're in this situation you can either wallow in it and feel sorry for yourself... 'why me?'...Or.. you can take the positives from it...see it as an opportunity, not a tragedy...

8 years is a long time to be in the same company... by today's standards... although I thoroughly enjoyed the role and the people, I felt stagnant... felt like I was meant to do more... I will however, be forever grateful for the opportunity I was given and the knowledge I now have.

So what am I going to do with my time?  Surprise surprise...golf!  Well...not just playing, but caddying too...see I just love to be around golf, whether it be watching it on TV, practicing, teaching or playing.  

I recently got accepted to join the caddy program at the ultra prestigious 'Queenwood Golf Club' in Surrey. Now this place isn't exactly your local pitch and putt..not even close...think more along the lines of Wentworth and Sunningdale...and then add a lot more prestigious'ness lol.  You can't even get into their website...don't believe me?  well just google the place and see how far you get.

So...I think that just about covers how nice the place is...and I have the privilege of caddying there for the members and their guests...and no...it's not just carrying a bag...you have to offer full caddy services such as club selection, wind direction, yardages, landing points and read the greens when they are putting.  As a final 'cherry on the cake'...I also have the pleasure of playing the course too....FOR FREE!!!

Taking this line of work further, I have also had the pleasure of getting to know Euro Pro star, Stuart Archibald.  I met Stuart at Burhill Golf Club in 2011 where he won the 'The Kerry London Euro Pro Tournament'.  Now to say this guy is a good golfer is an understatement...last week we played a casual round at Sonning Golf Club with a great friend of mine, Adam Bradley, Stuart had never seen the course before and shot -7!!! Nice shooting tex...you can imagine how gutted he was halving the match with me, playing off 14!!!

Stuart has invited me to caddy for him for 4 tournaments this year, and hopefully more...so my perfect job would be to be a Pro golfer...but bluntly...I'm not good enough...no where near...not even close... but to caddy for a good golfer is my second most perfect job...so I've totally lucked out...Thanks Stuey!!!

All we need now is a hint of sunshine so I don't have to carry all our wet gear in his tour bag lol

Essentially I'm going to take a few months out from 'proper work' lol and enjoy the summer, play golf, caddy, go on holiday, recharge and spend some time with my family.

Along the way, I'll post some pictures of my travels, golf courses, holiday destinations, friends and family.

So to those at Websense (my old company) I say this...It has been an absolute pleasure...I wouldn't change it for anything...apart from golf :-)

I do hope those that I mean something to will stay I contact so we can continue the many friendships I've built along the way.

Have a fantastic week

Bert