Hexham golfer heads for the sun

Posted by Simon Honeysett on Sep 25, 08 10:23 AM in Sport

WHATEVER the weather is like in the North East during November, Hexham professional Ben West is unlikely to be reaching for his thermal top and waterproofs.

On November 5, the 29-year-old West will be starting a plum new job as director of golf at Lyford Cay in the Bahamas, on the western tip of Nassau.

He'll be working alongside half a mile of powdery white beach at a club which boasts a championship course, 12 tennis courts, its own marina, a private school and 24-hour security.

West is not so much as upwardly mobile as on a rocket to the stars, with a CV that takes in the highly-regarded Royal Cinque Ports in his home county of Kent as well as almost five years in an earlier spell at Lyford Cay.

"I know everybody will think I'm going back for the weather," he said. "But at my age it is simply too good a career opportunity to pass up.

"When I worked out there before, I not only thoroughly enjoyed the job but also the social side. It's a great move and a great lifestyle. I have enjoyed my two years at Hexham and the members have been great with me, but openings like this do not come along too often and I felt I had to take it."

Unsurprisingly, Hexham already have around 20 "quality" applications for West's role and any professional who wants to throw his hat in the ring has until Wednesday to do so.

Taken from Teeing off with Tim Taylor

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