Fittings Help Teaching
I guess you could say that it’s somewhat fitting as to why Ben Clarke is finding success as a teaching professional. The Academy Coach at The Links at Brunello in Timberlea, Nova Scotia, spends most of his time early in the season as a tech rep with Cobra Puma.
“Without a doubt, fitting has helped my teaching,” Clarke says. “This time of year I’m on the road 40 hours a week with Cobra. Working with TrackMan every day helps my teaching. Now I can look at the ball flight and pretty much tell the spin rate without looking at the numbers.”
Once summer rolls around, Clarke cuts the demo day hours in half and gets back to teaching full time at The Links at Brunello, a Thomas McBroom design that opened in 2015. He turned pro in 2013 and got his Class A designation last November. He says The Links at Brunello is a special place to work.
“From my first day of work here, I’ve loved our forward thinking, our more flexible approach to golf. Our Golf Bikes, flexible golf package options and casual dress code are things that make Brunello great. I love going to work every day. The environment is relaxing and rewarding for both our patrons and our employees.”
Now 25, Clarke has pretty much focused his attention on golf since he was 16. He got his start raking bunkers, filling divots and working in the pro shop at the Abercrombie Golf Club in Glasgow, Nova Scotia. The leap from the turf department to the lesson tee can seem like a big one, but Clarke’s obvious enthusiasm no doubt helped to make the transition an easy one.
Getting juniors into the game and off on the right foot is a priority at the Golf Academy. And Clarke is especially proud of what the academy has to offer and the role he plays as part of the four-coach team.
“Our academy is definitely unique in what we can offer,” Clarke says. “When someone attends one of our week long camps, they not only get golf instruction from PGA professionals, they also get some general fitness knowledge, as well as some tennis instruction.
“Our driving range is also unique in that we have an entire end of the range dedicated to privatized instruction and our weekly camps. This ensures that all of our students have ample opportunity to practice without interruption.”
When he’s not on the lesson tee in the summer, you can probably find Clarke squeezing in some tech rep work with Cobra. He says he enjoys the best of both worlds — working for a forward-thinking golf club focused on growing the game, and a likeminded golf company dedicated to helping golfers play better through innovative equipment.
“I like to think that I work for brands that are constantly thinking outside of the box. Brunello is changing the way that people think about a golf membership, with uber-flexible package options and a relaxed atmosphere. Cobra Puma has pushed the envelope with technology and fashion over the past few years.
“If you see me on the golf course, I’ll be gaming Cobra’s ONE Length irons, and looking comfortable in my golf joggers. The brands I’ve been lucky enough to work with are a perfect fit for me, and I’m excited to see where this season will lead.”
