Mew returns for Seniors classic

For the Tobago Plantations Seniors Classic 2003, the promoters and Tobago Plantations have extended a sponsor’s invitation to Alan Mew, a local golf professional from Trinidad and Tobago.

Mew lives and works in the UK and is now qualified to play on the European Seniors Tour. In a recent interview Mew was asked about his life now and his hopes and expectations for his return to home soil.

Q: Where did you originate from and what did you do prior to moving to the UK?
A: I was born in Trinidad, and brought up in Pointe-a- Pierre, at the time I was working as a professional golfer and a builder. I have continued working hard at both professions since I arrived in the UK in 1983.
Q: Do you still have connections in Trinidad?
A:Unfortunately my family have moved from Trinidad. My parents are in Toronto, I have one brother in the UK, another in Australia and a sister in Prague. However I still have friends and many fond memories about the place and I am very excited about my return.
Q: Is this the first time you have been back?
A:Unfortunately I haven’t made it back since 1983. In a way it adds to the excitement and I hope I can make my return a successful one!
Q: Where do you play in the UK and how did you find the move to the UK?
A: I play at Stoneham Golf Club near Southampton on the South Coast. At first I found it extremely wet and cold compared to what I was used to, the South Coast is meant to be the warmest part of the UK.
Q: How is your form leading in to this event?
A: It is sometimes difficult juggling the day job with being a pro golfer but I still practice and take lessons as often as possible to try and improve my game.
(Alan’s partner, Maureen, commented that the putting aids and golf clubs that litter their living room shows how dedicated Alan is, even if it makes housekeeping a nightmare sometimes!)
Q: With Tobago Plantations being a new course you obviously haven’t played it before?
A: No I haven’t but I have heard great things about it, not least from the other professionals who played last year. I have played golf in Tobago before but I am looking forward to this new, and I hear very challenging, course. I hope I get some local support to cheer me on.
Q:Who would you like to be drawn with in the event?
A: Eddie Polland from Ireland and Martin Foster from England are both players that I respect as well as being great characters, I would love to be drawn with either of them.
Q: Junior Golf in Trinidad and Tobago is really taking off, and Stephen Ames has put his name to the Golf Academy at Tobago Plantations, what advice would you give to these aspiring Golfers?
A: I think its important to seek good instructional advice from the start to help technically and eliminate any bad habits early. This is why the Tobago Plantations Academy system is so important. After that it’s a question of a lot of hard work, time and effort spent practising the game. Everyone has room for improvement — even Tiger Woods!