NOT many people are lucky enough to make a living out of their hobby but fortunately I've been one of them.

And now my son, Andrew, is following in my footsteps after accepting an offer to teach golf at Sand River Golf Club in Shenzen, China.

He's the head instructor and part of his job is to set up a coaching system and manage the academy.

Golfing wise, it's just the same as over here - except it's on a grander scale.

They have a floodlit nine-hole course, for instance, and he must be enjoying it because he hasn't come back yet.

I started as a junior at Darwen Golf Club in 1947 and from there I progressed to the pro ranks and became a PGA professional.

The game has taken me to all parts of the country, if not the world, as a club professional - Spalding, Darwen, Billingham, Oswestry, Maesdu, Holyhead, Lansdown, Fishwick and now Whalley, which is as good as any and better than most.

I was trained by two top professionals, John Burton at Hillside GC and Tom Jarman at Bury GC. John was the brother of Richard Burton - not the actor, the British Open winner in 1939.

One of the best things about being a pro is you get to meet all sorts of people, from all walks of life. I had the privilege of spending time and working with the great Henry Cotton and I've also taught at the British Open for the PGA and worked at the Ryder Cup.

I'm just grateful Darwen gave me the opportunity to play as a junior and I'd also like to thank the people of Whalley GC for the way we have worked together as professional and course manager to make it as good as any nine-hole course I have seen.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.