Mark Forrest: About Coach

I have known Lloyd (Coach)  for many, many years. I have played a lot of golf with him over the years and I must say that  Coach has helped me in many ways. I have learned a lot about the game, life, and myself.

 As a Golf Professional I have given thousands of lessons over the years but I must say that I truly admire Lloyds holistic approach to the game of golf. He does not dwell on the mechanics of the swing, but rather, focuses on the experience of playing the game of golf.

Coach is very knowledgeable of the golf swing and has a keen eye for recognizing problems, but it is the way he conveys this message that has gained my trust with my own game. He finds a way to appreciate and celebrate every swing of the club. We improve our game by focusing on the positive things rather than worrying about the negative..

On more than one occasion after I have hit a particularly poor shot, Coach would walk over to me and look up at the sky and say “We are blessed to have the opportunity to be playing golf today”. It is this kind of positive energy that has brought my game to a new level.

 A couple of key ideas that Coach has shared with me is the idea of having 4 one putts per nine. No matter what these one putts are for (eagle, birdie, par) if you accomplish this you will have a decent game. For me this has removed some of the pressure of being perfect on the golf course. It allows me to focus on the opportunity to make a one putt rather than dwell on what it is for.

The second thing he has shared with me is being “In the office”. This is an area within 40 or so yards from the green. Whenever you are in this area you are in “the Office”. This is where we get to work. Any pitch, chip or putt is your opportunity to score. Again this has helped me mentally as it takes the pressure off hitting perfect shots.

I find I always play better in the days and weeks after I have played with Coach, his enthusiasm and positive energy has a lasting effect. It is a privilege to call him a friend.

Mark Forrest...Head Professional

Belmont Golf Course

Mark Forrest: Coach And Friends 2013 Dinner

Every time I see Coach the first thing he talks about is “The Dinner”.  For years I have heard about “The Dinner, The Dinner, The Dinner”.  Coach has invited me several times but work commitments have prevented me from attending.

This year I managed to get the time off and told Coach I could make it. I had no idea of what to expect.  A couple of rounds of golf, a dinner, just another golf event. I couldn’t have been more wrong.  Yes there was golf and dinner, but the experience was much more than that.

I met a group of people who were not only golf enthusiasts, but were there for the experience of celebrating life and the spirit of the game. I met people from Minnesota, Louisiana, The Arctic, Portugal, Victoria, Calgary,  and The lower mainland. It was quite a collection of people all brought together by Coach.

The Golf Course and facility were awesome and the food was second to none. Playing golf was great but it was the opportunity to meet and interact with all of Coach's friends that will stay with me forever. What was really touching was to see the way that Coach has connected with each and every person that attended. They are really a family to him.

The Dinner was something else. Opening with the drummers marching us in, a dance presentation and a song performance, it was something to see.  After the dinner it was great to see all the Prize winners that Coach had picked out. Celebrating their accomplishments for the year.

It was at the end of the presentations that I was totally unprepared for. I was called up to receive a very generous contribution to My Senior Tour Qualifying Event. This gift gives me the opportunity to accomplish a goal and a dream. That is, to earn playing privileges on the European Senior Tour.

I do not know the names of each individual who contributed to this fund, but to Hal and the all of the others I would like to express my most sincere thank you for the opportunity that you have given to me. Both the financial contribution and the confidence that you have expressed in me will go a long way to achieving this goal.

 

I will post some more articles on the goal that you have so generously given me the opportunity to pursue:

Until Then...Thank You

Mark Forrest

Head Professional
Belmont Golf Course