AN award-winning golfer who snapped a tendon in his wrist putting his future on the course in jeopardy is looking forward to his second year as Cheshire captain.

Blinds and shutters businessman Jon Beesley, 40, is proving to be a fine role model for rising young talent and has highlighted his county goals for the new year after a successful 2021.

Beesley, who is attached to The Mere and is the holder of the Cheshire Golfer of the Year Award, said: "My first year as Cheshire county captain was amazing.

"I had an absolute ball out there on the fairways with all the other lads who are part of the county set-up.

“We included a lot of younger lads into the team in the second half of the year and the team morale was been phenomenal with everyone wanting to play and win points for the team.

“This showed in our last two performances versus Cumbria and Northumberland. With convincing wins we have a lot of confidence to take into 2022.

“I can’t wait to kick the 2022 season off. With Cheshire finishing runners up in the Big Six in the last four years I’m hoping for one better this year.

“Also a win in the Northern League while being captain is a goal of mine."

But three years ago the golfing world almost came crashing down for Beesley, who lives in Grappenhall, Warrington, with his nurse wife Colette and three children Megan, Zach and Maisy.

"I snapped my tendon in my right wrist playing golf," said Beesley, who started playing the sport as a teenager more than 25 years ago.

“I was out of golf for 18 months and didn’t think I would play again.

"It was a long road back to getting on the golf course with a lot of physiotherapy. I was at a low point with my golf as I couldn’t play because my wrist was too sore to rotate."

That was when he made a crucial connection while seeking medical help.

“I met with wrist specialist Mike Hayton at Wrightington Hospital and we got chatting about golf as him and his sons were keen golfers" said Beesley.

“If it wasn’t for Mike and him performing two surgeries on my wrist I would have never been able to play again. He was amazing from start to finish and we still keep in touch."

And he was grateful for further support from Oliver Barnes, the PGA golf professional at The Mere whom he credits for steering him to now playing the best golf of his career.

“Getting back into golf after 18 months out was tough. Oliver was more a psychologist to me than a golf coach but within six months he got me back playing to my best and my wrist is thankfully fully recovered and we’ve not looked back, working on new swing thoughts all the time to improve," said Beesley, who is currently playing off a handicap of +6.

He recalls his early days on the fairways inspired by his father Alan, leading to where he is now.

“I had early success in junior competitions around the region and nationally, earning myself a pick for the Cheshire boys team at 17 and progressing to the men’s team at 19," he said.

“Soon after turning professional at the age of 20 I was heading over to the Sunshine Tour in South Africa with my good friend Mike Williams caddying for me.

“We had a ball playing alongside the talented duo of Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen.

“This was an amazing time in my life living the dream. I returned home to earn my playing rights on the EuroPro Tour and Challenge Tour until I decided to call it a day a year later to spend more time at home with my son.

“I got my amateur status back at the age of 24 playing my golf at The Mere where I have been a member for 26 years.

“I started getting back into county golf again in my early 30s when I started to have success in the Northern Order of Merit events.

“I have more recently won two Cheshire match-play championships and was runner up in 2021 as well as winning the Cheshire Foursomes with Mike Downes from The Mere and was fourth in the county stroke-play event.

"Winning Player of the Year for Cheshire was the icing on the cake for my first year as Cheshire captain.

“After recently turning 40 I’m in a great place in my life to enjoy playing golf and am honoured to be county captain. I have a busy life with three young kids at home and a very understanding wife.

“I have my own blinds and shutters business and I am fortunate to have a loving family and amazing friends around me. This all helps to keep playing the game we all love playing.”