Meet The Team

Mike Raj
Head PGA Professional

Mike is our Head PGA Professional here at Whittington Heath Golf Club, having started working at the club in 1994 and moving on to become Head Professional in 2009.

Mike has been involved in coaching golf to both absolute beginners and tournament professionals since 1994. During his playing career he has won six Professional Tournaments across the UK, Europe, USA and Australia and is the holder of two course records. A former Warwickshire U-21 Captain and Matchplay Champion, Mike is a Grade A Coach, having achieved a scholarship from the Professional Golfers’ Association for finishing 7th in the 1998 UK and Ireland PGA Exams.

With more than 20 years’ experience in coaching at every level of the game, Mike believes in using a player’s own natural movements to create an effective and repeatable swing.

“We are all built differently. So why teach the same swing to everyone? A quick study of the World’s top players will show how different swings can produce great results. There is no one method that will suit all golfers, and any attempts to change what comes naturally, or to over-complicate the swing, will result in frustration, lack of confidence and ultimate dissatisfaction with the game. To say nothing of the added expense of unnecessary coaching. I will help you to achieve your goals within these restraints and get the most enjoyment from your game.”

We stock the latest in golf clothing, footwear and equipment from the game’s leading manufacturers, offering a personal service tailored to your needs, from reviewing and adjusting your existing clubs to bespoke fitting of new clubs. We’ll even accompany you around a few holes to make sure you are completely happy with your new clubs.

• Latest clothing and equipment from the leading brands
• Loft & lie checks and adjustment
• Demo clubs from Taylormade, Titleist, Ping, Srixon and Cleveland
• Authorised fitting centre for Ping and Taylormade
• Click & collect/return for Foremost orders
• After-sales service committed to helping you get the most from your equipment
• We’re passionate about delivering the very best advice and customer service!

Contact Information
Website – www.mikerajgolf.co.uk
Email – mikerajpro@hotmail.co.uk

Ben Paylor-Jones
Class A PGA Professional

Ben is a Class A PGA Professional with traditional values, but, with a keen eye on the golf club’s future. The development and profile of Whittington Heath Golf Club sits very high alongside his own personal development.

“The golf industry is forever progressing; we must continue to grow the game we all love and develop new skills that allow us to give the best experience possible to everyone that we meet, give everyone the best 5 minutes of our time that we have to offer.”

Ben turned professional in 2012 and graduated from the PGA Training programme through the University of Birmingham in 2016, gaining full status to the PGA as a playing and teaching golf professional. Ben, who has previously been a junior member of WHGC has now been part of the team here at WHGC since June 2020, rapidly building a good rapport with staff and club Members.

Competitively, Ben has won Pro-Am events on the PGA of Warwickshire and Midlands circuits, along with attaining Top 5 placings in National Mini Tour events. However, to date the highlight of Ben’s playing career was to reach final Qualifying at Hillside GC for the 2016 Open, following a top 5 position out of a field of 130 playing professional’s and leading amateurs at Luffenham Heath GC.

As a keen all-round sportsman Ben has previously represented Staffordshire at County level in both Rugby and Golf and District level in Cricket. Having a wide-ranging interest in sport, health and well-being Ben has used his knowledge to become a qualified Golf Fitness Instructor gaining the PGA Biomechanics qualification and a NASM Golf fitness Diploma. Ben, has led group coaching sessions for juniors and ladies, as well as individual, one to one coaching for beginners, scratch golfers and individuals with disabilities and special needs. Having an enthusiastic interest in club technology, custom fitting and club repair Ben shows a set of skills that are now an integral part of what the modern PGA Professional has to offer.

Contact information
Email – pgaprojones@icloud.com
Instagram – @benpjgolf
Facebook – @BENPJGOLF
Twitter – @BenPJGolf

Rachel Bailey

Rachel is an experienced PGA Professional having qualified in 2008 and is back at Whittington again after starting her career here as a junior.

Rachel began her coaching career after competing on the Ladies European Tour. She had six years of competing all over Europe and Australia earning some top 10s and a win in Biarritz, France in 2001. She competed in the British Open, Evian Masters and was a member of the victorious Weetabix Challenge LET team during matches against Great Britain numerous times.

As an amateur she attained a handicap of plus one, won the Midlands Championship, the English Intermediate title and represented England U21’s. She represented Staffordshire for years and was Whittington Club Champion 4 times. 

Rachel has played in numerous pro-ams, corporate events, held demonstrations and clinics and has done instruction on both TV and in magazines.

After completing the PGA qualification she has gone on to do various professional development courses as well as qualifying as a Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor. This enables her to run a Fit for Golf program where she will assess a person’s fitness to play golf as well as working on the technical aspects of the swing. 

Rachel coaches players of all abilities. She is a Staffordshire county coach and also runs our Ladies Beginners program as well as looking after individual clients.