If ever there was an award for someone who has thrown himself wholeheartedly into a sporting role in our county then there is no doubt that Mick Seal could stake a strong claim because his tireless work as manager of South Pembrokeshire Golf Club keeps him fully occupied in what is designated as a part-time role.

We recently bumped into Mick when we attended a Golf Day at the club in aid of Air Ambulance, and were impressed with the organisation of what is likely to become an annual event.

"It came about after some brain-storming involving Rob Davies, who helps commercially at the club," said Mick, "and as well as having excellent sponsorship from WP Lewis & Son, the Vauxhall Dealer in Milton, plus the NFU, we enjoyed great support from other local clubs and businesses as we had 24 teams involved

Retired to Pembrokeshire after long service in the Hertfordshire Police

Mick took up the role after he had retired from the Hertfordshire Police Force and came with his wife Theresa to a county where she had family in the Saundersfoot area, settling in Cosheston and deciding to take up golf again.

"Theresa saw a small advert in the local paper asking for a secretary at South Pembs and although I felt the secretarial work wasn't quite for me I decided to apply - and before I knew it I had attended an interview and was given the job!"

Action, not words, as the key

So 2009 was the start of an ultra-busy time for Mick because he decided that changes needed to be made and so he got stuck in - roping in a few eager members to help him paint the clubhouse through and through.

As part of a whole refurbishment process he also had new furniture sponsored and introduced a ‘Spikes Bar’, where members can pop in for a drink without changing out of their golfing footwear. He also runs the club’s golf shop, where the 190 men and 40 women members can buy not only clubs and balls but personalised jumpers, shirts and caps.

Huge innovations made

Then there are brand new flags, rather than the old conduit ones, rakes at every bunker, a new card machine with a swipe card facility for members, a brand new till, a handicap touch-screen TV scoring system and new caterers in John and Claire Short who are dedicated to producing top class catering for members. Mick also organises the bar, runs monthly quizzes and attends most management-based committee meetings.

Since Mick’s role developed from secretary to being manager of South Pembs Golf Club he clearly hasn’t rested on his laurels because other significant innovations include the provision of golf buggies for those who need them and the building of a new five-hole mini-course near the practice area for the juniors to be coached and practice, or for older members who want to use it for developing their short game.

“I am coach to the juniors and very much enjoy our two hours every Wednesday evening after I attended a two-day course at Celtic Manor to gain my level one qualification.

Working with others

“I work closely with Golf Development Wales,” Mick told us, “and we now have a two-year business plan as a result; we use Rob Davies as an excellent marketing-developer for the club and, perhaps most importantly, we have the services of experienced pro Robert Ryder to call upon when needed.

“I also founded ‘Golf4Pembrokeshire’ which sees us joined by Haverfordwest, Tenby and Milford Haven as a group committed to excellence and joint promotion of each other’s courses, and with added buying power as a consortium.”

Still manages to play

Amazingly for someone who puts in so many hours, Mick still manages to make time at least once a week for a round of golf as he plays off a handicap of 12 (he has been lower at 10). He is a member at Tenby Golf Club, where he won the Monthly Medal in November last year and also this January and either plays there or at South Pembs, on a course that he can rightly boast is in superb condition, thanks to the yeoman work of Barry Smith, Mark ‘Percy’ Parsons, Paul Walkey and a youngster called Glen.

“The club has a wonderful aspect looking over the Milford Haven Waterway,” Mick told us and the fairways and greens really look lovely after so much work, as golfers from other clubs who are here to support ‘Air Ambulance’ have commented to us whilst we sit here.”

Family support – and a sporting involvement with the police

With all this work, it is vital that Mick has total support from his wife Theresa although, he tells us,
“She hates golf but has encouraged me all the way,” he says, “as have daughters Emma and Allison before they got older and set off to do their own things.”

Mick really liked swimming as a nipper and enjoyed keeping fit as a firearms officer in the police. He helped police Watford FC football matches for 20 years and admits to being a fan, with games at Arsenal another bonus from work.

The Police also provided him with golf after he started out with a lesson in school and eventually joined the Hertfordshire Police Golf Society, where he was honoured with the captaincy for two years, had a spell as Hon Treasurer and then was roped in to be Hon Secretary for ten years, perhaps inadvertently cutting his teeth then to take over the reins at South Pembs! They played excellent courses all over the county and took on others like the Metropolitan Police in friendly matches.

During his time in the police he was also a member of Welwyn Garden City Golf Club (where Nick Faldo played) and Verulam Golf Club (the golfing home of Samuel Ryder, who founded the Ryder Cup!).

Lighter moments

Mick is serious about all aspects of his golfing involvement but there is still time for lighter moments, in his case seemingly revolving around water, like the time he played the 16th hole at Tenby and the ball landed right on terra firma but as close to water as could be. Mick decided he could still play his shot and did just that – but over-balanced and took a neat dive into the water, much to the amusement of his colleagues!

On another occasion he was playing alongside his brother Dave in Spain when he played a par three with a lake sitting prettily behind the tee. Mick played his shot, heard an almighty splash and turned around to see his golf bag had somehow toppled into the water. He had no choice but to rescue it and played the rest of the round with wet feet and very wet clubs!

And now Mick is safely ensconced at South Pembrokeshire Golf Club and says he is enjoying the challenge of keeping things going really well – and even in a short chat it is easy to see his commitment to the cause.

He is strong-minded, forward-thinking and ever-ready to roll up his sleeves and the club is in safe hands as long as people like Mick Seal are actively involved at the helm!