Staff Profile

Head Professional Michael Bannon

Michael began his career in the PGA at Ardglass golf club in 1980 and spent three years there as assistant to Hugh Duggan. In 1983 he moved on to Holywood Golf Club to be the assistant to Sam Bacon and one year later succeeded him as the head professional. Michael spent 15 years at Holywood before moving on to his current role at Bangor golf club in 1999.

Michael is one of the UK’s top teaching professionals and coach to European Tour star Rory McIlroy from 8 years of age. Michael has taught many successful elite amateurs and many of the regions top professionals and in the past worked for 10 years with the GUI Ulster branch. Golf is a passion for Michael and he takes as much satisfaction from teaching beginners as he does teaching top players rooting his beliefs in sound basics and simplicity of the swing.

As a player himself Michael has won over 20 events on the Irish Region Tour and numerous top ten finishes. In 1997 at Powerscourt in the Irish Professional Championships Michael was beaten in a playoff by Padraig Harrington.

Today Michael focuses on teaching golfers of all abilities and expectations and helping them to move their game onto another level and get more enjoyment out of their golf.

“I love my job here at Bangor Golf Club and really enjoy working with a great group of members and their families. We have a great junior section here in the club and with the coaching that we do we have had many successes and hope to continue that trend.”
Michael Bannon

Michael bannon article from PGA YEARBOOK – download PDF document

Senior Assistant Stephen Gordon

Stephen began his career in the PGA at Holywood Golf Club in 2005 and spent three years there working as assistant to Professional Paul Gray. In 2008 Stephen took up the position of Assistant Professional at The K Club in Co. Kildare to Head Professional Lynn McCool. During his time there he also went on exchange to work for several months at Reunion Golf Resort in Orlando Florida.

Stephen joined the club in early 2009 to work and learn under Michael, also taking a keen interest in coaching golfers of all abilities both adults and juniors. Stephen Manages the retail side of the Proshop and is always glad to look after your golfing needs.

Assistant Sam Brown

Sam joined us at the club in early 2010 and is in the early stages of a career in Professional Golf. Sam grew up playing his golf at both Royal Belfast and Holywood golf clubs.

Sam has a great passion for retail and hopes to study the PGA program and develop his knowledge of the industry.