GRAHAM Farr knows he has a tough act to follow when he becomes Worcester Golf and Country Club's new professional.

Farr, aged 44, takes over from Colin Colenso, who has been in the role for 30 years, next month.

"Colin's been a great servant to the club and fair play to him," Farr said. "The thing about Colin which I admire is he's not just a golf pro, he gets out and gets stuck in on the course.

"He's going to remain as nurturer of the trees. It's been his life here and it's very important that it remains part of his life."

However, officials at the Bransford Road club believe the position is in safe hands when Farr moves in permanently.

The Tenbury Wells-born golfer brings a wealth of experience to the role and is looking forward to sharing his knowledge with the people of Worcester.

"It's a great honour to represent Worcester Golf and Country Club," he said. "I have a passion for golf. I like to pass on my passion and excitement as well and helping people start the game.

"Golf at the moment is a little bit stagnant in growth, so I love to see new people coming into golf because it's a great sport that you can do forever.

"I have been lucky to play, to be a good player, to instruct some very famous people and also learn from some very famous people. I want to pass on what I've learnt to others and hopefully everybody can benefit."

Farr's golf career began 33 years ago and he turned professional in 1980. He was head professional at Ludlow Golf Club between 1985 and 1992 before taking up a similar position at Telford Golf and Country Club from 1992 to 1996.

For four years until 2000, he was stationed at Cleobury Mortimer and spent the next two years as county coach of Worcestershire. He was also county coach of Shropshire and Herefordshire for 10 years.

More recently, since 2002, Farr moved to Florida where he worked at the Phil Ritson Golf Institute and caddied for KJ Choi on the PGA Tour.

His playing record is also impressive, having been crowned Shropshire and Herefordshire champion on three occasions and played in two Open Championships.

Yet, when Farr takes up his position, he will not spend all his time playing 18 holes. Far from it, in fact.

He said: "The club professional job is a role of running a business regarding the shop where the members can look forward to coming into the shop, into a pleasant environment, and either buy some equipment or get some advice about equipment.

"At the end of the day it's business, but hopefully they become your friends as well.

"My passion is instructing people and helping people play better and the most important thing is that people enjoy playing because that's what they take it up for."

Farr also holds the Bransford Road club in high esteem. "It's a great facility because it's a very old traditional golf club," he added.

"I love the old traditional side of it. It's probably one of the original country clubs where it has tennis courts and squash courts as well. It's just a beautiful setting.

"One of the other great things about being here is the fact that it is very dry. It's got a very dry course, then it becomes a 12-month season so members get value for money.

"I am just looking forward to it and I'm the sort of guy who loves banter. In America, they were mainly pay and play courses so I've not really had that club atmosphere. It's different people every day in America.

"I missed the club atmosphere and I look forward to getting back into that side of things."