CHEPSTOW’S former European Tour player Liam Bond is looking to the future by constructing his own golf academy in the Forest of Dean.

Work on the Liam Bond Golf Academy, situated next to the Hanley Farm Shop in Tidenham, started last year.

The grand opening takes place on Sunday, July 2 from noon to 5pm, when Paul Barrington will give a demonstration of his world-famous trick shot show.

Bond said: “Bring your clubs and sample the range. We have also arranged snag golf for the little ones to make it a family outing.”

The 47-year-old, who has been based at Marriott St Pierre for 27 years after moving to Wales from Southport, has spent time on the Canadian, Challenge, Mastercard, Europro and PGA West Region tours.

Now he has borrowed money and sunk his life savings into building a 10-bay range and indoor simulator room.

He added: “I dreamed up the idea 18 months ago. I needed to think about my future and this is going to be an academy of excellence.

“I wanted somewhere to encourage youngsters to take up golf and also provide a quality facility where I can hopefully establish an elite stable of good players.

“I can draw on my experience of playing around the world and also advise on avoiding mistakes I have made.

“That is why I am investing in top-quality equipment. I have noticed a lack of quality practice facilities at some ranges but that is not a mistake I am making.”

He is fully supported by his wife Emma, who is expecting their third child in September, and children Daisy and Oscar.

Bond certainly never gives up on his ambitions.

He eventually qualified for the European Tour on his 15th visit to the qualifying school in 2010 at the age of 40.

His best finish was at the 2011 BMW Open in Munich.

He also earned plaudits by taking a one-shot lead into the third round of the Wales Open two years later, although he slipped down the field over the weekend to finish 43rd.

The same year he dominated PGA West Region golf, romping home in the Order of Merit with four wins and one second place in six events.

Last year he crept under the radar to take the title after the final event, the West Region PGA Championship at Saunton.