DIRECTOR OF GOLF: Aaron Galbraith

Aaron was appointed Canterbury’s first director of golf in March 2020 after six years as head professional at Sene Valley Golf Club.

His new role meant a return to the club where he had been junior captain and, at the age of 17, played East Kent League golf.

He started his traineeship as a professional in 1998 at what is now Manston Golf Centre. After qualifying in 2002, he spent the following six years specialising in custom fitting and coaching.

He then joined North Foreland as assistant professional and head coach, a role that saw him develop coaching structures and manage stock purchasing and budgets.

In April 2014, Aaron moved on to Sene Valley, his first position as head professional, and he swiftly became a popular member of staff and established a reputation for his coaching skills and technique. He also enjoyed a number of successes playing on the Kent and South Region PGA circuits.

As director of golf, Aaron’s responsibilities include providing a first-class golf and retail experience for members and guests, helping source new revenue streams, representing the golf services department on matters of policy and development, ensuring the efficient running of golf events and deputising for the general manager as and when appropriate.

He will also contribute to the management of the driving range and liaise with the course manager on course maintenance, 

Aaron enjoys most sports, has three children, Jack, 20, Hannah, 14, and Evie, 10, and lives in Ramsgate.

ASSISTANT PROFESSIONAL: Robert Jesus

Robert Jesus hails from Madeira, where he learned to play golf. At the age of 16, he was already playing in pro events before he turned professional in 2012.

He came to England in 2017 to pursue his qualification as a PGA professional and, at the age of 22, joined the Canterbury Golf Club staff. He is now in his final year of a three-year golf business studies degree course through Birmingham University.

Robert is awaiting the results of his exams but is looking to add to his qualifications by pursuing a Titleist Performance Institute certificate, which is designed to increase player performance through a greater understanding of the relationship between the body and the golf swing and the benefits of improved fitness.

He is also planning to enlist on a PGA director-of-golf training course.

Opportunities to play on the regional pro circuit have been limited by a back injury until recently but Robert is now recovered and has a full diary of events until the end of the year.

As well as holding ladies’ and beginners’ group sessions throughout the year and coaching players of all abilities, including two aspiring professionals, Robert assists head pro Danny Maude at weekly lessons for King’s School pupils.

He has also run international golf camps for players from Germany, France and Spain in the past and hopes to resume doing so next year if current restrictions are eased.

PGA PROFESSIONAL: Maxine Burton

European Tour winner Maxine brings a wealth of experience with her to the pro shop and to the coaching division at the club.

Maxine, whose parents were golfers, took up the game at a very early age and within a few years was collecting titles and trophies. These included the South Eastern Girls’ Handicap Championship, the Surrey Girls’ Championship on three occasions and the English Girls’ Championship. She also represented England in a number of team events.

Maxine, who was born and raised in Surrey, turned pro in 1978 and became a founder member of the WPGA European Tour.

She scored her first professional success, in the Carlsberg Tournament at Arcot Hall, two years later and collected a second trophy when winning the 1984 Spanish Open at La Manga.

Maxine featured on the WPGT Mini Tour in the United States for three years, spent one year on the US Futures Tour and two years on the Asian Ladies’ Tour.

In 1994, she was appointed head professional at Hurtmore GC, Godalming, and four years later became general manager.

Since 2014, Maxine has been coaching at Sittingbourne GC and in 2016 was made an honorary member of the PGA.

She joined Canterbury in August 2019 and will be assisting in the pro shop and is available to give lessons.