ARMED WITH his new PGA professional 'ticket', Torquay's James Martin already has ambitious plans for a career in the game, writes David Thomas.

But Martin, 24, wants to break new ground in areas like improving the fitness of amateur and youth players.

Former Westlands School pupil Martin, assistant to Barry Austin at Downes Crediton, certainly joined the senior pro ranks in style.

He finished in the top-20 in the PGA's final qualifying 'exams' at The Belfy recently.

That was against a big field of the best would-be pros from the UK and beyond.

He has already come a long way since falling in love with golf as a kid on Torre Abbey's pitch-and-putt course!

He won the West Region PGA Trainee Of The Year in 2009, and could win it again this year.

After leaving school, he joined the Teign Valley club and then joined Austin at Crediton nearly five years ago. Austin commented: "James has worked really hard, and he's done brilliantly. He will be keen to continue playing, but he enjoys coaching and the people side of the game.

"I would love him to be with me for a little while yet, but in some ways he also needs to be getting out there and doing new things."

Martin is already thinking along those lines. He plans to do a master's degree in Sports Science. And he's already working with Torquay's Winners 2000 Gym.

"I am working on my own fitness to improve my game, because after four years of studying I'd like to see how good I can get as a player," he said.

"But I'm also very interested in developing fitness programmes for players at all levels of the game — pros, amateurs and children.

"For example, all over the world coaches teach children how to swing a golf club.

"But if they are not physically strong enough and don't have the motor skills to get into all the correct positions, it can be a waste of time."