GOLF: Patrick Smith's family specialise in the motor trade but the only driving career he has ever wanted is out on the fairways.

Now the 25-year-old is set to realise a long-standing ambition by becoming head professional at Kidderminster Golf Club.

On September 1, Smith officially succeeds out-going long-serving professional Nick Underwood who is stepping down after 32 years in the post.

Replacing the popular Underwood at the Russell Road club would be a daunting task for many but Smith has been inspired to follow in his footsteps since joining the club as an assistant straight from school.

The family business is Fred Smith and Sons but it was the business of repairing swings and clubs rather than dented cars which beckoned for Smith junior once he got the golfing bug.

Smith, whose introduction to the club came as a 10-year-old when he caddied for his father Bill, said: "I saw the way Nick went about the job and I thought 'I quite like this'.

"I always had the family business to fall back on but that was the easy way out. Once I started to play golf I got hooked and I loved it.

"It's a hard act to follow but because I've been here for 10 years I know what is expected of me.

"I know what standards I have got to produce so I'm not coming to it blind which makes it a bit easier.

"I've also got the support of a lot of the members who have been superb so that helps too.

"I have been here for 15 years as a member and I love the club and the people, and I am honoured to be given the chance to be their head professional."

Smith still loves playing and highlights include a top-15 finish in the English Amateur Championships at St Mellion while he was also a member of the Worcestershire team which tasted county success for the first time in 30 years.

He has also been Kidderminster club champion twice and playing remains important to him, as does the teaching side of the job.

Smith continued: "I manage to do a bit of everything. One thing you can't lose is your playing because you lose your credibility.

"I still want to play in all the county events and keep my eye in. If you are not careful it can sneak up on you and you realise you haven't played for three weeks."

The golf professional's life is filled with long days but for Smith that's all part of the job.

He added: "It's hard work, the hours are long, up to 11 hours a day, but it is good fun as well.

"Time goes fast because you are enjoying yourself, it's not like working in an office every day. You are always meeting people, having a chat and it's quite a laid back environment - as long as you are doing your job properly."

They say good things come in threes and with an impending move to an apartment overlooking the course, and his beloved West Brom winning promotion, that has certainly been the case for Kidderminster's head professional in-waiting.

And Smith will have plenty of help from assistant Richard Wassell who is a former Worcestershire amateur and Worcestershire Open champion.