ENJOYING a joke and a sing-song have combined to give professional Mike Welsh a burgeoning second career.

By day the 44-year-old is the head pro at Hereford's spectacular Belmont Lodge and Golf Course but by night he becomes Mr Karoake and even does stand-up comedy.

Indeed if golf had not become his profession then Welsh is convinced entertainment would have been his calling.

As it stands however he is now using his sharp wit and humour to good effect off the golf course.

His foray into karaoke took off two years ago when the riverside Belmont course was hit by floods leaving Welsh kicking his heels unable to teach for four months.

The prospect of a repeat experience prompted him to take up a suggestion by a taxi friend of his that they launch karaoke.

"In the end I started on my own and it's worked tremendously well and I'm getting paid for taking the mickey out of people so it can't be too bad," he said.

Ever one to give things a go Welsh has also done stand-up in some of pubs around Hereford.

He tried stand-up after winning a talent contest he was entered for by his wife in revenge for his practical joke of putting her and a friend down for Miss Bideford while on holiday in North Devon.

"I hadn't got a clue she'd put my name down but I got up and told a few jokes and ended up winning a free week's holiday and came third in the grand final," he said.

"Since then I've had a stab at doing a couple of pubs but it is a big challenge and is really very hard."

Welsh also does after dinner speaking and has a wealth of stories from his years as a golf pro.

"If you can't make a fool of yourself in life on occasions it is a bit sad. People need to have fun," he said.

Coaching remains his first love but he sees many similarities between teaching and the entertainment world.

"Golf teaching is entertainment because if you can't make them happy they are not going to improve," he added.

"A lot of pupils get nervous and they don't improve so I have to ensure they mustn't get embarrassed.

"The main thing is to enjoy it and if you miss it doesn't matter."

Welsh has been at Belmont since it opened in 1983 and with the club's stunning views of the Black Mountains, The Malverns, Queenswood, Belmont Abbey and Hereford Cathedral, it is easy to see why the prospect of moving to another course does not come high in his list of priorities.

Belmont also has excellent coarse fishing and when the demands of teaching and karoake allow time Welsh likes nothing more than fishing on the banks of the River Wye that meanders past the course.

A 21lb pike proudly displayed in the pro shop is testament not only to his angling skills but also a timely warning for golfers who slice into the river and may be tempted to take off their shoes to recover any lost balls.

As a youngster growing up in Hereford Welsh admitted to being a "nightmare" for his parents but an advert for an assistant's post at Olton under the wing of Archie Lourie propelled him into a career which to this day he still revels in.

"I love teaching and it makes me happy for people to do well

"I've enjoyed every minute of teaching and there has never been a day when I've thought 'oh God I have got to give a lesson'," he added.

As Welsh prepares for another summer of teaching you can be sure there will be plenty of laughter along the way and if the heavens open there is always his karoake to keep the punters entertained.