IT'S not every golfer who can say they have competed against Tiger Woods but Oliver Darby has -- though like most pros on the world circuit he didn't beat him.

The 26-year-old, who has recently taken up a post as PGA teaching professional at Droitwich's Gaudet Luce club, remembers the occasion with a wry grin as even then the signs of Tigermania were evident as huge galleries followed his exploits on the amateur circuit.

Darby was in the middle of a two-year golf scholarship at Tennessee University in Chattanooga when he crossed Woods' path and admits the whole scenario was crazy.

"The organisers were forced to change everything, in terms of the facilities, because of Tiger," remembers Darby.

"It was only an amateur tournament but it was like a proper pro event with lots of spectators and gallery ropes and extra parking spaces just because of Tiger.

"He was winning all the amateur championships and everybody was waiting for him to turn pro, but it was all a bit crazy."

Needless to say Tiger won but Darby has also been celebrating his own success recently after winning last month's Worcestershire PGA Assistants Championship at King's Norton with rounds of 73 and 71, level par for the day.

Combing teaching duties with competing in Midland PGA events offers Darby the best of both worlds -- a situation he enjoys.

"Competing is what it's all about and is what drives you on a lot of the time but I also enjoy the teaching as well," he said.

"If someone comes to you who is really struggling with their game and they start to get it back and hit good shots it's a great feeling and very rewarding."

It is in competition that Darby's heart lies, however, and if his form continues he may consider testing himself on the Mastercard Tour.

"That's the next step up and I will reassess my golf at the end of the year and might think about giving it a go. However, you need sponsorship because it gets expensive to compete with entry to tournaments costing around £300 and there is a lot of pressure."

As a youngster Darby, a former Royal Grammar School, Worcester, student, played his golf at Little Lakes but enjoyed his first break in the sport when he was talent-spotted while at a tournament in North Carolina and landed a scholarship at Tennessee.

It proved to be an amazing experience for the Great Witley-born golfer and the collegiate system in America produces all of America's best players, including Woods.

"Practice facilities and generally the golf course conditions are streets ahead of the majority of courses in this country," said Darby.

"I think the climate has a lot to do with this where the weather is far better and also more predicable enabling them to produce better courses."

In the future Darby would love to return to work in the States, but for now he is more than happy teaching and competing in Worcestershire.

"It is fantastic to be involved in something that started as a hobby," he added.

"Of course it is not all sunshine and flowers and like other jobs can have its bad days but not for long and once you hit a couple of good shots, its all smiles again."