Leadership
Rob Kelly’s Tee-rific Leadership is Shaping the Future of Manx Golf
Rob Kelly’s journey started the way a lot of great Manx sporting stories do, as a kid tagging along with his dad at the local club. He first picked up a golf club at age 10 at Peel Golf Club and has been part of the community ever since. Once he got too old for the junior section, he didn’t drift away. Instead, he stepped up.
Learning the ropes from his dad, helping out during university holidays, and eventually taking on the junior organiser role himself, Rob found a natural path into leadership. That path, combined with his passion for making the sport more accessible, earned him a spot as a Gef 30 Under 30 2025 winner in the Leadership category, supported by Prospero Group.
Building a new kind of golf community
Today, Rob helps run Tuesday night club events for juniors throughout the summer. Whether it’s coaching, free taster sessions, or weekly competitions supported by local sponsors, he’s helped shape a version of golf that feels welcoming and modern. No pretence. No pressure. Just a sport kids can try, enjoy and grow through.
‘We’ve built a great community down at Peel, and I think even the parents feel like a big part of it. They caddy for their kids, grab a bite to eat in the clubhouse afterwards and just enjoy the experience together.’
He works closely with Peel’s PGA pro and best mate Lewis Dening, using other local facilities like the Tommy Clucas Community Hall during winter to keep the momentum going year-round. The vibe is simple but powerful: give young people the same chance he had to fall in love with the sport.
Making golf more accessible
Golf can still feel out of reach to many, but Rob’s work is breaking down those barriers. From free starter coaching to borrowing clubs at no cost, the focus at Peel is on value and inclusivity.
‘We’ve really tried to lead it into the modern age. I think the sport still has negative connotations, like being elitist or expensive, but it doesn’t have to be that way. At the junior level especially, we want to make it easy for kids to give it a go.’
More than just a sport, he sees golf as a way to teach important life skills like resilience, perseverance and decision-making. All things that can shape good people, not just good players.
Finding balance and building support
Outside the fairways, Rob juggles multiple jobs. He works at Zurich International and behind the bar at Fynoderee in Ramsey, where he’s part of another vibrant young team. His ability to balance it all comes from being part of a strong support network.
‘Fitting everything in can be tough, but work has been brilliant. Zurich lets me flex my hours so I can get to the club on Tuesdays, and I’ve got great people around me who help when I need it.’
Rob is always thinking about the future of the club, and the community spirit he’s worked so hard to build shows no sign of slowing down. ‘We’ve got such good support from local sponsors, and I’d love to keep building on that. I’m also hoping to get more involved in sport development on the island more broadly.’
One thing he’s keen to improve is the connection between local clubs and governing bodies. With eight golf courses packed into such a small island, Rob knows the Isle of Man is sitting on a rare sporting gem.
For someone not too fussed about being in the limelight, Rob’s impact is clear. He’s helping reshape what sport can look like for young people here, not just a hobby but a gateway to confidence, friendships and community.
‘It’s a privilege to give kids the same opportunities I had growing up. I’ve met some of my best mates through sport. It’s great to be able to give that back.’
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