At Robinhood Golf Club in Solihull, head professional Jamie Carney has built more than just a thriving golf business — he’s created a family enterprise rooted in hard work, trust and togetherness. Supported by his parents in every aspect of the operation, Jamie’s blend of innovation and tradition has earned him Foremost’s 2024 Breakthrough Professional of the Year award.
Walk into the pro shop at Robinhood Golf Club in Solihull, and you’ll feel it straight away: the warmth, the organisation and the family spirit that runs through the place. Behind the counter, you might be greeted by a familiar face from the Carney family. It’s not just a business here; it’s a family operation built on dedication, trust and the belief that hard work pays off.
At the centre of it all is head professional Jamie Carney, the 2024 Foremost Breakthrough Professional of the Year, a recognition that crowns years of quiet graft, big ideas, and unshakeable family support.
A family foundation
For Jamie, golf has always been a family affair. “The support from my parents goes back long before Robinhood Golf Club,” he reflects. His father, who worked night shifts at Cadbury’s, would pick him up straight from school and drive to the course, staying until the last putt dropped before heading off to work. Back home, his mother kept everything running smoothly so Jamie could focus entirely on his golf.
That rhythm of work, sacrifice and teamwork became the foundation of his career. With their encouragement, Jamie rose to a high standard as a junior, representing England on multiple occasions. Those long evenings on the range didn’t just sharpen his swing; they instilled the discipline and resilience that now define his approach as a PGA professional.
From trainee to leader
When Jamie completed his PGA training and stepped into the role of head professional at Robinhood, it was a major leap in both responsibility and opportunity. He was still young, full of ideas and determined to shape something special. Once again, his parents were at his side.
His mother, who had spent years in banking, offered to help with the admin until he found his feet. What started as a short-term fix became an indispensable role. “She’s learned an awful lot over the past few years at Robinhood,” Jamie says proudly. “Now she’s extremely good and a very valuable member of any team, especially mine.”
Her financial and organisational skills proved essential as the business grew. From VAT records and scheduling to stock management and communication with the club, she became the steady hand behind the scenes, freeing Jamie to focus on members, coaching and retail development.
Building something lasting
Meanwhile, Jamie’s father brought a different kind of expertise. A practical mind and a talent for building meant that he soon found himself at the heart of Robinhood’s transformation. From bespoke storage units and shop fittings to major construction projects, he has had a hand in almost every upgrade the business has made.
Perhaps his most impressive contribution is the indoor performance studio, designed, fitted and finished almost entirely by him. What began as an ambitious idea became a centrepiece of the club’s coaching and custom fitting operation. It now drives year-round engagement, helping Jamie deliver data-led lessons and fittings with TrackMan 4 technology, even through the winter months.
“That studio has been a game-changer,” Jamie explains. “It’s improved my coaching massively and given members a space that feels professional. And the fact dad built it, well, that makes it even more special.”
Blending tradition with innovation
Jamie’s approach to running Robinhood’s professional services is a blend of modern retail thinking and traditional club values. The professional shop is stocked with an impressive breadth of brands, presented with care and attention to detail. Yet what members really respond to is the personal touch.
“It’s the people that make the difference,” Jamie says. “We run a tight, organised outfit at Robinhood and offer a good service to the members. My mum and dad are an absolutely vital part of that.”
The Carneys’ teamwork has created a welcoming environment that feels genuine, not corporate. Whether it’s a member being greeted by name, a smoothly managed order or a well-timed swing tip, there’s a sense of pride in every interaction.
And that balance between professionalism and personal warmth hasn’t gone unnoticed. The Breakthrough Professional of the Year award recognises not only Jamie’s innovation but also the strength of the family unit that underpins it.
Recognition earned, not given
Winning the Foremost Breakthrough Professional of the Year is more than a personal milestone; it’s an acknowledgement of the family effort that built the foundations for success.
Since joining Foremost Golf in November 2019, Jamie has embraced the group’s full support structure to help his business thrive. He chose to use Foremost’s unique Central Payment Service, saving valuable time each week and creating efficiencies from day one. He was also an early adopter of the Foremost POS system, which integrates directly with Central Invoicing to save hours on stock entry while delivering far more accurate reporting.
On the marketing side, the Elite Marketing Programme (EMP) has been central to his customer engagement. From personalised newsletters to in-store campaigns and digital communications, it has given Jamie the tools to communicate professionally and consistently with members and ultimately to drive more sales and bookings.
“The Foremost team is constantly helping us and genuinely want the best for us,” Jamie said after receiving the award. “I’ve worked hard and leaned on Foremost to ensure my business is a success, so to get the recognition from them for this award is a tremendous honour.”
For Robinhood’s members, that hard work is visible every day, in the shop’s presentation, the service standards, and the sense of community that Jamie and his parents have created. Their story is proof that progress in golf retail doesn’t just come from new systems or technology. It comes from people who care.
Looking ahead
As Jamie looks to the future, the goal is to keep building, both literally and figuratively. With a thriving coaching and fitting business, a growing retail presence and a loyal membership, Robinhood Golf Club’s professional team is in strong shape. Yet at its core, the Carney family’s success is still built on the same principles that guided those early practice sessions after school: dedication, teamwork and shared ambition.
“To be honest, I don’t know what I’d do without them,” Jamie admits. “They’ve been absolutely brilliant and have helped me loads over the years. It’s fantastic.”
It’s a story that reminds every PGA professional that success in this industry isn’t just about what happens on the course or in the shop. Sometimes, it’s about the people standing beside you, the ones who turn a good golf business into something truly special.
