Dale has been part of creating a successful team at Ping Europe

Dale, 48, has been at Ping for 31 years andhas been in his current role for the past eight years.

Dale said: “I was the Warehouse and Shipping Manager at the time and my role crossed over with Production, when the position became available.

“The challenge was to balance all three areas and develop a team producing a World class product.

“Every day I see new challenges, whether it is to complete a bespoke order or to make sure overall demand is met to the highest quality possible.

“The rewards of the job is seeing the satisfaction of my team and knowing that everything we produce has the potential to improve a players game at whatever level.”

When he was younger Dale’s ambition was to become a professional footballer.

Dale said: “When that did not materialise through injury, I wanted to remain in the area but keep a sporting theme to my job.

“Ping was only a small company when I joined with 15 employees.”

Dale says his biggest ambition has been helping to grow the team to where they are now but still keeping the family tradition and values.

Outside of work his biggest ambitions have bee n completing a 10km run in 36 minutes and a half marathon in one hour and 23 minutes, piloting a Glider, reef diving in the Maldives, running and walking the Yorkshire three peaks with his wife, Elaine, and he has had the chance to play football at Hampden Park, Elland Road, Old Trafford and Anfield.

Dale was born in Gainsborough and attended Parish Church Primary School and then went to Castle Hills Secondary School.

Dale said: “As a schoolboy I captained the town in football at District, County and inter regional level for the East Midlands.

“I left school and signed schoolboy forms with Doncaster Rovers under the legend Billy Bremner.

“I had a short spell at Tottenham before returning back to Gainsborough and helped my dad in his plumbing firm, Parkinson and Hand.”

Dale is married to Elaine who is the Credit Manager at Ping and he has two sons and a step daughter.

Dale said: “My son Adam is a Development Crew Manager at Gainsborough Fire Station and Ben works at Ping, he is also a Retained Firefighter in town.

“Megan is in Year 9 at Huntcliff School.

“I also have a great dog Ozzie, a beautiful miniature Labradoodle.”

Dale’s ambition is to stay at Ping and be an integral part of the future.

He said: “And to drive around Europe in an open top sports car.”

When he is not at work Dale loves to keep fit including road running, weights, cycling and hill walking.

He said: “Anything that gives you a challenge and the reward feeling at the end

“I train with my wife, Elaine, so this makes it more enjoyable that we have the same interests and drive, but I do hate to lose.”

Dale also loves cars, especially detailing them, and the aesthetics of a beautiful car.

He said: “I was recently lucky enough to buy my first Porsche.”

Dale is an avid sports fan and a keen follower of Leeds United.

He said: “But over the years my loyalty has been tested.”

Gainsborough is the location for the Europe branch of Ping but the company is world wide.

And Ping’s European Custom Fitting Centre is located at Gainsborough Golf Club.

For more information about Ping visit www.pingeurope.com and for more information about Gainsborough Golf Club visit www.gainsboroughgc.co.uk.