Monday, August 22, 2011

Great progress being made

KELAB Golf Perkhidmatan Awam (KGPA) has reasons to be optimistic of producing champions in the near future.

The PGPA junior development programme chief coach Rajah Kelly said the main reason for their confidence was the excellent progress the trainees have made.

“We are on the right track. Our trainees are making inroads in the junior circuit. We are convinced of grooming the current trainees.

“The trainees are showing a lot of enthusiasm. They should be able to make an impact in the coming years,’’ said Rajah Kelly.

The KGPA is also working closely with the Kuala Lumpur Golf Association (KLGA) to realise its vision.

The KLGA has also reasons to look at the programme for young players. The programme has provided the KLGA players for national competitions including the Malaysia Games.

For the new season, the KGPA management has decided to identify a group of potential juniors for a long term training programme.

The selected players will have the privilege to attend an intensive training programme as well as play in amateur competitions.

The KGPA junior development programme has 100 trainees, aged from four to 21, attending training on weekends.

Rajah Kelly has three assistants – Mohamad Rabanni, Gunaselan Saman and Farhan Shariff Yasin – going through the basics. However the trainees have the privilege to train at the driving range as well as attend training during school holidays.

The programme, initiated about 11 years ago, has been a breeding ground for several budding juniors. Farhan was a product of the programme and has become the club champion.

Another young trainee Adam Arif Madzri, who is 10 years, has been a regular winner in the SportExcel junior golf circuit.

Some of the trainees have graduated to earn a living as professionals.

Rajah Kelly said trainees are divided into groups and training was focused on basic skills.

“The trainees will be taught every part of swings involved in golf. We also expect all the trainees to be disciplined and the desire to learn.

“They will have to go through a physical training session before their golf lessons.

“We want all the trainees to excel in golf,’’ said Rajah Kelly.

The programme caters for juniors who cannot afford to be members of golf clubs.

The programme also enjoys excellent support from parents. Some of them come from as far Putrajaya and Bangi.

“We have made it affordable to the trainees.

The presence of parents is encouraging and shows their commitment towards their children. We welcome their active participation in the programme,’’ added Rajah Kelly.


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