Golf Coaching Seminar, Under-12 Junior Golf Clinic in Sandakan
KOTA KINABALU: A Golf Coaching Seminar for Teachers and Under-12 Junior Golf Clinic - a joint programme by the Youth and Sports Ministry and Sabah Golf Association (SGA) - was held in Sandakan over the weekend.
The programme organised by SGA and funded by the ministry and Sabah Sports Council also received support from Ministry of Education, Malaysia Golf Association (MGA) and the Sandakan Golf Club.
The coaching seminar was conducted by Ronnie Pan, the state junior coach and programme coordinator, where the objective was to to educate and train teachers on the Methodology of Teaching Junior Golf (Level I and Level II).
“I was impressed with the teachers as most of them were very eager to learn the game and have indicated to start a golf club in the school where they teach,” said Pan.
The second day of the programme saw 55 juniors from the Sandakan Golf Club and kids from various primary schools participating.
To kick off the programme, Pan shared the three important golf issues - Safety, Golfing Etiquette and Discipline - with the juniors.
“The newly trained teachers then will adopt five students each and work on the teaching process they had learnt during the coaching seminar a day earlier.
“It basically covered Grip, Stance and Posture as well as seven steps of a simple golf swing,” said Pan who added that the vision of the programme is to find a champion and players to represent Sandakan in Sabah Games (Saga) or Malaysia Games (Sukma).
To add fun into the programme, golf related games were also organised and managed by the teachers.
“For example hitting a ball close to a target which encourages distance control and concentration.
“A putting competition was also held for teachers and parents with the objective of encouraging involvement by all in the programme,” he said.
Youth and Sports Ministry permanent secretary Datuk Hj Awang Damit Hj Awang Anak presented the prizes and certificates to the participants.
For the record, Sandakan junior Mohd Aswald Aizuddin Mohd Sapre is currently representing Sabah in the boys’ under-12 category at the National Schools (MSSM) golf tournament in Kedah.
“With support from Sandakan Golf Club such as in using their driving range from time to time, this will surely improve the standard of golfing among the juniors in Sandakan,” added Pan.