Leinster Golf’s 2019 talent drive underway
LEINSTER Golf is keen to make sure young talent doesn’t slip through the net.
“Driving Boys Development” is the new catchline for the Leinster Golf Pathway 2019 and following a review of last year’s programme, the age profile has been raised to include boys under 14.
This will bring the coaching initiative into line with the Golfing Union of Ireland’s High Performance Programme and provide more players with focused coaching in a development environment.
The programme is designed to bridge the gap between the Confederation of Golf in Ireland’s (CGI) efforts to increase participation in golf and act as an additional feed for the GUI’s High Performance panels.
Juniors will receive high-quality, structured coaching appropriate for their age and learn how to take responsibility for their practice.
Golfers who show “the required level of golfing ability and skill” will be offered the chance to participate in the GUI’s High Performance (HP) Programme.
Last year, 143 boys participated with 26 selected to attend the GUI National High Performance trials.
In the end, 16 young golfers made the transition to the GUI’s HP Coaching panels with 12 making a Development Panel, and four added to the U14 Panel.
Phase 1 begins in March with coaching scheduled at six locations throughout Leinster.
All boys participating will be given feedback and recommendations on how best to accelerate their development.
Players meeting the required benchmarks at Phase 1 will be selected for Phase 2, comprising six two-hour coaching sessions, based on feedback and assessment from Development Coaches including Michelle Carroll, Bernard Quigley, Craig Lewis, Nigel Howley and Kenny Fahey.
Again, players meeting the required benchmarks from Phase 2 will be selected for Phase 3, scheduled for June and July, where there will be four two-hour sessions aimed at transitioning towards competition and High Performance assessments in August.
Eligibility:
Boys must be eight years old or Under 14 years on 1st January 2019;
Boys who are current members of GUI Regional/ Provincial Panels are NOT eligible to participate
Boys must own golf clubs, have previous experience of playing on a golf course and have attended PGA led coaching either privately or as part of a group,
The fee for participation in Phase 1 – scheduled for Athy, New Forest, Bunclody, Dun Laoghaire, Balbriggan and the GUI National Academy at Carton House – is €25 per player and venues and dates are listed on Eventbrite.ie by searching for Leinster Golf Pathway 2019.