The UAE’s most promising junior golfers are to be given a unique opportunity to develop their golf skills on a daily basis while receiving a world class education with the establishment of the Middle East region’s first Junior Asian Golf Academy (JAGA).
The ground-breaking initiative, which has received backing from the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF), promises to 10x the speed at which the region’s leading young talents progress by immersing them in golf practice every day under the tutelage of JAGA certified international coaches while staying on a residential boarding school style campus.
Alongside their golf practice, they will benefit from a tier one Canadian High School Diploma, which is rated in the top five education systems in the world, and gain access to some of the top universities in the world including Harvard, Stanford, University of Toronto and Penn State.
“The Emirates Golf Federation believe that by having an Academy that offers quality education, high performance athletic training, and elite competition will provide a platform to produce elite golfers in the region,” said Emirates Golf Federation Vice Chairman, General Abdullah Alhashmi. “We look at other countries across the globe and see this platform has been established and successful for decades. The results are clear, this platform creates elite golfers while giving boys and girls an education, learning life skills, and building personal values on and off the course.”
The JAGA teaching and measurement methodology includes a coloured belt system similar to that seen in karate or judo whereby key progression milestones are marked with a new belt as students continue on their path to mastery of the sport.
“The JAGA-Way Belt Progression system revolutionises the golf industry by bringing objectivity, consistency, and repeatability to player development, allowing for a global expansion of standardised measures and customised training programs,” said John Laroche, CEO and Founder of the Junior Asian Golf Academy.
The new golf boarding school facility in the UAE, which is set to open in September, is being established following the success of the world’s first Junior Asian Golf Academy which is located at Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand where Scotsman Alan Murdoch – a former Asian and Challenge Tour player – is Director of Golf.
Aside from best-in-class golf coaching and education, JAGA, in partnership with the EGF and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), are running over 25 World Amateur Golf Ranking events for Super Elite, Elite and Apprentice level student-athletes across five countries (Singapore, Vietnam, UAE, Thailand, India).
The first of the Optimas-JAGA International Series events, designed to provide student-athletes in Asia and Africa with more opportunities to compete in world-class events without the burden of extensive travel, is set to take place at Al Ain Equestrian Golf & Shooting Club from April 11-14 with the course sure to be in excellent condition with the rising stars of the Challenge Tour due to lock horns a week later.
“JAGA would like to thank the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation and Emirates Golf Federation for partnering with JAGA and understanding our vision,” said Laroche. “As junior golf continues to rapidly develop in the region we feel that it is important to provide players with the platform to compete and gain exposure for the next level. We would also like to thank Optimas for their generous support with the International Series which will be a springboard for these student-athletes.”
Alhashmi, added: “We at the Emirates Golf Federation look forward to working alongside JAGA and the different opportunities that they provide for the region. The International Series event in April will give the top players across the Asia Pacific and Africa an opportunity to showcase their talent.”
Visit www.j-aga.com to find out more
