Parents dreaming of Tiger kids<\/p>\n
By Novan Iman Santosa and Primastuti Handayani<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Five-year-old Andhika sat stunned in front of
\nthe TV watching golf icon Tiger Woods make a final birdie putt on
\nthe 18th green at Augusta on April 10.<\/p>\n
When Woods lifted his trophy -- making him the holder of all
\nfour Grand Slam titles, the Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and
\nPGA Championship, the boy shouted to his mother: \"Mom, I want to
\nlearn golf. I want to be like Tiger Woods.\"<\/p>\n
The mother, Rima, was stunned to hear the boy's cry. How can
\nshe turn her son into Tiger Woods? Where can her son learn golf
\nat such an early age? Luckily her husband, who plays golf, was
\ntold by some friends to contact golf courses that have their own
\ngolf academies.<\/p>\n
Rima later took Andhika to a golf course and they saw some
\nboys and girls lined at the driving range for a lesson.<\/p>\n
\"Finally, he can chase his dream,\" she said in relief.<\/p>\n
The Pondok Indah Golf and Country Club is the perfect
\ndestination for parents whose children want to learn how to play
\ngolf. The course is home to a pilot project started by the
\nJakarta chapter of the Indonesian Golf Association (PGI) to train
\nyoung golfers.<\/p>\n
The chapter official in charge of athlete development,
\nJubilant Arda Harmidy, nicknamed Teddy, said the project began
\nearlier this year.<\/p>\n
\"It's just a start. We thought we would start with only 10 to
\n15 children. Apparently the feedback is amazing and we had to
\nscrutinize the children before admitting 61 of them,\" said Teddy,
\nwho is also the deputy of junior development at the Pondok Indah
\nGolf Course.<\/p>\n
\"The idea to set up the academy was based on our envy of
\nother countries, especially Thailand, where juniors can practice
\nfree of charge. We want to help juniors to be able to represent
\nIndonesia in international events, as we did in the 1970s,\" said
\nTeddy, himself a former junior player.<\/p>\n
The children in the academy, ranging in age from six to 12,
\nare divided into beginner A and B, intermediate A and B and
\nadvanced classes. They practice from Monday to Thursday,
\ndepending on which class they are placed in and the children's
\nschool activities. Each coach is responsible for four students
\nevery session.<\/p>\n
In the beginner class, children are taught the basics of golf,
\nincluding physical conditioning and theory. They will learn more
\ntechnical skills in the intermediate class.<\/p>\n
In the advanced class, students focus more on course
\nmanagement, shot choice and the mental approach to golf.<\/p>\n
\"In the advanced class, basically we teach them how to shoot a
\ngood score on the course. They must be able to handle all the
\nproblems they may encounter on the course during competition.
\nThen we will analyze their decisions,\" Teddy said.<\/p>\n
Each student pays Rp 300,000 (US$26.50) a month for the first
\nsix-month term, with the fee increasing to Rp 500,000 a month in
\nthe second term. The fee covers the cost of the coach, the green
\nfees, balls and video sessions.<\/p>\n
Parents are also encouraged to buy a set of clubs that are a
\nperfect match for the height and size of their children.<\/p>\n
The students are evaluated every three months based on their
\nperformance on the course, on the greens and driving the ball.<\/p>\n
\"The grade not only covers technical skills but also their
\ndiscipline, theory and attitude,\" Teddy said.<\/p>\n
Some students are also rotated to the Pangkalan Jati golf
\ncourse to avoid boredom.<\/p>\n
Due to the overwhelming response, Pondok Indah is coordinating
\nwith a number of other courses in Jakarta, including the Jakarta
\nGolf Club in Rawamangun, where 40 children are already waiting to
\nstart their lessons, and the Satelindo Golf Course in Sentul,
\nBogor.<\/p>\n
Teddy said the Jakarta chapter of PGI expected each golf
\ncourse to deduct the membership fees as a cross-subsidy for the
\njuniors.<\/p>\n
\"The main reason is to collect funds to finance junior
\ndevelopment programs and to send them to international
\ncompetitions abroad. Another consideration is the juniors are
\nexpected to become members of the courses when they grow up.\"<\/p>\n
As a test for the juniors, PGI will stage a national junior
\nchampionship at the Damai Indah golf course in Serpong,
\nTangerang, from July 10 to July 13. While the Pondok Indah golf
\ncourse will host the Proclamation Cup in early August.<\/p>\n
Other schools<\/p>\n
Besides the PGI's pilot project, there are other golf courses
\nthat offer schools for both children and adults.<\/p>\n
The Imperial Klub Golf Academy at Lippo Karawaci, Tangerang,
\noffers several programs, but golf manager Nyoman Sirna
\nrecommended beginners take individual lessons.<\/p>\n
\"Individual lessons are more intensive compared to a group
\nlesson and players can improve a lot faster. While a group lesson
\nis usually for employees who need a short-term course on golf
\ntechnique.\"<\/p>\n
Imperial offers introductory, intermediate and advanced
\nprograms, with each class consisting of between three and six
\nmembers. Each program comprises eight two-hour sessions. Imperial
\nalso has a playing school, which is a one-week eight-hour
\nprogram.<\/p>\n
Nyoman said Imperial planned to begin an academy for children,
\nwho would receive intensive training three times a week for two
\nhours each session.<\/p>\n
\"Ideally a child should start learning golf at the age of six.
\nWith 12 years of continuous study and training, he or she will be
\na good player at 18. Imperial is hoping to create such an
\nacademy, hopefully within the next two months.\"<\/p>\n
At the Imperial Klub Golf Academy -- where fees range from Rp
\n500,000 ($44) to Rp 1,500,000, except for individual lessons,
\nwhich cost Rp 80,000 per hour -- players learn basic golf
\ntechniques, from putting, chipping and pitching to the rules and
\netiquette to the game.<\/p>\n
The players put what they learn into practice on a nine-hole
\ncourse. Their swings are videotaped to allow students and
\ninstructors to evaluate the swings.<\/p>\n
Intermediate students go through a different program, focusing
\nmore on developing a game plan for a course, short-game analysis,
\nthe mental approach to the game and course management.<\/p>\n
\"They start learning how to manage their play on the course.
\nHow do you choose the right club if the ball is lying in deep
\nrough? When to use a wood and an iron. It's about controlling the
\nsituation,\" Nyoman said.<\/p>\n
While advanced students are taught to analyze their swing and
\nperformance.<\/p>\n
Imperial, which began its academy in 1996, also has a program
\ncalled Friday Junior Day, where golfers under the age of 17 can
\nplay the course for the special rate of Rp 95,000, which covers
\nthe 18-hole green fee, caddy fee, tax and insurance.<\/p>\n
Another academy, the CCA Golf Academy at the 18-hole Klub Golf
\nCengkareng Soewarna near the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport
\nin Tangerang, also offers a special program for children.<\/p>\n
\"We run the Junior Academy every Sunday from 9 a.m. until 10
\np.m. for only Rp 50,000. And if the children want we can arrange
\nprivate classes for them on weekdays,\" said academy coordinator
\nFitriati Arifah.<\/p>\n
\"The academy is for children under the age of 12. They can
\nstart learning golf at the age of three, but ideally it is
\nsuggested that children begin to learn golf at five when they are
\nbetter able to handle it.\"<\/p>\n
Two Australian instructors -- head golf pro Anthony Sinclair
\nand assistant golf pro Andrew Bowles -- are ready to provide both
\nregular and customized classes.<\/p>\n
And the classes are not only for children, but also for
\nadults.<\/p>\n
Classes cost between Rp 190,000 and Rp 690,000 for members and
\nbetween Rp 210,000 and Rp 690,000 for nonmembers, depending on
\nwhich class you choose and the instructor.<\/p>\n
CCA offers a 30-minute lesson that covers driving, chipping,
\npitching, putting and hitting out of bunkers. There are also one-
\nhour and two-hour lessons, which include a video session to
\nevaluate students' swings. The academy also offers group lessons,
\nranging in price from between Rp 300,000 and Rp 390,000 for two
\npeople and between Rp 440,000 and Rp 520,000 for six people, at
\nthe most.<\/p>\n
\"For the same number of people Sinclair offers a lower rate
\nbecause he only teaches for 45 minutes, while Bowles spends 60
\nminutes per group,\" said Fitriati.<\/p>\n
\"Bowles finds that 45 minutes is not enough to convey all of
\nhis knowledge and skills to the students.\"<\/p>\n
Fitriati said CCA also provided customized lessons to meet a
\nstudent's individual needs.<\/p>\n
\"Students can discuss what parts of their game need improving
\nbefore starting the lessons here with the instructors. Once the
\nprogram is agreed to, they can start their lessons.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/parents-dreaming-of-tiger-kids-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}