Parents dreaming of Tiger kids

By Novan Iman Santosa and Primastuti Handayani

JAKARTA (JP): Five-year-old Andhika sat stunned in front of the TV watching golf icon Tiger Woods make a final birdie putt on the 18th green at Augusta on April 10.

When Woods lifted his trophy -- making him the holder of all four Grand Slam titles, the Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship, the boy shouted to his mother: "Mom, I want to learn golf. I want to be like Tiger Woods."

The mother, Rima, was stunned to hear the boy's cry. How can she turn her son into Tiger Woods? Where can her son learn golf at such an early age? Luckily her husband, who plays golf, was told by some friends to contact golf courses that have their own golf academies.

Rima later took Andhika to a golf course and they saw some boys and girls lined at the driving range for a lesson.

"Finally, he can chase his dream," she said in relief.

The Pondok Indah Golf and Country Club is the perfect destination for parents whose children want to learn how to play golf. The course is home to a pilot project started by the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Golf Association (PGI) to train young golfers.

The chapter official in charge of athlete development, Jubilant Arda Harmidy, nicknamed Teddy, said the project began earlier this year.

"It's just a start. We thought we would start with only 10 to 15 children. Apparently the feedback is amazing and we had to scrutinize the children before admitting 61 of them," said Teddy, who is also the deputy of junior development at the Pondok Indah Golf Course.

"The idea to set up the academy was based on our envy of other countries, especially Thailand, where juniors can practice free of charge. We want to help juniors to be able to represent Indonesia in international events, as we did in the 1970s," said Teddy, himself a former junior player.

The children in the academy, ranging in age from six to 12, are divided into beginner A and B, intermediate A and B and advanced classes. They practice from Monday to Thursday, depending on which class they are placed in and the children's school activities. Each coach is responsible for four students every session.

In the beginner class, children are taught the basics of golf, including physical conditioning and theory. They will learn more technical skills in the intermediate class.

In the advanced class, students focus more on course management, shot choice and the mental approach to golf.

"In the advanced class, basically we teach them how to shoot a good score on the course. They must be able to handle all the problems they may encounter on the course during competition. Then we will analyze their decisions," Teddy said.

Each student pays Rp 300,000 (US$26.50) a month for the first six-month term, with the fee increasing to Rp 500,000 a month in the second term. The fee covers the cost of the coach, the green fees, balls and video sessions.

Parents are also encouraged to buy a set of clubs that are a perfect match for the height and size of their children.

The students are evaluated every three months based on their performance on the course, on the greens and driving the ball.

"The grade not only covers technical skills but also their discipline, theory and attitude," Teddy said.

Some students are also rotated to the Pangkalan Jati golf course to avoid boredom.

Due to the overwhelming response, Pondok Indah is coordinating with a number of other courses in Jakarta, including the Jakarta Golf Club in Rawamangun, where 40 children are already waiting to start their lessons, and the Satelindo Golf Course in Sentul, Bogor.

Teddy said the Jakarta chapter of PGI expected each golf course to deduct the membership fees as a cross-subsidy for the juniors.

"The main reason is to collect funds to finance junior development programs and to send them to international competitions abroad. Another consideration is the juniors are expected to become members of the courses when they grow up."

As a test for the juniors, PGI will stage a national junior championship at the Damai Indah golf course in Serpong, Tangerang, from July 10 to July 13. While the Pondok Indah golf course will host the Proclamation Cup in early August.

Other schools

Besides the PGI's pilot project, there are other golf courses that offer schools for both children and adults.

The Imperial Klub Golf Academy at Lippo Karawaci, Tangerang, offers several programs, but golf manager Nyoman Sirna recommended beginners take individual lessons.

"Individual lessons are more intensive compared to a group lesson and players can improve a lot faster. While a group lesson is usually for employees who need a short-term course on golf technique."

Imperial offers introductory, intermediate and advanced programs, with each class consisting of between three and six members. Each program comprises eight two-hour sessions. Imperial also has a playing school, which is a one-week eight-hour program.

Nyoman said Imperial planned to begin an academy for children, who would receive intensive training three times a week for two hours each session.

"Ideally a child should start learning golf at the age of six. With 12 years of continuous study and training, he or she will be a good player at 18. Imperial is hoping to create such an academy, hopefully within the next two months."

At the Imperial Klub Golf Academy -- where fees range from Rp 500,000 ($44) to Rp 1,500,000, except for individual lessons, which cost Rp 80,000 per hour -- players learn basic golf techniques, from putting, chipping and pitching to the rules and etiquette to the game.

The players put what they learn into practice on a nine-hole course. Their swings are videotaped to allow students and instructors to evaluate the swings.

Intermediate students go through a different program, focusing more on developing a game plan for a course, short-game analysis, the mental approach to the game and course management.

"They start learning how to manage their play on the course. How do you choose the right club if the ball is lying in deep rough? When to use a wood and an iron. It's about controlling the situation," Nyoman said.

While advanced students are taught to analyze their swing and performance.

Imperial, which began its academy in 1996, also has a program called Friday Junior Day, where golfers under the age of 17 can play the course for the special rate of Rp 95,000, which covers the 18-hole green fee, caddy fee, tax and insurance.

Another academy, the CCA Golf Academy at the 18-hole Klub Golf Cengkareng Soewarna near the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, also offers a special program for children.

"We run the Junior Academy every Sunday from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. for only Rp 50,000. And if the children want we can arrange private classes for them on weekdays," said academy coordinator Fitriati Arifah.

"The academy is for children under the age of 12. They can start learning golf at the age of three, but ideally it is suggested that children begin to learn golf at five when they are better able to handle it."

Two Australian instructors -- head golf pro Anthony Sinclair and assistant golf pro Andrew Bowles -- are ready to provide both regular and customized classes.

And the classes are not only for children, but also for adults.

Classes cost between Rp 190,000 and Rp 690,000 for members and between Rp 210,000 and Rp 690,000 for nonmembers, depending on which class you choose and the instructor.

CCA offers a 30-minute lesson that covers driving, chipping, pitching, putting and hitting out of bunkers. There are also one- hour and two-hour lessons, which include a video session to evaluate students' swings. The academy also offers group lessons, ranging in price from between Rp 300,000 and Rp 390,000 for two people and between Rp 440,000 and Rp 520,000 for six people, at the most.

"For the same number of people Sinclair offers a lower rate because he only teaches for 45 minutes, while Bowles spends 60 minutes per group," said Fitriati.

"Bowles finds that 45 minutes is not enough to convey all of his knowledge and skills to the students."

Fitriati said CCA also provided customized lessons to meet a student's individual needs.

"Students can discuss what parts of their game need improving before starting the lessons here with the instructors. Once the program is agreed to, they can start their lessons."