Future European Tour stars are learning some valuable lessons as part of an extensive training camp being held at Amendoeira Golf Resort in Portugal.
Students aged 18-21 enrolled at Tournament Golf College (TGC) is in its 11th year and is a combination of academic studies and golf development with a variety of degrees available to study with a view to a career in the golf industry.
Aside from developing aspiring golf club managers or providing the knowledge and experience to forge a career elsewhere in the industry, TGC also presents a valuable opportunity for those with dreams of a playing career – as TGC graduate and Challenge Tour player, Ben Stow, will testify.
Stow is one of several graduates who has top-level tournament experience and Tyler Hogarty, Harry Konig – a winner on the MENA Tour last year and now a regular competitor on the European Tour – and Robbie Busher are among others to have followed a similar path to play Tour events.
As part of the group’s studies, the first 11 weeks from September are located at St Mellion in Cornwall, before the group heads for the Algarve for the second half of the programme. The 12-week training camp incorporates various intensive programmes and full use of Amendoeira’s two Championship courses – The Faldo and The O’Connor Jr – the floodlit par-three Academy course and its wide range of practice facilities.
And Alex Lindsay, head of college at TGC, believes it is the perfect training location. Lindsay said: “We have used other resorts in the past, but we are delighted we are now based at Amendoeira for our training programmes. It’s ideal for us with the range facilities, the combination of the par-three and short-game practice area, together with the quality of the courses. Aside from the golf, we also have classrooms on site as well as the accommodation and all the additional facilities we need.”
Tiago Francisco, director of golf at Amendoeira Golf Resort, said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome TGC to Amendoeira and a real privilege to see such young talent, both as players of real potential and for those who will go on to enjoy successful careers elsewhere in the golf industry. We are sure they will learn some vital skills with us.”