Troia Resort in Portugal is set to welcome aspirational young golf talents from across Europe as the brand-new Edge Golf College prepares to swing into action.
Ranked as Portugal’s second-best course in 2020 by Golf World magazine, the Portuguese resort has partnered with Edge Golf College as the next generation of aspiring professional players embark on an intensive three-year programme in a bid to reach the elite level of the sport.
Written and developed by a selection of industry specialists, the carefully designed combination of higher-education curriculum, training time and tournament play will provide students with every opportunity to hone their skills in all areas of their game.
The course qualification offers a degree in Sports Business Management or Sports Coaching Performance, awarded by the University of Central Lancashire, which will also provide all the tools to pursue a career in the golf industry.
The schedule includes more than 45 hours of practice per week, with Troia’s state-of-the-art academy, newly designed driving range and several short game areas all available for use.
For the students, mastering the 18-hole Troia course will come in very handy for the commencement of the five-event Edge Golf Championships, with three being hosted at Troia and the winner gaining access to the 2022 Portugal Masters – a European Tour event.
With monthly World Amateur Golf Ranking events available and an abundance of internal competitions, developing the players’ ability to compete at their best under the pressure of a tournament will be made a key focus for the programme, which should provide vital experience on the path to becoming a fully-fledged professional.
Students will also have unlimited access to Troia’s championship course, designed by the legendary American golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Senior, with the par 72 course challenging players with a combination of natural obstacles and clever design.
Alexandre Barroso, director of golf at Troia, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to welcome the students at the Edge Golf College to Troia, and really believe that the environment and facilities that we have here are perfectly suited to developing the young players from talented amateurs into professional prospects.
“The design of our 18-hole course, with its narrow fairways and cleverly-positioned bunkers, will ensure that, even with all the training that the players can put in across our fantastic facilities, there will still be a daily challenge for them to continue to up their game.”
Neil Connolly, co-founder of Edge Golf College, said: “We launched Edge Golf College in the hope of protecting the best players that Europe has to offer at amateur level. I think many countries have become used to seeing their best talents disappear to take up scholarship offers in the US – now we can finally challenge that.
“With the endorsements we have received from the game at large, including The R&A, the European Tour, and the French, Dutch and Portuguese golf federations, I think everyone agrees that we should be doing more to protect our future stars of the sport and I believe Edge Golf College has a great chance of doing just that.”
There are three learning options available – remote, blended and residential – with a price point to suit every player’s budget.
Edge Golf College has attracted players from all across Europe, but a limited number of places are still available for the first course at Troia, which starts in September 2021.
Players interested in taking their game to the next level and pursuing their dream can register their interest on the contact page at www.edgegolfcollege.com.