Young golfing enthusiasts will have the opportunity to learn the basic rudiments of the game when the MENA Golf Tour hosts on-site clinics on the sidelines of its events at different clubs in the region.
Open to all youngsters who want to start playing golf or, if they already play, to get better, the “Junior Star Clinics’ will feature instruction and exhibitions by leading MENA Golf Tour professionals.
With overall development of golf at the heart of the MENA Golf Tour’s mission, the clinics will place particular emphasis on core skills and game awareness while creating an environment that cultivates camaraderieand promotes healthy lifestyles.
“Let’s play golf together in a fun and exciting atmosphere is our message,” said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour. “We are pleased to have the support of all host clubs and hope the youngsters will revel in the whole experience while attending the clinics.
“We have to take the game to the grassroots level if we aim to produce champions in the future and for that to happen, it’s important that we channel our resources and energies in a professional manner,” he said.
“Introducing youngsters to the game is just one part of the game, the more important aspect of it is to try and retain them,” he said echoing the sentiments of Tiger Woods who has inspired a whole new generation of golfers.
“It’s a cool sport to play. Because when I came up, that wasn’t the case. Golf was for kids that were affluent, kids that were fat and out of shape and they weren’t athletes. But now the perception has changed and golf is an athletic sport,” the former world number one said during a Press conference at the 2006 Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
“And now to see kids with their swings and workout programmes and nutrition; it’s very neat. They are healthy.”
The MENA Golf Tour resumes with the Dubai Creek Open and the first clinic will be held at the site’s Driving Range after the first day’s play between 4pm and 5pm on 15th September.
Similar coaching skills workshop are planned for Al Badia Golf Club, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Ghala Valley in Oman and Al Ain Shooting, Equestrian and Golf Club when the tour travels there later this year.
An initiative of the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation, the MENA Golf Tour was created in 2011 with the aim of developing golf in the region. It is affiliated to R&A, the worldwide golf governing body based in the home of golf, St Andrews, and the Arab Golf Federation.
MENA Golf Tour http://menagolftour.com