Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Peter Cowen Academy Junior Programme unearthing future stars

Gulf News headed to Jumeirah Golf Estates to get a taste of the Peter Cowen Academy Junior Programme.

We met up with Chris Snape, JGE Golf Professional and Junior Coordinator as week three of the programme was in full swing.

The JGE programme has attracted 154 students, aged between four and 17 who are allocated to groups, from for to six, all the way up to 12 and older, plus the Golf Course Group and Elite Programme.

As Snape explained: “We have established a six-tiered programme that can take the student from his or her first engagement with golf and their first lesson up to our elite golfers group, which includes those boasting handicaps from 7 down to +8 from Germany’s Chiara Noja, who currently lies 162nd in the R&A’s amateur rankings with a best of 133.

“There are three eight-week terms in the programme across the season and we now have the pyramid to accommodate all students of all standards with a mindset of having fun, trying the game and improving, so they can classified as golfers with the opportunity, with our facilities at Jumeirah Golf Estates and professional coaches, to take the game as far as the student desires. As Peter Cowen always tells us all, there is no substitute for hard work and you only get out of the game what you put in.”

An active group of youngsters was seen on the range getting to grips with the motor skills, balance and coordination, the basics behind the dynamics and science of the game, essential to master as the golfer advances up the pyramid of golf.

JGE offers group lessons, one-on-one lessons as well as the junior programme at the Peter Cowen Golf Academy.