Al Badia Golf Clubs Junior Development Program Graduation

Over 200 proud parents and family members gathered for the Junior Development Program Graduation recently at Al Badia Golf Club.

This marked the culmination of the 29 week program running from the winter season from September 2012 to May 2013. 

The successful Junior Development Program(JDP), now in its fourth year, is designed to develop the golfing skills of golfers aged 6 to 16 years, and covers every aspect of the game including putting, chipping, full swing, etiquette and rules, plus an on-course experience at the end of each term.  
The event was organised to recognise the achievements of all 180 junior participants on the program and reward some outstanding accomplishments.

Al Badia Golf Professional, Ed Chapman commented: “This year’s JDP has grown from last year in terms of participant level which we expect to see grow as the program goes from strength to strength. The program itself has evolved from last year with a change in how we show the students their improvement through what we call the “Personal Development System”, where the main focus is on each individual junior’s improvement rather than them comparing themselves against others.
“We have also adopted more from the “Long Term Athlete Development” research into the program, which helps us look for long term improvement in the juniors we coach over a number of years rather than taking each year separately. Next year will be even more along the lines of LTAD with all the groups divided by set age categories,  providing the best biological age split and allowing us to focus specific types of improvements at different phases of their development.”
The top honour of this year’s ‘Spirit Award’ went to Elizabeth Forshaw who takes away an annual Junior Membership for her achievements in the program.

Ed Chapman explains: “The Spirit Award is given to the golfer who has shown the most improvement through the year along with a dedication to the sport, great behaviour and attitude.  Elizabeth has been the epitome of all these characteristics. She has been dedicated to improving her golf by staying behind after sessions to practice in addition to after school practice. Her behaviour and attitude throughout the year has been impeccable and always encouraging towards her fellow golfers and has been a joy to coach.”