In a move that is set to change the complexion of golf in Malaysia, Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) and MST GOLF Academy have entered into an agreement for the setting up of the Peak Performance Academy, an institute of learning that has been designed to become the hub of excellence in instruction in Southeast Asia, and among the best in the world. It is also a blueprint aimed at nurturing and developing Malaysian players to make their mark on both the Asian and European Tours.
The signing of the agreement between Professional Golf of Malaysia and MST GOLF Academy, with a mandate to set up and operate the PGM Peak Performance Golf Academy in Kuala Lumpur, is the dawn of a new era in Malaysian golf. It is the start of an elite golf training academy in Southeast Asia that has as its ambitions to become among the best in the world.
The fundamental basis, upon which the academy was formed, focuses on providing the opportunity for the leading players in men’s golf in Malaysia to undertake the Peak Performance Development Program, designed to blood Malaysian players for both the Asian and European Tours. Also, it will serve to increase the talent pool of professional Tour players in the country and to make an impact on the international stage. Further to this, it will raise the standard and competitiveness of PGM tournaments and in turn, the overall stature of the PGM Tour within the region.
By far, the PGM Peak Performance Players Development Program is the most comprehensive and holistic training program – covering skills in all areas such as: Physical, Technical, Mental and Strategies, specifically crafted for Tour players to meet the demands of peak performance required in tournament play. It is a five-year program that consists of a total of seven terms, each six months in duration with three-month intermission breaks between programs. The Program has also been designed to tie in with the tournament calendar of the PGM Tour, as well as tracking performances in Asian Development Tour and Asian Tour events.
For starters, sixteen players, including PGM Tour players and up-and-coming amateurs, were selected to participate in the Programme. As such, over a period of five years, the Program will see more than 100 players go through Peak Performance training. In part, it will help prepare Malaysia for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games where golf will be re-introduced as an Olympic sport.
MST GOLF Academy, naturally, is delighted to be part of one of the most exciting projects to be unearthed in recent years in the local game and this was mentioned by the company’s Executive Director, Paul Gibbons. “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to be part of this initiative and support the PGM under Tun Ahmad Sarji’s leadership. “We have no doubt, that after studying the aims and objectives of the Program, that the plan and results that it aims to deliver on will offer players the opportunity to train with similar advantages as the world’s best players,” said Gibbons. The PGM Peak Performance Players Development Program is spearheaded by celebrated golf instructor Dean Hartman, a PGA of America member and established golf teaching pro from the United States.
Notably, the PGM Peak Performance Academy coaching staffs comprises experienced golf instructors and consultants with proven track records in various areas of skills expertise, including Technical Coaching, Mental & Emotional Coaching, Sports Nutrition, Physiotherapy, Fitness Training, Behavioral Optometrist, Equipment and Club Fitting, Motivation and Inspiration Speaking, Rules, PR Consultancy, and Program and Coaching Coordination. To this end, Gibbons added: “The players will also have the opportunity to learn under the guidance of Australia’s best and one of the world’s top golf gurus, Ian Trigg, who has himself, produced many star Tour players and champions.
“We also have multi-Tour winner and two-time Malaysian Open champion, Stewart Ginn, as part of our coaching staff. No doubt, he will provide a winning edge and professional insight from inside the ropes of life on Tour,” explained Gibbons. Tun Ahmad Sarji, who is chairman of the PGM, noted that the PGM Peak Performance Academy was set to become an integral part of the Malaysian golf industry. “The impact that this academy will have on Malaysian golf will be extremely huge,” he pointed out. “In fact, we believe that it will eventually embrace Southeast Asia as a whole, and put us squarely on the world map of golf. “In addition to bolstering the PGM Tour, the Peak Performance Academy will help Malaysia future champion golfers,” said Tun Ahmad Sarji.
The home of the PGM Academy is based at Kinrara Golf Club, where the facilities have been significantly upgraded including a new academy building with the latest teaching and training equipment, and short games area to accommodate the Program. In addition, Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club and Impian Golf & Country Club are PGM Academy extended training facilities. MST GOLF ventured into the golf academy as part of the company’s commitment to support and promote the development of golf.
With the establishment of the PGM Peak Performance Academy, MST GOLF Academy is managing and executing the country’s highest level of golf trainings for the best male golfers as well as for the best female golfers with the six-year Sime Darby LPGA Development Programme started in 2010. The MST GOLF Academy also has the most successful and largest Junior Player Development Program in the region; which continues to produce many junior world champions. As part of the service to all golfers, the academy has very comprehensive structured programs, from individual and group lessons to corporate clinics.
MST Golf Sdn Bhd is the largest retail chain and service provider to the golf industry in South East Asia with 53 stores across 4 markets; Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam, The company tagline is “Everything Golf” covering all aspects of the game; Retail, Wholesale, Academies, Events Management, Corporate Merchandising, Custom Fitting, Golf Vacations and loyalty card program with over 40,000 active members.
Please visit our websites www.mstgolf.com to better understand the extent of our business operations. For further information or enquiries please contact; Alan Lee, Marketing Communications +603 5566 8866 or email alan_lee@mstgolf.com
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