Latest News

25th June

UPDATE ON TSA STUDENTS AND CLIENTS!!!

Season Starts Well at the Sports Academy

The golfing season has got off to a flying start at the sports academy, with several success stories already emerging. 21 year old then Amateur, James Watts one of our elite players from Hertfordshire has won The Euro Pro Tour Qualifying School. James shot a brilliant six under par 65 in the last round to win the 2010 PGA event, held at Frilford Heath in Oxfordshire. This great final round allowed him to capture the victory by one stroke at ten under. Congratulations to James for this superb result and of course on turning Pro, an apt reward for his hard work and dedication.

Jeff Hopkins - From 7 handicap to Irish International player, in two and half years!

Jeff Hopkins is a strapping 6 foot 2 inch Dubliner only took up the game seriously when he was 14 and he took to it like a natural, plummeting from 7-handicap to scratch in the space of just two years. With the blessing of his parents, Hopkins left Skerries Community College when he was 15 and completed a two-year course in golf at The Sports Academy (TSA), England.

Now he’s playing off plus one (soon to be plus two after his heroics on the first day at the Irish Amateur Cahmpionships) and has been selected to as part of the Irish team to compete in the European Boys Championships.

"Jeff always gives a 100 percent to his golf and he would do extra work out of Academy time", says MD of TSA Stuart Fomes, "if you work hard, listen to our coaches and staff, you really can achieve your goals" Stuart added. Throught the two years at TSA Jeff would put himself through the pain barrier in all areas of the golf game, hitting the gym everyday, many times twice a day during the off season.

The Sports Academy programme has worked perfectly for Jeff, he was able to develop and combine top class golf instruction and the intensity of regular competition whilst study for a National B-Tec general sports education.

"The programme is designed to support you in realising your golfing potential, and enabling you to discover where your own desires and dedication will take you. Our committed and experienced staff will help you achieve those goals, and will offer you guidance and support on a daily basis. Our desire is that you succeed at The Sports Academy and that you leave us having substantially improved your golf game and expanded your future opportunities." explains Stuart.

Jeff spent all winter at the newly launched TSA Spain Academy, based at Alhaurin Golf Club, 10 miles outside Malaga. This gave Jeff an opportunity to practise in a warmer weather climate and help him continue his progress.

"The dream is now to win my tour card and join my hero Rory McIlroy on the European circuit". Says Jeff..

And what a story that would be!

2nd Year student Charlie Haggar has been practising and playing on the course at every opportunity, as a result of his phenomenal hard work his handicap has been dropping rapidly. Charlie Joined the academy playing off 12 and is now currently off 2. By utilising the academies excellent facilities and identifying specific goals with the help of our highly qualified staff, Charlie has made great strides. With this continued support and application, it will come as no surprise if Charlie is playing off scratch by the end of the season.

Ben Herbert Current 1st year student from Clacton joined the academy and in his short time with us has improved his already impressive handicap to +3.5. Ben currently represents England Boys and has attended various England meets over the winter period. With several prestigious events looming this is a very important time for Ben and his focus and drive have been first class. Even though still only 18 years old we look forward to following Ben in the Sir Henry Cooper, Carris Trophy, Brabazon Trophy and the British Boy’s in Scotland.

Another one of our Elite players Gavin Samuels is playing the amateur golf season (England events). On joining the academy Gavin was playing off 1, now a +3 handicapper we can safely say that Gavin knows his way around the course. To date Gavin has had some very good finishes, placing 13th at the Hampshire Salver and 25th in the Lytham Trophy, he has also qualified for the Brabazon Final later on in the season. Most recently he won his County Championship, in his 2nd round he equalled a course record 67 a stunning 5 under par. With Gavin now 19 years old he still has time on his side, we have high hopes for him and are delighted to be able to keep helping him mature into an excellent golfer.

TSA will have three boys representing Essex, Lewis Adair, Ben Herbert, and Oliver Polland, of the 8 boy team and Adam Woodhead will be representing Suffolk in the South East Championships, which takes place at Moore Park, Hertfordshire, good luck boys!!

Richard O’Donovan is one of our very talented Irish players, of which we have several at the Academy. Now an elite student he has had a very good season so far. He had a top 12 finish in the East of Ireland Championship, finished 9th in the Welsh Youth’s and this was topped by winning the Leinster Youth Championships. After these excellent results and also cutting his handicap to +1 this boy is certainly getting some attention. If Richard keeps performing like this then it is going to put him in the limelight for national selection.

Dani Anderson 19, from Southend – On – Sea, is one of our female golfers and she is working extremely hard to ensure her season goes according to plan. Already this season she has won the Faldo Series Qualifier at Hollinwell, coming in a clear four shots better than her 2nd placed opponent, Dani is now a solid 3 handicap golfer who started at TSA playing of 9.

14th June

There are places still available to join TSA on all of its programmes call 01621 -862 432 to find out more

4th Jan 10

TSA launch degree - Considering a US Scholarship? Then consider this!

Traditionally at this time of year, many young golfers are considering a US golf scholarship as the best way to continue their golfing and academic education. There has never been a creditable alternative – until now!

The Sports Academy already runs golf and education packages for those under eighteen, lately being able to offer the excellent Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) scheme, backed by England Golf. Now, having teamed up with a leading UK University, we can offer a truly exceptional alternative to travelling to America. If you want to study for a degree, still maintain your club, county or international places and undertake a highly structured golf programme then you will be able to do this at our warm weather training venue in Spain and then in the UK.

High level coaching is extremely important in developing young talent. You may be amazed to know that often US Universities don’t even have a golf coach!

We are different. Our programme will include regular coaching from a team of five experts with European Tour coaching experience. You will have a specialist
swing, putting, short game and mental coach and a statistical performance analyst too. It is well worth you checking exactly what will be available at your American alternative in comparison.

You may still be thinking about the education package and quite rightly. You want your child to have a fall back should their golf not progress.

We will be able to offer a wide range of subjects, including foundation degrees. These qualifications can be gained over a time to suit the student over any period up to 6 years, allowing a better balance between academic and golfing work. Should you prefer the regular 3 year route then that option remains available as well. Perhaps the best part of this scheme is that it will be available to all, regardless of previous qualifications. There will be no specific ‘A’ level requirements or SATS score to enrol in this course.

What about the price? We believe that you will find our alternative to be cheaper that the average cost of a travelling to the US. In addition, as a UK based course, you may be eligible for student loans or grants.

I hope by reading the above you can now see that there is a creditable alternative. Whether you think that better coaching, less travel, maintaining team memberships and a wide range of subjects without time or qualification constraints shows our product is a better choice? That decision will be up to you.

This opportunity is open to 18-21 year olds.


The Sports Academy also runs the following programmes:


AASE – England Golf backed programme for students with 5 GCSE’s and a handicap below 5.

BTEC National certificate in sport programme – Education and golf package without set entry requirements.

GOLF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME – Non education programme focused on all elements of golf

WINTER TRAINING – A six month winter programme in Spain for top class amateurs or developing professionals.


For further details of all these programmes, please contact Barry Lakin at

barry@thesportsacademy.org

Or call 0845 4533970.

23-9-2009

Damian Taylor joins TSA coaching Staff for 2009-2010

1-10-10

Phil Kenyon joins coaching staff for 2009-2010

Harold Swash Putting is pleased to announce that it is the official putting coach to The Sports Academy. Director of Instruction Phillip Kenyon has agreed to provide specialist putting instruction to the pupils of The Sports Academy as part of their academy programme based at 5 Lakes Golf and Country Club in Essex.

Upon returning from his first trip to The Sports Acamemy Phil was very positive about what the programme offers to the young adults " I think what Stuart and Barry are doing at the Sports Acadmey is fantatsic, there is a great group of kids who are getting some great information, support and guidance which is delivered in fantatsic environment at 5 Lakes Golf Resort, I can only see the Academy go form strength to stregth. If you are keen to learn more about golf or possibly looking to develop a career in golf, the Academy offers a nice springboard"