Mon Jun 4 2012Golf SA conduct golf clinics in the APY Lands (remote North West of South Australia)
In 2006, the SANFL embarked on a sports program on the APY Lands aimed at consolidating organised men’s and women’s sport -- softball for the women, football for the men. The Program now allows the communities the opportunity to experience different sports.
School attendance in the APY Lands is one of the major issues and the sports program is one of the activities assisting in this area.
On behalf of Golf SA, State Assistance Coach and PGA professional, Jamie Clutterham has ventured to the remote north west of South Australia, to the APY Lands, to conduct golf coaching clinics as part of the SANFL APY Lands Sports Program. Golf was the only sports activity delivered on this trip.
Jamie Clutterham’s travel diary (and attached photos tell the story)
‘APY Lands Golf Journey’
Day One (Tue 29 May) - 13 hours of travel, breakfast in Sydney, lunch at Ayers Rock and dinner at Marla, 1,100km north of Adelaide (400km south of Alice Springs).
Day Two (Wed 30 May) - This morning we set off for Fregon (home community of Hawthorn's Amos Frank) and had our first session at their local school. It was an amazing experience!
We started the session with about 12 kids, when word started to spread around the community. By the end of the 1.5hr session, 24 kids had arrived to have a go at golf and they absolutely loved it.
Apparently the best judge of the enjoyment of a sport in the APY Lands are the kids. If they don't like a sport they’ll lose interest very quickly, if they’re having fun and enjoying it, the crowd gathers.
By all reports, other sports only attract half a dozen or so kids, which is a long trip for those service providers. Therefore the response this morning from the locals, was very encouraging.
In the afternoon, we headed off to Mimili where we were on their local footy oval (dirt and rocks). We had about 14 start off at this session and finished with 22. Again the locals here told me this was a great credit to the sport and the kids here were shattered when we had to finish up. Both sessions had some short,
mid and long shots set up, however the long drive was the chosen shot for 99% of the time.
For these kids to have a go and see how much fun they had, was such a buzz and I look forward to our session tomorrow at Indulkana. This is the home town of the local Elder Alec who has helped us with equipment transport, he is coming along for a go at golf, so I look forward to this session.
Day Three (Thu 31 May) - Great day today. We went to Indulkana (1,200km northwest of Adelaide) and had 32 kids in two different sessions and another 13 community people turn up for a go! The Community Elder was there and had a hit which apparently is a great sign for all.
Back at the Rock tonight after another long drive today.
Day Four (Fri 1 June) - Fly Ayers Rock - Sydney - Adelaide (home).
All in all, it was a very successful trip in regards to participation and engagement of the kids in all three communities.
Golf SA in conjunction with the SANFL and the Office for Recreation and Sport is delighted to have participated in the APY Lands Sports Program. It looks forward to ongoing visits.
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In 2000, Grant accepted a position with Nike Inc. and created over 100 Nike Golf Learning Centers throughout the United States. His responsibility was to create and implement new programs and provide on-going training to over 400 golf teachers. This program became the largest and most effective player development program in America. In 2006, He started his own business in Los Angeles, California. The company specialized in high tech golf instruction using the latest bio-feedback learning systems. The company also provided custom equipment and repair. The company was sold in 2009. In 2010, Grant became the National Golf Team Coach in the countries of Bhutan and Nepal and is the designer of the highest golf course in the world located between Bhutan and Tibet. He now resides permanently in Australia. Fun facts:
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Grant Garrison began his career as a PGA Golf Professional in 1984 and won a dozen professional events throughout the following 6 years. He left his playing days behind to became a Golf Club Director and managed 2 exclusive country clubs in Southern California from 1990-2000. During this period, Grant was elected as a board member of the Professional Golf Association of America and managed several "Grow the game" projects.To read the new Golf Industry Central online magazine look below and click on it to enjoy it in full size.
