National Junior Development Program Hosts Local Winter Golf Camp

United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Over the past two weeks, the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) hosted a local Winter Golf Camp for the UAE National Junior Development Program. Using 5 different golf clubs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai both the ladies and boys’ programs were hard at work for their winter break. Using the proper CoVid-19 guidelines and protocol National Team Coaches Samir Wallani and April Varney had successful camps developing the players’ short game, putting, and pre-shot routines.

The lady’s squad worked out of Jumeriah Golf Estates, The Track Meydan, and wrapped things up at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club where they played a friendly match on Par 3 course. Reema Al Heloo won the 18 & Under Division, Sara Al Asad won the 15 & Under Division, and Latifa Al Jassmy won the 10 & Under Division.

Coach Samir took three days to travel to Yas Links in order to catch up with kids in Abu Dhabi. With the CoVid-19 situation allowing limited travel between the Emirates, this gave Coach Samir the opportunity to see the progress the kids have made. Over the past six months, the kids have been working with Coach Karl from Yas Links Abu Dhabi and Coach David from Abu Dhabi City Golf Club.

The boys’ squad in Dubai worked out of the Claude Harmon Performance Institute with Coach Jamie Mcconnell. They worked on all aspects of the golf but a major focus was the kids’ short game and putting.

The EGF is also utilizing Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting, and Golf Club to provide weekly lessons to the kids in that area. Coach Fraser and Coach Shane have been doing a fantastic job while continue to see more and more kids start to play golf in Al Ain.

As the situation with the CoVid-19 is always changing the EGF is looking to start introducing more competitions for these juniors in 2021. In the past 6 months, the kids had the chance to continue to train and play but the opportunity for competition has been very limited.

“Our winter camp was a success but just like everyone else in the world we are looking forward to 2021. Our coaches and players have been working hard during this pandemic and hopefully, we can see that hard work pay off soon. The EGF would like to thank all of the time and effort that the UAE golf clubs and academies have given the National Junior Development Program. During these tough times we used each other in order to keep playing golf and provide these kids a platform to continue to develop”, said Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi EGF Secretary General and National Team Manager.

Moving forward the players will continue to use local academies and competitions to continue to train. The EGF will always keep an eye on the international amateur golf circuit to see when things will open up.