College launches golfing apprenticeship; GOLF.

A TYNESIDE college has become the first academic institution in the North East to launch an apprenticeship scheme aimed at equipping talented teenagers with the skills required to become professional golfers, writes TIM TAYLOR. In a joint effort to uncover the next Tiger Woods, Gateshead College has honed in on Matfen Hall's facilities to offer a Golf Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence programme (AASE).

The initiative has been launched a few days after John Harrison, Matfen Hall's director of coaching, qualified to make his debut next year on the European Senior Tour by winning Final Qualifying in Portugal, shooting four sub-70 scores.

Students from Gateshead College's Golf Academy have already participated in a driving, chipping, pitching and putting skills master class under the expert eye of Harrison and Matfen teaching professional JJ Vallely. The apprenticeship, supported by the English Golf Union, is open to gifted young players aged 16 - 19, including those already at the college's Golf Academy, who demonstrate they have the potential for a career on the European Tour.

The AASE programme provides a two-year structured training and development course. The students will work towards an NVQ Level 3 Achieving Excellence in Sports Performance as well as a BTEC Certificate in Sport (Performance and Excellence).

They can take advantage of the college's training and conditioning facilities, as well as the facilities at Matfen's golf academy.

Gateshead will host their College Championship at Matfen in June where club professionals will run a pretournament clinic and play their home matches at the club next season.

Harrison, who will continue to write The Journal's Dr John golf advice column next season, despite his new tour commitments, said: "The programme is a fantastic opportunity for the next generation of young players.

"They can gain not only the professional but personal skills that will put them on the road to a career as a professional golfer and, who knows, we might find the next Tiger Woods."

Alan Snowdon, head of sport at Gateshead College, said: "We're very excited about the new partnership with Matfen Hall. There are plenty of opportunities for students enrolled at the Golf Academy, having the chance to compete in the Intercollegiate Golf Tour, which compromises of six regional tour events throughout the year." The English Golf Union's regional development officer Jason Budd, said: "This is a great initiative and will go a long way to fast tracking today's gifted young golfers into the professional ranks while laying down a strong foundation for future sporting talent."

To qualify, students need at least four GCSE grades C or above and a handicap of four or lower (male) and eight or lower (female). Once enrolled, they will learn about technical and tactical skills, fitness testing, sporting lifestyles, sporting psychology, nutrition and evaluation and analysis of sports performance. They will also receive an individual learning and training plan, access to sports nutritionists, individual coaching and entry into competitive leagues, competitions and trials among other benefits.

There are also opportunities for those keen to pursue a second study programme but who do not meet the exacting AASE criteria. This programme offers a more vocationalbased employment route to a career in golf. A recruitment evening for both courses will be held at the Golf Academy, based at the Academy for Sport at Gateshead International Stadium, on Monday (4.30pm - 6pm) with the courses starting on Monday December 7. For more information, visit www.gateshead.ac.uk or ring 0191 490 2246.