Adapted Golf
PGA Catalunya – Sergio Garcia Heralds The Opening of His First Junior Academy
November 14, 2012 – PGA Catalunya Resort, near Barcelona, home to Spain’s number one golf course* and venue of two Spanish Opens, has officially opened its first Junior Golf Academy, in collaboration with Fundación Sergio Garcia.
The Sergio Garcia Junior Academy, the Spanish golfer’s first teaching centre, has been created to fulfil two key objectives; to find and coach the best young golfing talent of the future and introduce the sport to children with physical and learning disabilities through its ‘Golf Adapted’ programs.
The Spanish golf star was guest of honour at the official opening where he conducted an informal teaching session and played a three-hole exhibition match with schoolchildren and a group from Consorci Sant Gregori in nearby Girona, an organisation that helps children with special education needs.
Since 2002, Fundación Sergio Garcia has given more that 1,100 young people the opportunity to try golf and has also donated more than €1.2 million to associations and clubs to help fund ‘Golf Adapted’ programmes across Spain. These have been specifically designed for physically and mentally handicapped children, and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Talking at the official opening and explaining the purpose of the Academy and its links with his Foundation, Sergio Garcia commented: “I’m very proud of this coaching initiative with PGA Catalunya Resort. For me, this is a dream come true. PGA Catalunya is a great complex, recognised throughout Europe, and it offers superb facilities on which to host an ambitious project such as this.”
In keeping with Sergio’s important charitable work, PGA Catalunya Resort has also committed to making a donation to the Sergio Garcia Foundation from revenues generated from the new Junior Academy.
Julio Delgado, CEO of PGA Catalunya Resort, said: “Sergio is very passionate about giving youngsters from all walks of life, and of different abilities, the opportunity to try golf – this facility at PGA Catalunya Resort gives them that chance. We also hope it will act as a centre of excellence that will help develop and nurture exceptional golfing talent of the future.”
The Sergio Garcia Junior Academy will use the globally recognised TPI teaching programme that allows youngsters to develop age-appropriate skills and drills that maximise their full athletic potential, not just the golf swing. The courses are available in three age categories: 6-9 years, 9-12 years and 12+ years.
* As voted by top100golfcourses.co.uk.
More information at www.pgacatalunya.com.
