Golf

GOLF REPORT 2021

2020/21 was another tough season that ended with tough restrictions. The Golf Program focused on the holistic development of the athlete through skill development, athletic movement, performance, education curriculum, as well as competition strategy development.

The program was made up of 8 very talented athletes that had the opportunity to develop their game with access to extra coaching, basic swing fundamentals, education sessions, Zoom meetings during COVID, use of Flight Scope, sport specific training, learning how to practice with purpose and to give the coaches an opportunity to spot potential for a rise into the Jack Newton Junior Golf Development squad at the end of the season.

The IAS was well represented once again with three athletes making it onto the JNJG Development Squad - Andrew Brown, Ethan Harvey, and Sienna Clarke.

The sport specific training sessions involved coaching staff taking the athletes through a full range of skill and drills to improve their game and add value for the athletes. The skill components included course management,

PROGRAM STAFF

Luke Grinham Head Coach

Justin Clarke Assistant Coach

Aaron Keevers Assistant Coach

Tahnia Ravnjak Assistant Coach

Richard Harvey Manager

short game, long irons, short irons, shot shaping, trajectory control, fitness, swing analysis using technology. Theory sessions were conducted mostly at home via Zoom communication to allow the athletes to better utilize their time to the best of their ability rather than spending their time on the road to attend the sessions.

The squad regularly trained on Monday afternoons from 4:30pm – 6:30pm. These sessions involved both skill development training, educational sessions and maintained an emphasis on practical involvement based upon the principles gained through the theory sessions. A big thank you to all facilities who allowed us to conduct sessions - The Grange, Wollongong, and Kiama.

The 2021 Your Local Club Academy Games was a competition of four seasons, with the Illawarra Academy of Sport represented by Bella-Rose Pond and Thomas Eagleton. Saturday had tough, rainy conditions leading to delays and only 14 rounds able to be played. Sunday saw more favourable

conditions. Bella-Rose Pond finished 2nd in the Girls NETT.

The North Vs South Cup was held at Mt Broughton and Moss Vale from 29-30 May 2021. The IAS were represented by Sienna Clarke and Broc Callaghan, the team was narrowly defeated by the North Team, but a great experience was had by both athletes.

The Golf Squad enjoyed a trip to Bathurst where they were successful in winning the Academy Challenge for the second consecutive time. There were several great results at this event and a big thank you to Richard and Justin who travelled with the squad offering advice and assistance whenever requested from the Athletes.

The Golf Program had amazing achievements throughout the year with athletes competing all over the country.