GOLF HANDBOOK
WELCOME TO THE ST. PETER’S GOLF CENTRE
GOLF CENTRE
ST. PETER’S CAMBRIDGE N.Z
Here at the St. Peter’s Golf Centre, our coaching and range of programs are shaped by our ‘Golf for Sport, Golf for Business, Golf for Life’ ethos.
We believe golf holds a different meaning for each individual student, and are proud of the flexible programme options to suit any level of experience, with any golfing ambition.
Golf is a major sport here at St. Peter’s, we boast the biggest participant numbers of any sport in our School. Whilst the majority are simply exploring golf and learning the fundamentals of the game, we also have a good number of aspirational students, with a desire to forge careers as professional golfers via either the US College pathway or through the more direct path of various PGA Qualifying Schools.
On top of this, we offer some great community based programmes which include public driving range sessions, adult privates, school aged holiday programmes and more.
As Director of Golf and Head Coach, I am driven to provide a positive experience, striving to appropriately balance the key 5 areas of golf game development: mental, physical, technical, tactical and organisational. We treat each student as the individual they are and offer support specific to their needs.
I am extremely confident in our team of coaches and the incredible facilities on offer. This collaboration ensures we deliver the highest quality of training for your student.
We look forward to welcoming any new prospective students and their families to join us.
Simon Thomas Director of Golf
OUR TEAM
We take our coaching seriously, with three PGA coaches on staff working across our facility on a weekly basis. We also engage and utilise external PGA coaches, such as our Golf NZ National Coach, Jay Carter for specific elements to work with our aspirational students.
Simon
Thomas Head Coach and Director of Golf
Head Coach since 2006, and Director of Golf since 2012, Simon has been coaching and training future golf stars at the St. Peter’s Golf Academy for almost 20 years. NZPGA member since 1986, Simon is passionate about golf and inspiring our students and has successfully placed six students from the programme in to US Colleges on scholarships.
Achievements/Qualifications:
> Two-time NZPGA Club Professional Champion
> Multiple winner on NZPGA Pro-Am Circuit
> Personal coach of multiple Charles Tour winners
> Personal coach of 2023 NZ Open Winner, Mahal Pearce
> Twice-awarded Prime Ministers of New Zealand Coaching Scholarships
> Graduate of the High-Performance Sport New Zealand: Performance Coach Advance Programme
James Fellows-Ford Golf Coach
James joined the St. Peter’s Golf Centre in 2024 after working at Hamilton Golf Club and Tieke Golf Estate, one of the best golf clubs in the area.
Achievements/Qualifications:
> Second-stage NZPGA Trainee
> 2024 Trainee of the Year
> Waikato Representative Junior and Senior 20162021
> Winner of the Brian Perry Pro-Am
> Waiakto Winter and North Island Stroke Play Tournament Runner-up
> University of Waikato Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship Recipient
> Bachelor of Management Studies (Hons)Economics and Strategic Management
Scott Curtis Golf Coach
Scott has a love for all sport since an early age and has excelled in a range of sporting arenas. Golf became Scotts sole focus at age 19 when he began his NZPGA 3-year traineeship.
Achievements/Qualifications:
> BOP U15 Boys and U18 Girls Hockey Coach
> Tauranga Boys’ College Cricket Development Coach 2018, 2020-2023
> Tauranga Boys’ 1st XI Coach 2014
> Director of Golf - Tauranga Golf Club 2017-2018
> Assistant Pro - Te Puke Golf Club 2018-2019
> Head Coaching Pro - Te Puke Golf Club 20242025
> Blay of Plenty Junior Interprovincial Team Coach 2024
OUR FACILITIES
Here at the St. Peter’s Golf Centre, our primary focus is to ensure that each student is exposed to the game in a way that makes it enjoyable and engaging.
For students aspiring to a higher level of golf, we strive to develop successful golfers by providing a world class learning environment – our incredible facilities are a huge asset in making this happen.
Our driving range is fully netted 245 metre x 90 metre space with 25 bays, 15 of which are covered. The expansive range area has multiple target greens, trees and bunkering to create a more course like feel.
We have a large rye grass tee zone and a smaller bent grass couch grass tee zone, a dedicated fairway bunker and hitting mound complete the main range area.
The facility also has a large and spacious short game area, with a dedicated putting green and separate chipping green; we have recently added a wedge approach target course with six separate holes ranging from 70-120 metres.
For extreme weather we have an indoor simulator powered by a Foresight Sports GC Quad. To ensure the ball flight feedback is 100% accurate all our practice balls are all Titleist ProV1X.
Students also have access to training technology, including a new Garmin R50 approach launch monitor, a Flightscope Mevo +launch monitor, Capto EZ Putting System, Hack Motion 3D wrist sensor and Sam Putt Lab System.
We continue to add to and develop our Golf Centre facility to provide the best possible training and learning experience.
We are thrilled to call Tieke Golf Estate our home course. Our aspirational students play each Saturday afternoon at Tieke https://tiekegolf.co.nz/.
We transport the students to and from the course by school van with one of our PGA coaching staff walking with the groups. These Saturday golf sessions are used as both competitive rounds within our group and as coaching opportunities for the coach working with the group that day.
GOLF EQUIPMENT
Our preferred brand is Titleist. We are are lucky to have a great relationship with them to help support our developing golfers.
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
The Golf Academy coaching programmes are shaped by our ‘Golf for Sport, Golf for Business, Golf for Life’ ethos. Golf holds a different meaning for each individual student, which our flexible programme options cater for. All our golf studnets receive coaching directly from our experienced and highly skilled NZPGA Qualified Coaching Team.
Participate to Explore
> Learning how to move and hit
> Emphasis is on having a go and golf as a recreational activity.
A fun and relaxed introduction to golf aimed at beginners and/or students using golf as a secondary sport or leisure pastime.
Progress to Play
> Learning how to practice to play
> Emphasis is on becoming course ready.
Designed for the students looking to become course ready. Progress to play includes a mix of individual private sessions and weekly group coaching sessions, covering all aspects of technique and introduction to learn on course strategy and skill.
Prepare to Compete
> Learning how to play to compete
> Emphasis is on becoming competition ready.
For established golfer with foundation skills and desire to move their game to competitive level. Prepare to compete includes individual private sessions, speciality workshops and on course sessions at Tieke Golf Estate. The goal is to prepare for and engage in appropriate level competitive events.
Perform to Achieve
> Learning how to compete to perform
> Emphasis is on development of performance skills and habits.
A holistic programme for established and committed competitive players wanting to obtain a golf scholarship to a US College. Tailored development programme which includes Platform Sports Management premium support. Please note this is programme is by application only.
I would not have become who I am today without Simon. He always believed in me, sometimes even when I didn’t believe in myself. I wish the world had more people like Simon.
Ing Iadpluem (Graduated 2022) Thailand
PARTICIPATE TO EXPLORE
Who is it for?
> Beginner or those wanting to “have a go”
> Occasional social Golfer
> 2nd or 3rd sporting option
Emphasis
> Enjoyment – Connection to the game
> Socialisation – Connection to others
> Opportunity to explore golf
> Personal challenge and growth
Coaching Focus
> Build foundation movement and strike
> Basic understanding of key elements
> Relationship building
Commitment
> Golf their way - flexible
> Student-led
> Weekly session attendance
KEY ELEMENTS
PUTT CHIP PITCH
APPROACH
DRIVE
PROGRESS TO PLAY
Who is it for?
> Students with prior golf experience and some degree of foundation skills or highly motivated beginner
> For students looking to become “ready” to play on a golf course
Emphasis
> Growing competency and confidence to transition to the course
> Develop a love for the game
> Game like training
Coaching Focus
> Technical skill emphasis on critical areas
> Basic tactical and game strategy development
> Develop playing process and routines
> On course simulation and scenarios
> Skills testing
Commitment
> Desire to move from training to play
> Work towards obtaining and reducing an official Golf NZ Handicap
> Self-driven training outside of coaching sessions
DRIVE CRITICAL AREAS SHOTS INSIDE 100
PREPARE TO COMPETE
Who is it for?
> For an established golfer with proven foundation skills and the potential and desire to move their game to a competitive level.
Emphasis
> Becoming competition ready
> Development of game sense and selfmanagement
> Developing athletic potential (strength and speed)
> Develop world class habits
Coaching Focus
> Developing a robust skillset that will function in a competitive environment
> Balance development across the six performance pillars. PERFORMANCE PILLARS
Commitment
> Engage in competitive events appropriate to the development stage of the individual
> Consistent self-driven training “class of 10,000 mentality”
> Use and maintain training journal
> Maintain up to date playing stats
> Interact and engage with Coach Now training space
> Commit to training and playing with Saturday Golf group.
GENERAL COMMUNITY INFO
Driving Range
Sunday 11:00am - 4:00pm
GENERAL STUDENT INFO
Private Lessons
Private lessons are to be booked through Simon.
Abscences and Cancellations
Please contact Simon if your child is to be absent from any sort of lessons.
To opt out of Participate to explore or Progress to play, please notify Simon by the last week of term.
Prepare to complete is a full year commitment with no option of opt out due to the membership requirements.
Student Attire
Students are required to wear their PE gear and gym shoes.
Supervision
All sessions are coached with full supervision.
Equipment
We can supply all equipment needed. If your student has their own gear, there are lockers provided for our competitive levelled students. If your student has their own gear and is in other groups, they must take their gear home with them after sessions.
CONTACT US
St. Peter’s Golf Team
Email: golf@stpeters.school.nz
Phone: +64 27 479 8646
Coach Now App
For our Prepare to Compete students, we use the Coach Now app. This platform allows students to track their progress, coaches to provide resources, coaching tips and feedback that families can view.
Students who require this app for their training will be invited to join. This app is covered by course fees.
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St. Peter’s Cambridge - Golf Centre
