School launches Golf Centre of Excellence

The School has now launched its Golf Centre of Excellence in partnership with Claude Harmon Performance Golf Academy in Dubai. With a mission to provide its students with a first-class education and golf coaching programme that holistically prepares them for collegiate and professional golf, the Centre aims to develop the best golfing students in the region, promoting golfing excellence alongside high academic achievement. 

Golfers enrolled in the Elite Golf Programme at the school benefit from a bespoke curriculum and personalised timetable built around the student’s individual needs, enhanced with academic mentoring and college CV and application planning and support. While studying the National Curriculum for England, students are exposed to a multitude of science, mathematics and English objectives that can be taught through the game of golf. Pastoral care and support are also provided to ensure students manage their schedules and maintain excellence in both their golf and education. 

At the same time, world-class golf coaching will be provided by Claude Harmon Performance Golf Academy, encompassing an individual golf development plan that includes one-on-one, group and on-course coaching, as well as fitness, strength, conditioning and mental training in state-of-the-art facilities. Midweek club membership and transportation between the school and the Els Club in Dubai Sports City will also be arranged. 

Matthew Tompkins, Principal said: “It was Gary Player who said, ‘The more I work and practice, the luckier I seem to get’. Being a golfer myself, I am acutely aware of the importance of practice and the impact it has on a person’s game. The partnership we have developed with Claude Harmon Performance Golf Academy presents a unique opportunity to develop great potential at a young age and maximise the chance for a young golfer to be successful. I am very excited about the prospect of working with the golfing superstars of tomorrow and supporting their journey.”

Golf coach Claude Harmon III said: “I think it’s an amazing opportunity for kids from GEMS FirstPoint School to get into a scholarship programme at my academy at the Els Club. We’ve had some really good success in the last three or four years with players that have started at a young age, which shows that it is possible to take up golf early and, if you take it seriously, go on to play College Golf in America. We’ve done a great job at developing junior players and we have a good idea of what it takes to get to the next level, so it’s exciting for kids in this region to have a viable roadmap to success.”

The Elite Golf Programme is currently open to GEMS FirstPoint School students aged 11-18 years. Scholarships for elite golfers are also available, with student applications reviewed and awarded by the school’s scholarship committee on an annual basis to ensure continuous excellence. 

For further details, click here