The best thing about golf is that it is a game for everyone – and a game at which everyone can get better.
This is the philosophy underpinning the work of ProJAm, an organisation which, as our name suggests, embraces Professionals, Juniors and Amateurs.
Back in 2000, when Tiger Woods won the US Open by a staggering 15-shot margin, the then World No 1 wasted no time in saying that he would carry on working at his game; that he believed there was always room for improvement.
With this in mind, ProJAm has coined the phrase ‘Strive for 55’ by way of expanding golfing minds. In ProJAm’s view, all too many of today’s young players have been reared on the notion that a golfer has arrived when he starts shooting his first sub-par rounds.
Though ProJAm runs Winter Golf Skills Holidays for players of all ages and standards, there are specialist programmes for those taking aim on a professional career. “Going Live” is a course designed to identify the right time for a player to attend Qualifying School, while Tournament Golf College (TGC) offers a degree in tournament golf. TGC, which is based in Cornwall and Portugal, is aimed at school leavers who share our view that it is a good long-term decision to work on golf and studies in tandem instead of dropping out of education too soon. As Mark James, the former Ryder Cup captain and one of our key advisers, has said, “the professional tour is not going to go away while you take exams”.
Today’s professionals are in more need than ever before of a well-rounded education. They will be expected to interact with captains of industry; to entertain clients at company days; and to make telling use of press and television interviews by way of impressing potential sponsors.
The first crop of students graduated from TGC in June 2010. Some are gleaning experience on the Europro Tour, with which ProJAm has forged first-class links, while others have opted for a career in different spheres of the game.
At ProJAm, our highly-qualified staff pride themselves on helping everyone – from our beginners to our graduates – to focus on the right way ahead.
Neil Connolly – Director
