Nico van Eeden – Head of Golf
Die Hoërskool Menlopark Gholf Akademie
What led you to becoming a PGA Professional?
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I played professionally on the Sunshine Tour and Mini- Tours in the US but always felt that I wanted to help others become better at playing the game we all love so dearly. |
How long have you been in your current position?
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4 years |
What does your job entail?
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The planning and implementation of all golf activities at Die Hoërskool Menlopark.
My Duties included the following: · Planning the schools golf development program. · Managing all league and tournament activities. · Running all day to day golf operations. · Writing and updating golf as a school subject syllabus. · Conducting classes for Grade 8 and Grade 9 Learners who chose golf as an additional subject. · Drawing up and grading of exam papers. · Working with the coaching staff in implementing improvement strategies for each learner. · Conducting lessons. · Planning of school golf tours and matches. · Engaging with parents regarding their children’s golfing progress. · Engaging with teachers regarding learner’s academic performance.
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Do you have any environmental or sustainability goals that you have met and would like to share?
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· Expand our program further by helping primary schools in our area.
· Maintaining and delivering a tour level experience to our learners. · In the long term I would like to develop golf into a school sport by establishing more centres located at schools and by doing so exposing more learners to the sport.
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Please give us a brief outline of the path you took to lead you to your current position | · Played professionally from 2005-2010
· Started coaching mid 2009. · Coached numerous players to national and international titles and positions. Worked extensively with Special Olympic golfers to create more opportunities for mentally handicapped golfers. · Die Hoërskool Menlopark approached me in late 2015 to start a school golf program with the main focus of developing golf into a school sport and by doing so creating the opportunity for more learners to play golf.
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Why do you feel that you would be a good candidate to win this award?
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It is my opinion that I am good candidate for this award based on the following facts:
· Our program has grown from 4 learners at the end of 2015 to a current 116 learners. · Our school entered 14 teams in the 2019 schools league. · Our program has delivered 11 players that have represented various provinces on different levels. · We have been blessed with players that have won national and international titles. · Our program has granted the opportunity for players who are mentally handicapped as well as players who come from previously disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to play golf. |