Whitgift school (Croydon) is celebrating one of it’s recent alumni qualifying for his first ever PGA Tour event. Former student Isaac Lam earned his place in the 120 man field at the Clearwater Bay Open, part of the PGA Tour’s China Series, after carding a round of 72 and winning a play off in Monday qualifying. This success follows that of another Old Whitgiftian, George Mullins, who won the Order of Merit on the Jamega Tour earlier this summer in just his first season as a professional.
Head of Golf Neil Kendrick explained he was delighted to see the school’s Golf Academy graduates doing so well: “Our aim is to deliver a national level academy programme in a school environment, providing the boys with the necessary support required to achieve their dreams of becoming professional athletes, whilst also getting a first-class education. So we are delighted to see the first two boys to have completed our programme doing so well”.
Benefiting from a dedicated team of expert coaches - including European Tour coach Hugh Marr and led by England Golf coach Matt Antell - the Golf Academy provides specialist support for talented boys in all areas of their game using Whitgift’s multi-million pound facilities. It forms part of a wider offering of golf at the school where pupils are introduced to the game and receive coaching as part of the curriculum from resident PGA professional Tim Trodd.
Three of Whitgift's current pupils have also been selected to represent Surrey in the Friendship Trophy, where they will be competing against regional teams from Spain, Germany and France in the annual event support by former Masters champion and European Ryder Cup player Jose Maria Olazabal. One of the players selected - Harry Plowman-Ollington - only began playing the game 4 years ago having been introduced to the sport through school. He has since reduced his handicap to scratch whilst also achieving 9 A*s in his GCSEs this summer. “The Golf Academy programme has helped me develop my abilities both on and off the course” said Plowman-Ollington, this years Surrey u18 match play champion.
Players and parents interested in finding out more about the Whitgift Golf Academy should contact Head of Golf Neil Kendrick - nmk@whitgift.co.uk.