Israel’s ‘Thank you’ for ‘Brilliant’ Input by Alliss and Hampf
Golf Development Programme visits by two PGA professionals, GARY ALLISS and JOHAN HAMPF, have been described as ‘a privilege’ and ‘of immeasurable benefit’, by the president of the PGA of Israel, Basil Katz.
PGA (of GB&I) tutor, Alliss and Swedish head of training Hampf, undertook their visits to the middle-east country in their role among the team of consultant/tutors who travel to those countries requesting such support from The R&A under the auspices of the joint-initiative with the PGAs of Europe.
Israeli president Katz’s comments were endorsed by Cyril Kaufman, chairman of the Golf Federation of Israel, who described the Golf Developments visits as ‘...the way for golf to go in our country’ with the hope that ‘it goes from strength to strength’.
He added that the way in which the two consultants had approached the PGAs education methods from ‘completely different directions’ was ‘brilliant’. “Gary Alliss gave us an insight into the importance of structured coaching, and filled in some missing detail in our knowledge. He focused on working together with us in coaching volunteer students and our own swings, thus ensuring that we understood his lectures,” he said. “He gave us an idea of what examinations were set for student professionals.
“Johan Hampf was present during actual adult teaching and of junior groups and one-on-one junior sessions. He worked with individual professionals on their swings... and was able to convey some of the direction in which teaching was going on the mental side.”
The Israeli PGA president added that ‘the most important’ aspect of Hampf’s stay was to make them aware of the need for a well organised education system with modern and tailor-made curriculums for golf instructors, coaches and leaders. He was now personally far better aware of ‘the path along which we should start travelling to gain recognition by the PGAs of Europe Education Committee.
Kaufman said of the Swedish consultant: “I was most impressed with his manner and with his knowledge of golf and in particular his comments and assessment regarding the running of the teaching facilities at our two academies. “I was particularly happy to have his input and ideas on the administration and make up of our amateur and professional bodies...”
The report and recommendations of Allis and Hampf, including a possible future programme of continuing visits, part-funded by surplus revenue from The R&A’s staging of the Open Championship, is being considered.
