Jordan’s Need to Turn ‘Grains of Sand’ into ‘Grass Roots’
As the joint-initiative between The R&A and The PGAs of Europe has gathered pace during the last ten years, up to 30 countries have been included in the Golf Development Programme to create a foothold in areas where previously it would not have seemed possible.
The most recent example could well prove to be the unlikeliest success story of all, namely JORDAN. The Arab nation, though rich in tradition and culture, is associated more in western eyes with ‘grains of sand’ than ‘grass roots’ golfing schemes.
Jordan has had a Golf Federation for only 15 years. Very bravely they began with just one golf course, created on sand because no suitable grassy terrain was available. As yet no more courses have been added…. a shortage they would like to overcome.
Clearly if progress was to be made, and a road map for the future put in place, then help was needed. This the Federation acquired by contacting The R&A who, backed by income surpluses from The Open Championship account, took up the challenge under the auspices of the joint-initiative with The PGAs of Europe. As a result, Tony Bennett , The PGAs of Europe’s Director of Education, was recommended Sayed Cherif, an Egyptian born member of The PGA of Sweden who has visited Amman and its surrounds to help plan the way ahead.
On his return Sayed, who was to table a report to The R&A and The PGAs of Europe, observed to Working Together: “To improve golf in Jordan, and to get good national players, there has to be a green golf course. I mentioned this to the Golf Federation members and they are very interested to build one in Amman.
“Help could include teaching, coaching, building and funding the course. A great service could be provided in developing the game by maintaining the idea of sending professionals to help train the members and promote the game continuously.
“The juniors could be supported by modern golf clubs and sent them to camps in the green golf courses worldwide.” During his 9-day visit Sayed covered a great deal of ground in terms of coaching and teaching various age groups and categories, his first ‘shift’ each day being to play on the sand course with different groups from 7am to 9am.
Then came many hours on the range followed by help for children who arrived direct from school. “The kids were fresh and excited,” says the report. “They showed a lot of enthusiasm and were happy to meet a golf professional from Europe who invested a lot of effort in their training.”
Sayed Cherif’s Jordan Report will be studied and considered by The R&A with a view to a possible programme of aid with the long-term dream of Jordanian golf ‘going green.’
