AFRIYEA Golf Academy has recently brought on board over 100 pupils from three local schools in Fort Portal for golf clinics. The drills always take place at Toro Club, a facility that hosts the academy’s activities.
The schools benefiting from this current initiative include; Tooro Parents’ Education Centre, Glory to Glory Education Centre, and Green Circle Nursery and Primary School.
Other local schools that have benefited from such trainings in the recent past include; Mary and Joseph Nursery School, Banyatereza Golden Memorial Primary School, Buhinga Primary School, among others.
The children, aged between 4 and 12 years, are currently having their regular school routines alongside a weekly embedded golf program at the facility. This program provides a minimum of two hours of golf training conducted by the academy coaches.
This initiative blends practical golf sessions with theoretical lessons, aiming to assist children who aspire to pursue golf as a career, as well as those interested in related careers such as golf course management, greenkeeping, and leadership within the industry. The program also emphasizes essential life skills, environmental sustainability, and healthcare.
In just three weeks, AFRIYEA Golf Academy has delivered 666 contact hours to 111 budding golfers. By the end of the second term in August, the academy hopes to have provided a total of 2,664 contact hours.
Apio Anne, a 24-year-old teacher of the P.3 class at Glory to Glory Education Centre, which is a beneficiary of this initiative, has welcomed this ongoing program, noting that it sharpens the youngsters.
“Golf is a great sport for the children. Since our school embraced golf, the children have improved in many aspects both in and out of class. Their concentration, respect, and arithmetic skills have significantly improved. The game teaches transferable skills from the green to the classroom and vice versa,” Apio stated.
Local professional golfer Happy Robert is one of the facilitators of the program. He says that teaching children the game at such a young age is crucial for instilling discipline, confidence, and a lifelong love for the sport.
“When kids begin learning golf at an early age, it becomes a part of them. More importantly, it helps them identify their true career paths early, allowing them to focus their learning on their strengths,” he stated.
Isaiah Mwesige, the CEO of AFRIYEA Golf Academy, emphasized that this project offers a good platform for nurturing young talent and instilling a passion for golf among underserved communities, something that will later boost golf participation in the area.
“The school golf program is a wonderful opportunity for children who wouldn’t have had a chance to play golf. This is a major boost for the overall national golf development, feeding the national team with skilled players. Additionally, these school programs promote inclusion and life skills,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the academy is also set to host a holiday tournament for the youngsters, as they have done in the past, with participants engaging in various formats of golf. They will hold the 3rd Inter Schools Golf Championship, Parent & Kid Golf competition in August. The Annual Kids Connect Golf tournament will happen in December.
AFRIYEA is one of the leading golf academies in the country. They are dedicated to bringing the game of golf to children and enriching their lives through golf, education, life skills, and environmental sustainability. They have built a strong foundation upon experienced professionals and top amateurs who bring national and international expertise to provide an exceptional golfing experience.
