Jack Nicklaus Golf Academy Director of Education: I hope to see many young Vietnamese golfers on the international arena!'

Mr. Eugene Marais – Director of Training at Jack Nicklaus Golf Academy.

Can you introduce yourself a little?

My name is Eugene Marais, a PGA Pro from South Africa, I am a certified USKG Master Coach and one of the few TPI coaches in Vietnam. I have lived and worked in Hanoi for 6 years and my main focus has been on developing the game of golf, especially developing young golfers and expanding the game in Northern Vietnam. I have recently embarked on an exciting new journey with BRG Group to develop world class Nicklaus branded academies across Vietnam. As Academy Director, I am responsible for ensuring that all facilities provide top class instruction and the highest quality coaching.

What chance brought you to Vietnam?

In 2018, I was asked by the Ernie Els Group to take on the role of Performance Coach at the EPGA Academy in Ecopark.

At that time, I did not know much about golf in Vietnam, but after doing some research, I was impressed by the rapid growth of the sport here. I have always enjoyed traveling to Southeast Asia and hoped to work here one day. When I arrived in Vietnam, I was amazed by the quality of the golf facilities and the passion for the game. The warmth of the Vietnamese people and their culture made it easy for me to integrate. Little did I know that this would lead to a 6-year journey working in golf here.

Has your 10-year golf journey been full of challenges?

My journey has been a little different than most. I am always eager to take on new challenges and responsibilities to expand my experience in the industry. Over the past 10 years, I have focused on gaining as much knowledge as possible to become the best professional I can be.

At 23, I became a Head Professional at one of Egypt’s largest golf clubs, where I had the opportunity to teach national teams and tournament players across the country. From there, I moved on to become a Performance Coach at one of the top academies in Southeast Asia, EPGA. As my reputation grew, I was promoted to Senior Teaching Professional, where I ran the largest US Kid Golf program in Asia with over 200 junior golfers. These experiences led me to my current role as Director of Academies for BRG Group/Nicklaus Brand.

Each of these roles comes with its own challenges, but I think most expat coaches would agree that the first job abroad is the hardest. Adapting to a new country, language, food and culture takes time, but it’s all part of the process of growing and learning.

Is being named "Top 50 US Kids Golf Coaches in the World" a great achievement in your career?

I am honored to be recognized as a USKG Top 50 Coach in 2021 & 2022, and in 2023, I became the first South African to achieve the prestigious title of “Master Coach”. This achievement is a direct result of my passion for developing junior golf in Vietnam. The journey began in 2019 when I arrived at the EPGA and was surprised to see only about 15 junior golfers regularly training at the academy. Having been to Egypt, where I had over 100 junior golfers in my academy program, I was used to seeing more kids taking up the sport. Working closely with the coaching team and Greg from USKG, we developed a plan to introduce golf to more kids. By the end of 2021, we had over 200 junior golfers registered in the USKG program, making it the largest program in Asia at that time.

What brought you to the position of Director of Education at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Academy?

The Els Performance Golf Academy (EPGA) has been a huge help to my growth and the growth of the game, but I felt that what was needed was to get kids and adults to a real golf course where they could experience and learn the game. With the support of BRG Group, I have been given the freedom to develop Nicklaus Golf Academies across the country, using 9 golf courses in their portfolio. This opportunity really excited me, as I know that it is essential for golfers to get to the course early to learn how to “play” golf, rather than just “study” on the driving range all day. The combination of world-class teaching facilities and cutting-edge technology with championship golf courses creates a unique service that can only be found at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Academy. This level of service is unmatched anywhere else in Vietnam.

What is special about the US Kids Golf curriculum at Jack Nicklaus Academy?

What sets our Academy apart from others is the “Real Golf” experience. During my lessons, I have the flexibility to take young golfers out onto the course and teach them the essential course management skills. We recently built a unique 3 green, 6 tee box mini golf course at Legend Hill as a stepping stone to a full 18 hole golf course. This mini golf course provides an engaging way for everyone to learn, making the experience both educational and fun.

Does junior golf in Vietnam have much potential?

I have had the privilege of working with young talents like Anh Minh, Doan Uy, Gia Han and many others, witnessing them grow as golfers and individuals over the past 6 years. Junior golf in Vietnam continues to grow strongly each year, and the recent success of the national team and Anh Minh has demonstrated that with solid coaching, resilience and support from the country and its people, Vietnam is poised to become the next powerhouse in Asia. Vietnam will soon be able to compete with the likes of Korea, Thailand and Japan.

To pursue professional golf, how should families prepare?

First, it is important to get your child started playing in a group. Golf can be challenging at first, but having friends to practice and play with each week will keep them excited and motivated to improve.

Second, remember that hitting the ball hard isn’t everything. I often see parents instructing coaches to focus on hitting the ball long and straight before playing the short game, but this approach isn’t ideal. Many kids can impress on the practice range, but when they play around the green, they can struggle and lose confidence in their game.

Third, give your kids plenty of time on the course with their friends. I fell in love with golf when I walked the fairways with my friends and those are the memories that will stay with me forever. The Jack Nicklaus Academy provides exactly that – a place where kids can play together and create lasting memories.

Ultimately, it is important that the child enjoys golf and wants to continue learning. If they are not interested in playing or practicing, do not force them. Only those who are truly passionate and dedicated to the game can become professional golfers.

What are the Academy's future plans for young golfers?

My hopes for the future of junior golf in Vietnam are focused on creating a sustainable talent pipeline and increasing recognition of Vietnam as a top golf destination in Asia. I would love to see more junior golfers from Vietnam competing on the international stage, showcasing their skills and gaining recognition at major tournaments such as the PGA or LIV Golf.

For the academy, our goal is to continue to develop well-rounded young golfers by not only focusing on skills but also nurturing a passion for the game and ensuring they enjoy the learning process. In the future, I hope the academy will expand its programs to reach more kids across the country, providing quality coaching, competitive opportunities and access to top training facilities.

We also want to create an environment where they can build lifelong memories, develop their mental and physical strength as golfers. By providing them with the opportunity to play, compete and bond with their friends, we can help build a strong sense of community and passion for the sport.

Ultimately, our vision is to take junior golf in Vietnam to new heights, on par with countries like Korea, Japan and Thailand, becoming a powerhouse in Asian golf, training golfers ready to make their mark on the international stage.

PV

Source: https://tienphong.vn/giam-doc-dao-tao-hv-golf-jack-nicklaus-toi-mong-duoc-thay-nhieu-golfer-tre-viet-nam-tren-dau-truong-quoc-te-post1730894.tpo