With over 10 years of experience coaching golf for many students from professionals to amateurs, Mr. Eugene has contributed to creating many generations of talented young Vietnamese golfers.
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.
* 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 coach 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 ran the largest US Kid Golf program in Asia with over 200 young golfers. These experiences led me to my current role as Academy Director for BRG Group/Nicklaus Brand.
Each of these roles comes with its own challenges, 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 is all part of the process of growing and learning.
* What brought you to the position of Training Director of 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 excites me, as I know that it is essential for golfers to get to the course early to learn how to “play” golf instead of just “learning” it on the driving range all day. The combination of world- class teaching facilities and cutting-edge technology with championship golf courses at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Academy.
* Does junior golf in Vietnam have much potential?
I have had the privilege of working with young talents such as Anh Minh, Doan Uy, Gia Han and many others, witnessing them grow both as golfers and individuals over the past 6 years. Junior golf in Vietnam continues to grow strongly year after year, and the recent success of the national team and Anh Minh is testament to the solid coaching, resilience and support of the country and its people. Vietnam will soon be able to compete with the likes of Korea, Thailand and Japan.
* What are the Academy's plans for young golfers in the future?
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 friends, we can help build a strong sense of community and passion for the sport, taking Lai Viet Nam’s youth golf 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.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/giam-doc-hv-golf-jack-nicklaus-mong-nhieu-golfer-tre-viet-nam-vuon-tam-quoc-te-185250426155810385.htmhttps://thanhnien.vn/giam-doc-hv-golf-jack-nicklaus-mong-nhieu-golfer-tre-viet-nam-vuon-tam-quoc-te-185250426155810385.htm
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