Historically, Ulster has produced top-class players in the field of golf and in some cases, even world-class. The recent achievements by players such as Rory McIlroy, Stephanie Meadows, Graeme McDowell, Paula Grant, Alan Dunbar and the Maguire twins have unquestionably raised the profile of Ulster golf and in turn created a surge of momentum. The importance of this momentum should not be taken for granted or overlooked. Rather, it must be sustained. Utilised correctly it should be the springboard from which future successes are launched.
If we wish for our golfers to consistently perform at a level that will result in interprovincial titles, national caps and indeed competing on a world stage, then we require an aligned and systematic approach to developing and nurturing our most talented players.
The methodology must be reflective of the prerequisites for success in the modern game, while considering the speed at which it evolves. Today's world-class male and female golfers are "athletes"- professional people surrounded by professional teams with professional outlooks, and following the world's "best practice" to stay one step ahead of the competition.
The objective is to present our girls and boys with new and exciting opportunities; to place them in the best learning environments with the best coaches and the best service providers, and to ensure the best competitive cultures. From this we can provide measurable, accountable and transparent feedback and guidance that will
underpin the nature of the individual's personal road map for developmental improvement and success.
THE GUI AND ILGU ULSTER HIGH PERFORMANCE PROGRAMME Essentially this programme focuses on underpinning the technical and practical golf services provided by the personal, regional or provincial coaches. This is made available at two distinct levels. The high performance panels of boys and girls receive the full suite of service provision at the Sports Institute of Northern Ireland (SINI), while the junior development panels avail of the services delivered at UUJ by a team of physiotherapists and strength and conditioning coaches. Other service agents such as Trackman and Sam Lab consultants are used alongside nutritionists, psychologists and lifestyle planners whom they see on a periodic basis.
The long-standing relationships held with Sport NI, UUJ, SINI and the PGA are vital to the strength and depth of the high performance support programmes. Part of the success behind the programme is the support given by the personal coach of the players involved. Their time is invested free of charge and is invaluable to the continuity and clarity of the high level of information being communicated by the service providers to the personal and high performance coaches.
Pictured are the high performance girls and boys form the Ulster set-up attending a joint initiative run at the Hilton Templepatrick in January 2014. This represents the top of the tree in relation to the level of service provision utilised by the players and their coaches. A day such as this requires the full range of services and world-class service providers that operate out of SINI. The list of areas covered include physiology, psychology, diet and nutrition, lifestyle and physiotherapy. One of the difficult hurdles faced is the buy-in and involvement of the player's personal coach. Coaches need to feel involved and communicated to while being supported with up-skilling educational opportunities.
Peter Hanna, PGA professional at Lurgan Golf Club, is currently coaching several high performance players representing their club, province and country. He reflects on the success and advancement in services and technology in high performance training in Ulster: "I'm sure some might think that being picked for the ILGU high performance training panel is a piece of cake, but I'm afraid that's not the case. All the girls have their own coach and fitness instructor with winter programmes that would keep top athletes in great shape. They attend the gym before school and in rain, hail or snow; nothing interferes with their training programme. Last Sunday was the perfect example of this.
The girls attended a training day (alongside their coaches) at the Hilton, Templepatrick and what a horrendous, wet day it was. The country's best fitness gurus were on hand to check and give advice on their hydration performance analysis, diet and nutrition, physiology and medical and psychology and lifestyle. They were even attached to heart monitors to see how that performed while they hit shots! For me, it was like being back at school".
Prior to this high performance level, players will be presented with a more applicable support or pre-hab initiative with UUJ. All of the service programmes are heavily funded, and as such require exceptional levels of commitment from all those involved.
Players are actively managed by the talent Id officer who liaises with the high performance managers of both the GUI and ILGU at national levels. These individuals are charged with devising individual performance and competition plans structured around the specific requirements of the player.
On average it takes between 8,000 and 10,000 hours of committed, structured holistic work programmes as well as concentrated high level play and practice for a promising young golfer to reach the point where they can perform and deliver on the senior/world stages. It's a long hard road and only those who are physically and mentally strong, coachable, tactically aware and capable of making the necessary sacrifices, will thrive and survive.
Training beats talent ... until talent trains.