From the Founder’s Desk

 
I was honoured to officially receive PGA Master Professional Status at the PGA of South Africa Awards Ceremony on Monday evening. In my speech, I dedicated the award to my parents, who empowered me with the courage and curiosity to explore the world and find my passion. It was extra special, as the awards ceremony fell on my late father’s 80th birthday. He introduced me to golf and from day 1 taught me the manner in which it should be played. He also encouraged me to enter golf as a career, for which I’ll be forever grateful. See other highlights for BSI from the awards evening below.
 
 

BSI Tournament Results

 
Achievements worth bragging about

Congratulations to Mark Fairley, who won our Premier medal last week with a score of 69 on the West Course at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington GC. A personal best was achieved by Cameron Heyes with 72.

In our Junior Academy section, Bernard Meyer won the BSI Junior Medal with a score of 71 on the West Course at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington GC. Stacey-Lee van Gent posted a personal best with 86.

In our Global Medal, Junior Academy student, Michael Wallace won with a round of 74 at Royal Harare GC in Zimbabwe. The Global Medal is played amongst the BSI students who are not able to return to South Africa at the moment and are following a remote training and learning programme.
   
Mark Fairley Bernard Meyer
 

Club Champions

 
Ryan and Michael took home the winning trophies

Congratulations to Ryan Estment and Michael Wallace, who won the Club Championships at their respective home clubs at the weekend. Ryan won at The River Club with scores of 73, 68, defending the title he won last year. Michael won at Royal Harare in Zimbabwe with scores of 77,71. Michael is the youngest winner of the event in the club’s 122-year history, with famous previous winners including Mark McNulty.
   
Ryan Estment Michael Wallace
   

PGA Awards Dinner

 
Sharing a passion for the game

BSI was well represented at the PGA Awards Dinner on Monday evening. PGA Diploma graduates, Rikus Hattingh, Franco Putter and Sean Coomer received their certificates as Full Class A Members of the PGA of South Africa. After graduating from BSI, the alumni need to complete 1000 hours of industry work, prove playing ability in tournament play and pass a teaching ability test in order to earn their full membership.
 
Rikus, Franco, Michael and Sean
 
BSI Coach, Martin Briede also received PGA Master Professional status, as well as collecting the PGA Coach of the Year Award voted for by the PGA membership. Congratulations Martin, we’re privileged to have you on the coaching staff.

Spending the evening amongst the cream of South Africa’s golf industry, it was another reminder of what a fantastic career a PGA Professional can follow in so many different avenues within the industry. Many successes were celebrated across playing, coaching, club management, retailing and wholesale, and the passion for the game of a lifetime was in abundance. I can highly recommend it for anyone who wants to follow their own passion.
 

What do our Students Say?

 
Focused support, focused performance

Last week we showed you some of our PGA Diploma students taking about the programme and life as a BSI student. This week we hear from some of our Cambridge Study Centre students on their experience, the support they receive and what it does for their sports performance. The video features a mix of our golf and football players.
Contact info@bsisports.com to apply for either our golf or football academy, or if you play another sport and want to make use of our flexible education to allow more time to train and compete. Limited spaces available for January 2021 enrolment.
 

Performance Tip

 
Lessons from Augusta

It was a hugely impressive performance from Dustin Johnson to claim the US Masters last Sunday and cement his place as world number 1. Here are five lessons we can learn;

1. Even though he is a prolific winner on the PGA Tour, Johnson has had his fair share of heartbreak at the majors. He shot 82 when leading the US Open after 54 holes the year Graeme McDowell won. He had a short putt to win another US Open and 3-putted, gifting the title to Jordan Spieth. He led the PGA Championship playing the last one year and was penalised for grounding his club in an area that didn’t look like a bunker.

The lesson is that sometimes you have to lose in order to learn how to win. Young players and parents must be mindful of this when adversity strikes.

2. Johnson keeps his emotions on an even keel whilst he is competing. This is the optimum way to play as it allows him to stay in the present. His interview afterwards showed how much it means to him, but he doesn’t let that affect him negatively.

3. Johnson plays his own game, and plays to his strengths. He likes to fade the ball almost exclusively rather than trying to shape shots to suit the hole. This also simplifies his practice regime. He has also worked extremely hard on improving his wedge play so that he can take advantage of his length off the tee.

4. He is a superb natural athlete, but still works very hard in the gym to maintain his flexibility and range of motion. Talent doesn’t win on its own. Success is the accumulation of our daily habits and choices.

5. Please don’t try to emulate his wrist action at the top of his backswing. It is a subconscious move that he never worked to achieve. It works for him, but shouldn’t be copied despite what some coaches may tell you.
 
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