WA PGA Championship winner Jack Wilson helped launch Playgolf WEEK yesterday at Kensington Primary School with an exclusive clinic for their year 6 and 7 students.
Playgolf WEEK is a national initiative run by Golf Australia and the State Bodies to drive participation in golf. 28 centres from around WA and nearly 300 nationwide will open their doors to the local community for Come & Try Days on Sunday 23 November.
With Playgolf WEEK fast approaching, Wilson was on hand to get the word out to media and the school students in his clinic ahead of his appearance this week at the ISPS Handa Perth International.
Wilson, who was recently dubbed as Australia’s next big thing by Adam Scott at last year’s Australian PGA Championships, grew up in Echuca in country Victoria, playing at Rich River Golf Course.
He started playing golf at age 11 where he attended similar junior clinics where he progressed into club competitions and the junior pennant so the program.
“It was great to get out to Kensington Primary and have some fun teaching the kids, up until this year I had been doing junior clinics throughout the year while completing my traineeship, so it was good to refresh the teaching skills.”
“Playgolf WEEK is a great initiative and it’s great to see golf in Primary schools.”
As part of the experience, Wilson brought along his good friend and caddy and for the week Troy Murphy, a professional from Pinjarra Golf Club.
“Troy and I have been mates for years, doing a traineeship together, and knowing the extensive amount of junior coaching and development he is currently coordinating at Pinjarra I knew it would be a huge benefit for the kids and teachers to have his expertise on board.”
As one of Australia’s hopefuls for the future, Wilson, 24, is hoping to emulate the feats of last year’s Champion Jin Jeong, who is also 24 and played much of his golf growing up in Victoria.
“I am feeling good ahead of this week, my results of late haven't been where I would have liked but I have a lot more tournament experience on my side now and I love being back in Australia.
“The course at Lake Karrinyup course is one out of the box, incredible condition and a pleasure to play.”
For more information on Playgolf WEEK, visit www.playgolf.com.au