European Tour Performance Institute hoping to attract more casual golfers

Joy Chakravarty 11:17 02/09/2015
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  • Making an impact: Gregson-Walters.

    Mark Gregson-Walters, who recently took over as Director of Instruction at European Tour Performance Institute (ETPI) at Jumeirah Golf Estates, is hoping to attract more casual golfers to the world-class facility.

    Gregson-Walters, who has been in Dubai for 17 years during which he made a name for himself because of his innovative and 360 degree approach to golf coaching, has given up his successful business – MGW Golf Academy and Grass Roots Golf, which saw hundreds of young children taking up the sport in schools – and is excited about creating a similar impact at ETPI.

    — Emirates Golf Fed. (@EGFuaegolf) June 10, 2015

    “I am really looking forward to this. It’s been just three weeks since I took over, but this facility is so amazing, I have already several ideas in my head as to what I want to do. I need to slow down a bit and just start executing these one at a time,” said Gregson-Walters, who started his Dubai stint as Head Professional Coach at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club Golf Academy.

    Located on the other side of the Jumeirah Golf Estates’ practice range, the ETPI is one of the finest instructional facilities, offering dedicated practice space, qualified teaching and golf-related technology.

    It has a state-of-the-art gymnasium, bio-mechanic and swing studios, Scotty Cameron putting lab, interactive high performance video technology, dedicated short game holes, expansive practice fairway, contoured putting green, as well as club-fitting services.

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    Several European Tour players use the facilities during their visits to Dubai for tournament or practice and have been full of praise.

    Gregson-Walters is thankful for the patronage of the stars, but urges the regular club golfers not to be intimidated by the reputation of ETPI or the presence of the stars.

    “The ETPI is an amazing facility with cutting-edge technology with the best possible practice opportunities. We have the latest tools and technologies to help a golfer finetune and hone their game throughout the year,” said Gregson-Walters.

    “Obviously, because of what we have here, and because the DP World Tour Championship is held at Jumeriah Golf Estates, the ETPI is the facility many European Tour players also use.

    “That has given us a bit of an ‘elitist’ image, which is a shame. We have a lot to offer to the everyday golfer in the UAE and one of the things I want to do is get them to experience the ETPI and see for themselves the significant difference we can make to their game with the quality of our coaching and technology.

    “It’s not just for the Tour player but golfers who want help to play the game the way they enjoy.”

    Gregson-Walters said he is working on some new additions to the institute. He added: “We have some exciting things in the pipeline, but they are yet to be signed and we will announce it in the next few weeks. 

    “As of now, what I can reveal is that we will have dedicated personal trainers to develop and enhance overall health and fitness programmes. These trainers will be able to tailor golf-specific training packages according to individual physical capabilities.

    “We will also have on-site physiotherapists, working on injuries and prevention, as well as training to increase physical capabilities.”

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