Bishops Gate Golf Academy Training Pays Off for a Host of Students
The 2016-17 academic year at Bishops Gate Golf Academy ( BGGA ) has come to a close as students head off to start their collegiate golf careers or to play in summer tournaments for the underclassmen . As sad as the end of the year can be , it ’ s a time to celebrate the amazing accomplishments of BGGA student-athletes .
Julian Perico was named the BGGA 2017 Player of the Year and it ’ s not hard to see why . Perico had a lot of success in South America this spring and has made a name for himself .
“ Julian ’ s results speak for themselves ,”
said BGGA Director of Golf Kevin Smeltz . “ He defended the South American Junior , almost qualified for the Masters at the Latin American Amateur , won a professional event in Peru and qualified for a team even in Japan . It ’ s incredible . He ’ s a great kid and loves golf . He just loves to play and has a great attitude .”
It was a year BGGA saw many achievements . Eightythree students graced the campus to receive golf instruction from the best coaches in junior golf on world-class facilities .
From those 83 students came 27 wins , 54 top-3 finishes and 135 top 10s .
The results come from the personalized and periodized training model used at BGGA . The system allows students to effectively and efficiently maximize their time in order to achieve the highest level of success .
At BGGA it isn ’ t all about lifting trophies . Improvements in a student ’ s game are also celebrated .
Thirteen students saw more than a five-shot improvement in their scoring average .
“ It ’ s not all about golf results ,”
said BGGA Master Coach Jonathan Yarwood .
“ A lot of students have improved in their character , their academics or certain aspects of their game .”
While BGGA could celebrate the improvements of every student in attendance , here are some achievements this spring that stood out from the crowd .
April was a good month for Chun Yan Leong as he recorded a win and a second place on the IJGT . Leong defeated his roommate Christian Tupamahu in a playoff to take the title at the Island Showcase . His second-place finish came at The King Classic .
“ Chun Yan has a great stature for golf ,” said Yarwood . “ To see him get into a playoff , shoot under par again versus shooting in the mid 80s when he came is a testament to what we ’ re doing .
The difference in Christian Tupamahu ’ s game was seen this spring . To come into Bishops Gate where his game was and to walk out with a second-place finish in a playoff at the IJGT Island Showcase is remarkable .
“ Christian was a 90s shooter when he came ,” said Yarwood . “ He ’ s really benefited from the different types of practice that make BGGA unique . To see him shoot 1 under par in a tournament to almost win it and lose in a playoff was absolutely incredible .”