Wan Hasnul Daniel during Round 1 of the Supra Cup Toyota Tour Tournament at The Mines Resort and Golf Club in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, on July 25, this year.
THE ongoing Toyota Tour has not only breathed new life into the professional golf scene within the nation but also aspires to promote grassroots development through the Toyota Tour Elite Junior programme.
This one-of-a-kind programme, executed with MST Golf Academy, will provide 12 carefully selected talents with comprehensive insights into the life of a professional golfer – ultimately offering them a clear vision for their future in this field.
“For this programme we want to teach them what professional golf is about. This is something that’s never been done before,” says Toyota Tour Elite Junior programme director Chris Marrs.
‘For this programme we want to teach them what professional golf is about,’ says Toyota Tour Elite Junior programme director Chris Marrs.
“To experience what a pro golf tour player goes through, these juniors will be taken through a holistic course that includes performance, technical aspects and tournament simulation training.
“We want to educate them on how to become a better golfer with better strategy, thinking and approach. That’s our main focus.”
With more than two decades’ experience heading junior development programmes, the seasoned South African coach was roped in to unearth the top junior talents in Malaysia.
The 44-year-old coach explains that the list candidates were provided by the Malaysian Golf Association.
“We have extracted their profiles from there as well as the tournament and scoring background, besides speaking to them.
“When all the criteria are met, the names are then given to the selected committee for a decision,” he says.
Marrs shares that all their players are aged between 14 and 18 years and come from different ethnicities and backgrounds.
Guiding these budding golfers to the professional path is an all-encompassing journey which is already underway. The training is divided into two parts.
“The first is the technical side whereby we teach them about shot shaping, trajectory control and swing paths.
“We also focus on their short game, teaching them how to strike and control the ball better,” Marrs says, noting that the second part of the training is performance-driven – that means refining the golfers’ shot selections, options, creativity, and finding their strengths and attacking instincts.
Tournament simulation and practising under pressure is part of the learning curve, and the golfers are put in the worst situations.
“We give them a target score, and the idea is to get them back to the clubhouse with shots in their hand.”
For some of these youths, turning professional is just around the corner, and expert guidance is needed.
Marrs and his well-oiled team – comprising three to four coaches, a physiotherapist, four fitness instructors, four equipment personnel and a tech team – are here to help.
“I have had a long career in playing, so the aim is to share our experiences with them and discuss their options.
“An 18-year-old golfer, for example, doesn’t have much time to decide on their future as they are finishing high school.
“They have several options to pursue golf college in America or attend a local college, turn professional, and combine both.
“Our programme is all about moulding and tweaking them to become better players,” he says.
To enhance the professional journey, these juniors are accompanied to tournaments.
Technical expertise, fitness training, physiotherapy, psychology classes complete with player management – these are all part of the full package.
The 12 players will train intensively for eight weeks and compete alongside professionals in Toyota Tour legs such as the Corolla Cup and Supra Cup, before the top golfers get the opportunity to feature at the season finale of Toyota Championship (ADT) in November.
For Toyota, it is an opportunity to create a groundbreaking moment where top local golfers are birthed and gives them a platform to play the game at the highest level at the ongoing Toyota Tour.
The results are already starting to tell, too. Within the first three weeks of joining, some of these golfers have already won in junior tours, while others have taken home runner-up spots.
Marrs shares some of the qualities that he is looking for in the junior golfers from now till the season finale in November.
“For instance, consider Wan Hasnul Daniel, who possesses great potential and character.
Adif Haikal who has a strong build, seen here with his supportive father.
“Adif Haikal has a strong build, and with that comes a powerful swing.
“Another one is Sohniya Chandra Mohan who has the complete package. She’s got game, focus, determination and manners.
“That’s every sponsors’ dream. These are among the qualities that we are looking to cultivate in these golfers.”
Marrs ends by listing his top five traits every junior golfer must have if they intend to turn professional.
“You have to adapt to the situation, possess inner confidence, have a good understanding, besides controlling your own destiny.
“Psychologically, you also must control ‘staying in the present’,” he says.
To enhance the professional journey, juniors like Aarthi Ganesan (pic) are accompanied to tournaments.
UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd president Datuk K. Ravindran emphasises that Toyota’s mission is to assist in nurturing the next generation of golfers in Malaysia.
“We are firm believers that Malaysia has immensely intelligent, talented youths and we want to empower them to achieve their goals.
“We are proud to be supporting and accelerating the next generation of Malaysian golfing champions as part of the Toyota Tour,” he says.
