Golf

The Program

The Como Golf Academy provides both a comprehensive academic and golf program of the highest quality. Conveniently located adjacent to the Collier Park Golf course, the Como Golf Academy is dedicated to producing golfers that are highly skilled and who possess a strong academic background.

For the students of the academy golf is the central option of study and is successfully incorporated into the student’s mainstream school program throughout their secondary education. This combination allows them to subsequently pursue either a rewarding golf career or careers in recreational or physical education studies at University level. At the same time the program is flexible enough to accommodate more generic career aspirations. All students who successfully complete the golf program will receive a national Certificate II in Sport – Golf Coaching as well as a Sports Medicine Accreditation, a Senior First Aid Certificate and accreditation in Golf Coaching in Level O and Level 1.

Furthermore Como Golf Academy students are trained to develop their physical and mental strengths to advance their competitive ability and course management skills. They develop understandings which equip them to actively participate in the global Golf and business communities.

THE FACILITIES

Students of the academy have the full use of the vast resources in the picturesque environment of the Collier Park Golf Course where a special par 3 hole has been recently re-designed for the use of the Como Academy. Our students also have access to the Collier Park driving range, practice bunkers and practice putting greens.

The academy members as students of Como Secondary College also have regular access to a state of the art gymnasium and fitness centre on the school grounds. The college makes a secure storage facility available to all golf students for the safe keeping of their equipment

 The People

The specially selected students of the academy are taught the theoretical and practical components as part of the regular school program, by Mrs Ros Fisher, who holds nationally recognized Australian Institute of Sport Golf Coaching qualifications. Mrs Fisher is also a qualified high school teacher with extensive domestic and international coaching and playing experience. In addition to her role at Como Secondary College she competes, coaches and manages golf teams at State level.

Como Secondary College engages the extensive expertise of the Collier Park Golf Professionals, to ensure the highest level of coaching professionalism in the State is available to our golf academy students. This comprehensive coaching team attends national and international coaching forums to continually improve the program and provide world’s best practice golf coaching to our students.

Students are also put through their paces by one of our ex-students who is currently a highly credentialed fitness instructor. All students work hard on their core strength, flexibility and cardio fitness, while also developing a good understanding of the importance of good nutrition.

An Elite Group

To date the academy has had a significant number of state and national representatives as well as State and World Champions amongst its ranks.
In its brief history the academy has won a number of state, national and international titles and in 2001 Como Secondary College was the home of the World Junior Golf Champion, Rick Kulacz. The academy continues to be the home of many state junior and senior representatives. Currently Hannah Green of Year 10 and Whitney Harvey of Year 12 are State Junior Team members. Whitney is also a Senior State Player and runner up in the 2010 State Championships. She has recently attended a National Golf Camp held in Victoria in the company of National Squad Members.

Past students of the Golf Academy are now members of the US and European tours who have either qualified or are about to qualify for PGA status. Two more recent students to achieve their Professional Status are Kristie Smith and Mat Jager. Kristie has spent a year on the European Tour and has begun this year’s campaign with a victory in the Pegasus New Zealand Open on the 20th of February 2011. Several ex-students are currently undergoing their PGA Traineeships. Other graduates have successfully embarked on careers in various golf related industries such as golf retail and green-keeping.

Selection to the academy is application and trial based. Prospective applicants should contact the Special Programs Coordinator at the college for more details. If interested, the application documentation attached should be forwarded with all the necessary documentation to the Special Programs Coordinator at the college.

Golf academy students’ privileges include free use of the Collier Park driving range, practice putting greens, practice bunkers, and a purpose built par three hole constructed and maintained by the City of South Perth for their exclusive use, as well as substantially reduced green fees for the scheduled weekly game at the 72 hole Collier Park Golf Course.

 The Specialist Golf Program is designed for students capable of self-discipline and respect for self, others and the environment, who are genuinely interested in sticking to a long-term program to become better golfers. This will require including regular golf practice and game play in the student’s weekly schedule. Students are expected to remain in the program until they successfully graduate from Como Secondary College in Year 12. Both the practical trial and golf club reference are used to assess playing ability and coachability. The golf club and school references, school report and behaviour at the trial will be used to assess self-discipline, ability to work co-operatively and behave appropriately.