Former Wolves physio Paul Darby is giving 12 lucky young golfers the chance of a lifetime after launching a full-time golf academy in Stafford.

At the Performance Golf Academy at St Thomas’s Priory golf complex and Stafford College, budding golfers can develop their skills at the same time as achieving academic qualifications.

The project is the brainchild of Darby and former English Golf Union performance director Nigel Furniss, who have worked with many leading English golfers.

Read more in today’s Express & Star.

Former Wolves physio Paul Darby is giving 12 lucky young golfers the chance of a lifetime after launching a full-time golf academy in Stafford.

At the Performance Golf Academy at St Thomas’s Priory golf complex and Stafford College, budding golfers can develop their skills at the same time as achieving academic qualifications.

The project is the brainchild of Darby and former English Golf Union performance director Nigel Furniss, who have worked with many leading English golfers.

Students who enrol will be trained to develop their golfing skills to the highest level possible, equipping them with all the necessary tools for those who wish to pursue a possible career as a professional.

The new, innovative Performance Golf Academy Stafford starts this

September in partnership with the European Golf Performance Institute (EGPI), Stafford College and St Thomas’s Priory golf complex in Armitage near Rugeley.

Knowledge Students will receive world-class training and support through individually-tailored golf training programmes which will include technical, tactical, physiological, psychological, lifestyle planning and competitive aspects of the game, drawing on the vast knowledge and experience of the team at the EGPI.

As well as receiving a tailored golf coaching programme, students will study for two sporting qualifications to complement their sporting ability.

The BTEC National Diploma in Sport Performance and Excellence is the equivalent of three A-levels and a route to university or employment.

“We’ve already had success with a similar academy in Derby and we’re looking for 12 16 to 18-year-olds to start in September,” said Darby, who was at Wolves from 1986-94.

“For those mums and dads concerned that their children are just playing golf, this programme satisfies their educational needs, too.

“Ideally, we want to find one or two Tour players, but for those students who come through the academy who maybe don’t go on to play golf professionally, they can become greenkeepers or go into leisure management or restaurant management.”

Darby’s academy in Derby has attracted more than 30 applicants.

“Myself and the team have delivered this programme for a number of years at world-class level,” he added.

The golf training and development programme in Stafford will provide students with specific experience in the sport, including individual and group coaching, structured training, practice and competition opportunities.

It will have access to first-class facilities at nearby St Thomas’s, including an 18-hole course, short-game area, driving range and fully-equipped golf training academy and gym, and will benefit from the

expertise and specific golf training delivered by the team at the EGPI, which is based at St Thomas’s.

Along with Darby, who is a European Tour golf conditioning coach, students can benefit from tutelage from the EGPI team including PGA Master

professional, former European Tour player and England national coach Keith Williams, golf psychologist Chris Miller, technical coach Michael Beaumont and ex-EGU performance director Furniss.

Furniss has worked extensively with leading English golfers, focusing on improving performance and achieving players’ goals.

He said: “This is a most exciting and fantastic opportunity for any young golfer with aspirations to take their game to the highest level and pursue a career in golf.

“To be able to work with such a high-calibre team of coaches with a successful track record is unique in Staffordshire.”

Anyone interested should have four GCSEs and call Nigel Furniss on 07871 260430 or visit the website, www.egpi.eu or e-mail Nigel@egpi.eu

By Tim Nash