Its been an awesome journey for the THSG so far working with some very talented young players over the past few years. We have been lucky enough to work with some high level elite amateurs and pro's playing at the highest level.
Our US College contingent includes players all across the UK and america playing in various leagues. Close to home Niall has been flying the THSG/ROWGC flag at Kirkwood college based in Cedar rapids in Iowa. Over the past 6 months Niall has introduced us to a fine young player called George Kalpakas who is in his first year at Kirkwood. George is originally based in Cyprus where he grew up and played the majority of his golf at his home course Aphrodite Hills. We have put together a program for George and taught him online via various teaching platforms. Our holistic approach to his improvement has allowed us to build in change to technique and given him the pillars in place to practice better and improve performance both on and off the course. Like Niall, George is a real pleasure to work with and is a real student of the game.
After a busy first year at Kirkwood George headed back home to Cyprus at the start of May, to prepare for a busy summer season playing various competitions at his home club. His major the Cypriot Amateur championships just so happened to be in his first week back home. Players from all over the world fly into play this championships which was held at Elea golf club close to Georges home town. This competition is steeped in history and ironically has never had a Cypriot winner. The tournament is recognised all over the world, with world ranking points up for grabs.
The course was set up really tough and unseasonably hot and windy conditions plagued the opening rounds. George showed fantastic mental strength to battle hard in the first two rounds which saw him leading by just one shot heading into the final round.
After speaking with George after every round i could tell that his mind and game plan was solid and just following it could see him through for the victory. We all know how hard it is to cross the finish line but George did it in style, when it mattered he shot a -1 par back 9 to win by 4 shots from the nearest competitor. George passionately knocked in a 6 footer on the 18th, followed by a 'Tiger' esq fist pump to take the title and be the first ever Cypriot to win the championships. The hometown crowd around the 18th cheered George in and i was lucky enough to get a FaceTime with him straight after, congratulating him on the impressive win.
Myself, Oli, James and Niall who have all been part of George's improvements are so proud of him. George is going to be spending sometime with us in June training with the THSG at the club, if anyone fancies a game with him while he is here, please let me know.
Well done again George ....
