Start of the Regional Learning Series
24.09.2019

Autumn is a good time for the members of the Swiss PGA to devote themselves to their own further education. Traditionally, the association organizes training days in the last months of the year. In 2019, a new experience sharing tool will be tested: the Regional Learning Series. These take place in three regions of Switzerland. "In the Regional Learning Series, Pros come together in small groups to discuss ideas, discuss problems in their everyday work, and seek solutions together," explains Russell Warner, responsible for Further Education at the Swiss PGA.

The Regional Learning Series are supported by Swiss Golf, ASGI and Migros GolfCard (SupportingGolfTogether.ch). Discussion topics have already been identified for the first series: "We will talk about the benefits of group training and its target groups, but also about winter training," said Warner. "Best Practice as a Club Professional" is also on the agenda - "we want to show how Club Pros can be a significant added value for a golf club and thus generate additional income for the club".

Each event Regional Learning Series is moderated by an experienced Swiss PGA Professional. Jean-Luc Burnier (Western Region) will host the event on 14th October (deadline: 30th September) at the GC de Lausanne, while Galvin Luznyj (Center Region) will hold the meeting on 18th October (deadline: 4th October) at the GC Engelberg, while Paul Wesselingh will be responsible for the Eastern Region event, which will take place on 11th November (deadline: 28th of October) at GC Gams-Werdenberg.

If the new tool will be effective and receives positive feedback, the Regional Learning Series will be integrated into the further education program of the Swiss PGA from 2020 onwards.

In November, two more «classic» training days of the Swiss PGA will be on the program. On 4./5. November the Swiss PGA will visit Golfpark Holzhäusern organizing two high-profile events with key note speakers focusing on important coaching aspects.

On Monday, November 4, the stage belongs to University Professor Dr. med. Paul Schempp, who deals with the characteristics and the development of leaders in the economy and of full-time sport coaches. Schempp will demonstrate ways how to develop yourself into a coaching expert. "It will also be about what a coaching expert does and what learning methods coaching experts work with," explains Russell Warner. "Schempp will provide insight on how to properly communicate with your students and clients as a coach, how to behave as a coach and how coaches develop themselves," said Warner.

Among others, Schempp works with the PGA of America, the Singapore Sports Council, the Swedish Sports Federation, the Swiss Football Association and the Taiwan Olympic Committee. He has experience in sports coaching at the highest level.

Steve Astle will be leading the final day of Swiss PGA annual Further Education Program. He will speak on Tuesday, November 5, in the Golfpark Holzhäusern about "The Business of Coaching". The Englishman is known for his successful workshops focusing on the self-marketing of sports coaches. "The times when you, as a golf teacher in the clubhouse, could wait for the reservation book to fill itself up, are long gone. Today, Teaching Pros are about acquiring customers. But that requires knowing your own product - and then promoting it, "explains Russell Warner. Steve Astle will also be talking about social media marketing; something that you will hardly get around as a Teaching Pro in the future.

Astle is a sought-after coach and currently looks after the U16 girls of the English Golf Association. He knows from his own experience how successful self-marketing functions as a Teaching Pro and passes this knowledge on in seminars and workshops.