An opportunity to get free golfing lessons is knocking on the door of the students of the International School of Siem Reap.

As part of his personal drive to promote the game at the grassroots level, David Baron, a former PGA professional and the present Director of Golf at the Angkor Golf Resort in Siem Reap, has launched a six-week program for ISSR students in the age group of 10 to 14.

“I will offer private coaching out of school time to students showing genuine promise. I hope these are the juniors who grow up in the game to represent Cambodia in the future,” Baron told the Post yesterday.

“I am passionate about developing golf at the junior level in Cambodia as and when time permits. This is something the AGR Executive Director [Holic] Tandijono is also passionate about. I will pick a few more schools which are keen on giving its students an opportunity to learn golf,” he added.

The ISSR program gives students a full overview of the game beginning with the basics. As they progress they will be introduced to new shots and techniques.

“My teaching philosophy for juniors is to focus on their golf specific athletic development. It is vital to keep classes fun and stimulating for juniors. All these fun activities have similarities to the golf swing, such as rotation, sequence, balance, weight transfer and hand eye coordination,” said Baron.

“Lack of opportunity should not come in the way of golf development for Cambodian juniors and this is where AGR can help. Our goals are simply to give local children the opportunity to try the game and hopefully in the years to come we will see more Cambodian golfers competing at the highest level.

“I think the national tennis team is a great example of what can be done when a structured organisation is put in place in order to nurture talent and develop the game.”

ISSR principal Richard Halliday said the school was excited to be in partnership with the AGR.

“They approached us to promote golf among our students and we were looking to give our high school students a more rounded sports curriculum,” Halliday told the Post.