Gap Year Golf Program Opens in Myrtle Beach S.C.
I read an article on our Planet Gap Year News Feed dated July 2nd about a native Irish couple living in Marco Island, Florida. They brought their passion for golf to the U.S. by opening a golf academy in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The academy offers a 9 month gap year program for students age 17-21 to train and improve their golf game, and compete at the collegiate level.
According to the article,"Islanders Open Golf Academy", by Marco Eagle Staff, Marco Island residents Peter and Helen Donaghy, formerly of County Tyrone and Dublin in Ireland, opened the Champions Golf Academy in Myrtle Beach, S.C. in April, with former PGA Tour Player Hugh Royer, III. Read more.
The Donaghy's son Gavin participated in the gap year program, working closely with Hugh Royer, a noted golf instructor. Following his gap year experience, Gavin secured a position on the University of South Carolina's golf team. The Academy is located adjacent to the Long Bay Club, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, and offers a full range of programs from beginner to professional.
Donaghy was quoted in the article saying, “We’ve met a lot of kids who take the year off after graduation from high school; it’s a transition year before they go to university.”
According to the Champion Golf Academy web site, The Gap Year Program is designed for players to prepare both academically and from a golf perspective for college. The Gap Year Program consists of nine months of intense training that focuses on golf instruction, sports psychology, and physical fitness.