DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- One of the world's top golf coaches has been brought into Dubai Sports City and will use it as his permanent base as he instructs golfers from PGA Tour professionals to beginners.
Son of legendary golf coach Butch Harmon, Claude Harmon III - who coached the 2008 US Masters Champion, Trevor Immelman, among other tour pros including Darren Clarke and Adam Scott, - is now permanently based in Dubai Sports City to oversee the new Butch Harmon School of Golf.
The Butch Harmon School of Golf, which is the first such facility outside the US, is set for completion by the end of 2008 and will offer a bespoke coaching structure for both professionals and amateurs who are looking to improve their games.
"Claude Harmon's presence at The Butch Harmon School of Golf virtually ensures Dubai Sports City's place as the UAE's golf tuition centre of excellence. Few other Dubai clubs can boast facilities and instructors capable of instructing professional-level, PGA Tour players," said Khalid Zarooni, President, Dubai Sports City.
"Claude Harmon III comes from a family of immense golfing talent, and it is a great honor that he will live and work at Dubai Sports City, building on his family's tradition of developing some of the best golfers on tour," added Zarooni.
Claude Harmon III was most recently based out of the Trump National Golf Course in the Los Angeles, US. In moving to Dubai, Claude Harmon III shares the same vision as his father: that there is enough natural talent within the UAE to find the next big star on the Professional Tour.
The Butch Harmon School of Golf, based at The Els Club in Dubai Sports City, will house a state-of-the-art performance institute, which include physical screening, three dimensional, and two-dimensional video analysis for the students.
To complement the technology, Claude Harmon III brings a unique teaching philosophy that began with his grandfather, the 1948 US Masters Champion. It is a philosophy based on helping each person understand his own unique game.
"The Butch Harmon School of Golf - under the direction of Claude Harmon - will complement the world-class facilities of The Els Club, and our members and day-guests are eager to see the school up and running later this year," said Thomas Rubi, General Manager, The Els Club.
The school is one of seven different academies located at Dubai Sports City, with football, rugby, hockey, swimming, tennis and cricket academies all being housed within the complex. All of the academies will offer the opportunity for local sports people to train and compete in some of the best facilities in the world.
Figures from the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing show that the number of courses in Dubai is due to triple over the next ten years, and the number of golfers traveling to Dubai continues to rise dramatically.
About Butch Harmon School of Golf
The Butch Harmon School of Golf in Dubai will be based next to The Els Club golf course in Dubai Sports City.
The school, run by Claude Harmon III, will provide the coaching curriculum for the best players, as well as offering the opportunity for young local players to build their game.
About Claude Harmon
Claude Harmon III is one of the new generations of golf teachers. Both his grandfather, Claude Harmon, and father, Claude "Butch" Harmon Jr., have been the dominant teachers of their generations. Claude's family pedigree is important and he has used that foundation to build his reputation in the golf business.
Claude's teaching philosophy and methods have delivered lower scores and better, more repeatable swings for seasoned tour players, celebrities, and amateurs of all abilities.
Claude Harmon III spent 2002-2006 teaching on the European Tour, working successfully with players such as Trevor Immelman, Darren Clarke, Adam Scott, Bradley Dredge, and Graeme McDowell.
Golf Academies have played a big role in Claude's career. He was involved in the design and development of golf schools in Las Vegas, Portugal, Bahamas and Scotland.
Claude Harmon III will be based in Dubai, and will run the Butch Harmon School of Golf from Dubai Sports City.
About Dubai Sports City
Dubai Sports City (DSC), the cornerstone project of Dubailand, is a $4 billion, 50 million square feet mixed-use development which will be the world's first integrated purpose-built sports city. The development will be built around five major sports venues and feature a series of major sports academy facilities. For further information, please visit www.dubaisportscity.com
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