New Sports Academies
It is Asia’s first - and only - professional international-
An important first step in this direction was linking the sports academies to the Prem Tinsulanonda International School to allow student-athletes to combine intense athletic training with a first-class education, and with the possibility of pursuing a USA college scholarship or playing professionally.
The unique idea of offering sports academies at The Prem Center has always been part of ML Tri’s original vision for The Prem Center. His primary motivation was his dream of keeping families together in a nurturing environment while offering world-class academic and sports development programs - a “whole in one”. For many years Asian parents have sent their gifted children to the US or to Europe, far from family and friends, to ensure a first-class education and development.
Until now there have been no satisfactory alternatives here in Asia.
The Prem Tennis and Golf Academies have changed this by providing a new alternative, fulfilling a huge demand among Asian parents. With the popularity of tennis and golf exploding in recent decades, and with many Asian players making their mark on international tours, The Prem Tennis and Golf Academies have already seen great interest from Thai parents and from parents abroad.
This unique initiative has already offered ten scholarships to promising golf and tennis players. These scholarships will give these students the opportunity to pursue their sports dreams under personalized and professional supervision. Presently, the Academies have élite teams of top-ranked, full-time players from Chiang Mai, Krabi, Bangkok, Suphan Buri, Lampang, and Chonburi in Thailand and visiting players from Singapore, China, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, France, Sweden, USA and Nepal.
Strong Leadership
The decision of the CEO of The Prem Center, ML Tri, to hire American golf and tennis professionals Mike Collier and Randall Scott was a key factor in launching and directing these golf and tennis programs.
Tennis
Randall has lived and worked as tennis professional in the Asia for the past sixteen years. During this period he has been involved with many aspects of tennis development in Thailand. During his career he has coached in fifteen countries, started four academies, trained hundreds of coaches, and worked with and developed over 8,000 players from enthusiastic beginners to collegiate players to world class junior and senior tour players. Prior to arriving at Prem, Scott created and directed a tennis academy for Bangkok Patana International School, which was the first of its kind among international schools in the region. During his five year tenure the academy become the most renowned and respected tennis programs among Asian International Schools serving approximately 350 players weekly in after-school programs.
“We want to give more to every golf and tennis student, no matter their level of play. What we can offer is a lifetime of sports knowledge to the athletes while making a positive difference in these students’ lives. The programs are first-class, and when you combine that with our incredible energy and holistic approach, you have a truly remarkable opportunity for players in Asia,” says Coach Randy.
Golf
Spike Collier brings over twenty-four years of golf teaching experience to the Prem Golf Academy. He was the Director of Instruction at the largest Golf School in Germany boasting over 600 students per summer. His Junior Golf Program in Germany had over thirty-two youngsters, a few of who went onto the National Team. Spike has given well over 15,000 hours of golf instruction to include developing players who have gone on to German National Teams, Asian Tour Pros and upcoming PGA Teaching professionals. It is often stated that Spike possesses unparalleled qualities of a true teaching professional, consisting of his compassion and patience, astute listening ability, awareness of a person’s learning traits and an acute eye for seeing and analyzing a persons swing.
As one student says, “Great! Great! Great! It became obvious very early that Spike knew what he was talking about. A few minutes later it became obvious he knew how to relay that information to golfers of any skill level. As the week went on, he showed patience and a true desire to have all his students succeed. The week couldn't have been better and I can’t wait to do it again.”
"I am incredibly proud of the rapid growth the academy has enjoyed since opening last January. We are currently developing our Elite golf program geared for talented students striving to be at the top of their game and who would like to pursue a collegiate, tournament and/or a professional path. We want to offer our players the knowledge for power and precision so they may reach their own personal level of excellence. Our state-of-the-
The PGA’s all-weather golf training facility features the innovative V1 Swing Analysis Technology, classrooms for theory instruction, large putting and chipping greens, six covered chipping and hitting nets, a short range practice green with six hitting bays, long- and short-range bunker shots, a water hazard green, a fitness center, and a newly opened 350-yard driving range.
“The Prem Golf and Tennis Academy programs combined with an IB education give our students the complete package to enhance their futures. Randy and I believe we are well on our way to being the pre-eminent golf and tennis instruction academies in Thailand and the Asian region," says Pro Spike.
More information?
For more information about The Prem Golf Academy visit http://golf.premcenter.org, email spikec@premcenter.org, or call (+66) 0 53 301 500 (Ext 5415) for The Tennis Academy visit http://tennis.premcenter.org, email randalls@premcenter.org or call (+66) 0 53 301 500 (Ext 5416).
