The start of a new beginning

The American coach Claude Harmon III believes Dubai will soon see an 'explosion of golf'.

Dubai // Claude Harmon III is enthusiastically extending the life of a famous American golfing dynasty in the unlikely setting of the UAE and he believes he is in at the sharp end of what is about to become one of the hotbeds of the sport. Harmon's father Butch is one of the most famous figures in the game, having coached and mentored many of the top players in the game, including the world No 1 Tiger Woods. His grandfather Claude won the coveted US Masters title at Augusta in 1948.

Now Harmon is the key figure at a new $US500,000 (Dh1.8 million) academy at the Els Club of the Dubai Sports City and is planning to pass on his vast knowledge to Emiratis and expatriates in the region. "The idea is to try to follow in my father's footsteps as a respected coach and teacher - a sort of golf doctor," said Harmon, 39, about his new role. He worked for his father until 2001, when he felt the need for a fresh challenge.

After several years touring with leading professional players, he is now seeking to settle in Dubai and be part of what he believes will be an explosion of golf in the region. "This place is already considered to be a favourite destination for golfers, but we are only at the beginning which is really exciting," said Harmon. Harmon regards himself to be something of an oddity in the world of golf professionals because he is not much of a player. "I played other sports but I never really had a playing background in golf. A lot of people who teach have played to a certain level. I never had that background.

"If I hadn't had the family background I had it might have hurt me. Right about the time my dad became a sought-after instructor, I was hanging around watching him teach. I was just lucky enough to know that my dad was teaching the best players in the world and that I could learn a great deal from that. "One of the main things he impressed upon me was that you have to be right. You can't guess at the answers if you are working with players who are aiming to be the best in the world."

Harmon is convinced that the successful methods he used with leading professionals will work just as effectively with what will be a predominantly amateur client list in Dubai. "The big thing that I do have is communication skills," he said. "There are a lot of people out there teaching who have the information but lack the communication skills needed to pass it on. "I see myself as an information broker and the intention is to pass on that information to golfers of all levels. Providing they want to learn, we can teach them and we have the facilities here to cater for all kinds of demands from the really serious players to the high handicappers."

Harmon was happy to give a lesson free of charge to the amateurs he has watched so far during his days in the region, particularly visitors to the Els Club. "When was the last time an amateur golfer spent an hour practising his short game?" he asked. "I don't see anybody chipping and putting when they go out to warm up before playing. "They come here, hit a bucket full of balls down the driving range and jump into their buggy and play. If they miss the first green, they have to play their next shot without any chipping practice. It sounds obvious but that is what happens."