RV GOLF SCHOOLS St Andrews, Scotland | Summer 2022 Camps
CONTENTS
Introduction
03
Meet the Team
05
Camp Options
09
Daily Schedule
20
Prize Giving
22
Accommodation
24
Golf Courses
26
Practice Facilities
37
Travel Arrangements
39
Activities
41
Camp Dates
45
Testimonials
46
Introduction
Rick Valentine setup and designed the camps and has been a leader within golf coaching for nearly 20 years. During this time, he has developed leading player development pathways and camps assisting golfers to develop their games and reach their goals. With a focus on developing the whole player both on and off the golf course, Rick’s camps focus on creating the perfect environment of friendship, fun and learning to guide his players to take the next step towards their goals.
Receiving expert coaching, playing amazing courses and engaging in a busy schedule of evening activities whilst being looked after by a highly experienced pastoral team, our players really will make friends for life and have an experience they will never forget. Rick’s father Iain Valentine has now taken on the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and will be leading the development of the camps using his wealth of knowledge and experience.
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St Andrews, Scotland
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MEET THE TEAM
IAIN VALENTINE Chief Executive Officer RV Golf Schools
After a successful career in business working around the world, Iain took on the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Golf Association in 2003. Over the next 10 years Iain was at the forefront of amateur golf in Asia growing the game at both junior and adult level.
Iain oversaw the progression of junior golf in Hong Kong expanding both the coaching provision, development pathway and tournament opportunities. He worked closely with The Faldo Series to bring the finals to Hong Kong, the European Tour in the growth of the Hong Kong Open and the R&A & Augusta National in the launch of the Asian Amateur. Since retiring from the Golf Association Iain has run his own business where he has been carrying out work for the European Tour, The United States Golf Association and the R&A, assisting in the running of Golf tournaments in Asia and the UK, and conducting course rating work in Asia. In addition to the running of tournaments Iain is also a qualified Rules official working at events on the Asian and European Tours. Golf is in Iain’s blood playing to a high level of amateur golf in his youth and has been a member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews for over 50 years. Iain’s mother Jessie Valentine, who notched up a staggering 3 British Ladies Championships between 1937 and 1958 and 6 Scottish Ladies Championship titles, followed in the footsteps of her father Iain’s grandfather Joe Anderson who was a professional and clubmaker in Perth, Scotland.
www.rvgs.golf info@rvgs.golf
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RYAN SCOTT Head of Coaching Advanced PGA Fellow Professional, UKCC Level 3 Coach
Having played at an elite amateur level, Ryan joined the Professional Golfers Association in 2004. Since this time, he has coached at several venues across Scotland, and accumulated thousands of hours coaching golfers of all abilities, including Professional golfer’s competing on the EuroPro and Challenge Tours . He was successfully awarded ‘PGA Fellow Professional’ status in June 2017 by the British PGA due primarily to his achievements and experiences in golf coaching and his commitment to continued professional learning. As part of his coaching qualifications and professional development, Ryan completed the Golfing Machines Golf Stroke Engineering Master’s qualification becoming one of only a handful of coaches in Scotland to achieve this status. In addition, in September 2014, he completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Sports Coaching at the University of Birmingham, as well as completing the UKCC Level 3 qualification. Ryan also works within coach education as a tutor for the PGA and Sport Scotland and a coach developer for Scottish Golf.
www.rvgs.golf info@rvgs.golf
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PHIL CALVERT Camp Director Master Trainer, Tutor and Assessor UK & Ireland, Life Fitness Academy
Phil specializes in golf strength and flexibility, exercise management for lower back pain and nutrition and weight management. He has several qualifications through the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs), the professional body for the health and fitness industry in the United Kingdom. Along with certifications for lower back pain management, nutrition and weight loss, he holds certifications form the Titleist Performance Institute, advanced personal training and gym management. Phil has combined his knowledge of training for the development of golfers through training as a TPI instructor and working with tour professionals.
www.rvgs.golf info@rvgs.golf
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OLI LEET Putting Expert AimPoint Level 3 Instructor
Oli has been a Pga professional for 11 years and specialised in coaching putting for 8 of those years. During this time he has worked with all level of golfers from beginners to European Tour winners but his real passion is helping dedicated golfers who have a strong desire to improve. Oli has an awesome mentor in Phil Kenyon and is proud to be part of his team of Coaches. He has learnt so much from Phil over the past three years and is always hungry to learn and improve as a coach. Oli is also the only AimPoint Level 3 instructor in the UK; As well as Aimpoint sessions he will offer a range of services, including SAM Putt Lab and Capto analysis, putter fittings. Oli is based at Tickenham.
www.rvgs.golf info@rvgs.golf
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2022 CAMPS
THE ULTIMATE CAMP
Our ultimate golf camp offers golfers of all abilities the opportunity to develop their game within a fun learning environment supported by our expert team of coaches. The players will embark on a busy schedule of coaching, on course play, internal competitions and evening activities whilst exploring the wonders of St Andrews and experiencing the ancient links courses of Scotland. The majority of the coaching will take place in a group format with a maximum of 8 players per group, where the coaches will cover all aspects of the game to include full swing, chipping, bunker play and putting. Each player will also receiving a 1:1 full swing and putting analysis session highlighting their key areas for development. On the Ultimate Camp the courses will vary from week to week but players will experience a variety of fantastic links and parkland courses to include the likes of the Strathtyrum and Eden courses in St Andrews, Carnoustie Buddon and the Balcomie Links at Crail. Please note not all of these courses will be available each week.
www.rvgs.golf info@rvgs.golf
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THE ULTIMATE CAMP
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Age group: 10-17 years old Accommodation full board 5 rounds of golf per week 12 hours of group coaching per week Variety of daily competitions 1 x 1:1 swing analysis session
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1 x 1:1 putting analysis session Golf fitness plan Skills challenge Airport transfers Camp prize giving
**This camp will be limited to 32 places per week
www.rvgs.golf info@rvgs.golf
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THE HIGH PERFORMANCE CAMP
Our high-performance camp is aimed at the better player looking for the tour player experience. The players will embark on a busy schedule of coaching, course play and competitions whilst also linking up with the Ultimate Camp players for evening activities. This camp offers extensive 1:1 coaching using all the technology to include trackman, video analysis, SAM PuttLab, TPI physical assessment and Green Reading. Players will also receive small group sessions covering key areas of the game focusing on shot making, wedge play and putting. The coaches will also deliver sessions on course management, nutrition and practice methods, with all elements of the coaching being combined into a coaching pack ensuring players have all the tools to continue their development. Players will also be challenged on the course with a challenging schedule of links and parkland courses to include the likes of the Castle, New, Eden and Strathtyrum in St Andrews, the Burnside at Carnoustie and the Craighead Links at Crail. Players will also have the opportunity to put their hard work into practice competing in a junior open or the St Andrews Boys or Junior Ladies Open depending on their week of stay.
www.rvgs.golf info@rvgs.golf
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THE HIGH PERFORMANCE CAMP
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• • • •
Age group: 14-17 years old Accommodation full board 5 rounds of golf per week (higher ranked golf courses for high performance players) 12 hours of coaching, combination of 1:1 and small group 1 x 1:1 full swing analysis and online report per week 1 x 1:1 putting coaching and online report per week Classroom sessions to include, course management, goal setting, nutrition & hydration
• • • • • • • •
Golf fitness 1:1 assessment and personal plan Variety of daily competitions Entry into a Scottish Junior Tournament Skills challenge Sunday sightseeing trip Visit British Golf Museum Airport Transfers Camp prize giving
**This camp will be limited to 12 places per week
www.rvgs.golf info@rvgs.golf
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COLLEGE ACCELERATOR / SCHOOL PLACEMENT GOLF CAMP Our college accelerator/school placement camp is a two week camp aimed at players with the goal of furthering their education playing college golf in the States or schools golf in the UK. Players will embark on a busy schedule of coaching, course play, tournaments, academic classes and college/ school guidance to further their chances of obtaining a place on a college or school golf team. This camp will follow the High Performance coaching syllabus offering extensive 1:1 coaching using all the technology to include trackman, video analysis, SAM PuttLab, TPI physical assessment and Green Reading. Players will also receive small group sessions covering key areas of the game focusing on shot making, wedge play and putting. The coaches will also deliver sessions on course management, nutrition and practice methods, with all elements of the coaching being combined into a coaching pack ensuring players have all the tools to continue their development. Players will also be challenged in the classroom developing their skills in English and Maths preparing them for the SAT/School entrance exams. Sessions on the college/school application process and 1:1 guidance will also be delivered to ensure all players improve their knowledge and start the process of choosing their preferred pathway. After the camp players will have the opportunity to sign up to our college/school placement scheme to continue working with our experienced team to make their dream a reality. Players will also follow the High Performance golfers on the course with a challenging schedule of links and parkland courses to include the likes of the Castle, New, Eden and Strathtyrum in St Andrews, the Burnside at Carnoustie and the Craighead Links at Crail. Players will also have the opportunity to put their hard work into practice competing in a junior open or the St Andrews Boys or Junior Ladies Open depending on their week of stay.
www.rvgs.golf info@rvgs.golf
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COLLEGE ACCELERATOR / SCHOOL PLACEMENT GOLF CAMP
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• • •
Age group: 12-17 years old Accommodation full board 10 rounds of golf (higher ranked golf courses with high performance players) 16 hours of golf coaching, combination of 1:1 and small group 16 hours of academic classes to include Maths, English and College/School guidance 2 x 1:1 full swing analysis and online report 1 x 1:1 putting coaching and online report per week Classroom sessions to include, course management, goal setting, nutrition & hydration
• • • • • • • •
Golf fitness 1:1 assessment and personal plan Variety of daily competitions Entry into a Scottish Junior Tournament Skills challenge Sunday sightseeing trip Visit British Golf Museum Airport Transfers Camp prize giving
**This camp will be limited to 12 places per week
www.rvgs.golf info@rvgs.golf
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GOLF CAMP INTERNSHIP
The golf camp internship is for golfers looking to develop their knowledge and experience of coaching whilst also having time to develop their game with practice and on course play. Our interns will shadow our coaches assisting them in the delivery of the coaching sessions and then helping the pupils out on the course by playing with the groups. After golf, they will get involved in the delivery of our evening activities and assisting our residential team in the accommodation. The interns will have a busy but very rewarding schedule developing their leadership and coaching skills which will be a great addition to their CV and their future career.
www.rvgs.golf info@rvgs.golf
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GOLF CAMP INTERNSHIP
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•
Age group: 18-21 years old Handicap under 10 Accommodation full board Shadow and assist our PGA Professionals deliver the coaching sessions On course play with the pupils on the Ultimate and High Performance Camps
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Assist with the delivery of the evening activities Assists the residential team around the accommodation 1 x 1:1 swing analysis session 1 x 1:1 putting analysis session Airport Transfers
**This camp will be limited to 5 places
www.rvgs.golf info@rvgs.golf
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DAILY SCHEDULE
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A Typical Daily Schedule
The boys and girls have a busy schedule being supported in house by our pastoral team as well as on the driving range and golf course developing their games with our team of professionals.
7:00
7:30
8:00
8:30
11:30
RISE & SHINE!
BREAKFAST
HEAD TO THE COURSE
GROUP COACHING
LUNCH
The players are woken up by the pastoral team and have time to get ready for breakfast.
Is served in the McIntosh Hall dinning room with the option of a cooked or continental breakfast.
The players and their equipment are transported to the practice facilities in our fleet of mini buses.
The players are split into their coaching groups and following the coaching schedule for the day developing all areas of their game.
After coaching a picnic lunch is served to include a sandwich, crisps, snack bar, fruit and water.
12:30
17:30
18:00
19:30
21:00 - 22:00
TEE OFF!
DEPART COURSE
DINNER
EVENING ACTIVITIES
SHOWER & LIGHTS OUT!
After lunch the players are transported to the courses where they are split into playing groups and have the challenge of a different course each day.
The players are supported on course during the afternoon and are transported back to the boarding house after the round.
Dinner is severed in the McIntosh dining room with a choice of hot meal, salad bar, soup and desert.
Our activity program includes beach football, putting competition, town walk or a quiet night relaxing in house or a Fifa tournament.
The players then head to bed and are checked into their rooms by our pastoral team to get a good nights sleep ready for another busy day.
www.rvgs.golf info@rvgs.golf
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PRIZE GIVING
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Prize Giving
Our camps finish with a prize giving at the end of each week allowing us the opportunity to recognise the achievements and hard work of the players.
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ACCOMMODATION
St Andrews University, McIntosh Hall
St Andrews University was founded in 1410 and is ranked as the third best university in the United Kingdom. With its excellent location in the centre of town golfers will be able to fully experience the St Andrews experience. Situated within beautiful grounds pupils will have space to relax when not on the golf course and participate in some evening activities. We have a games room with PS4 as well as running a tuck shop selling drinks and snacks.
The house is well appointed with single and twin sharing rooms, dining room as well as communal rooms for relaxing after a busy day on the golf course. Players can request to room with a friend when signing up for the camp or can choose a single room for a small additional cost.
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GOLF COURSES
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HIGH PERFORMANCE CAMP COURSES
St Andrews Castle Course
High Performance Camp
The newest addition to St Andrews Links, The Castle
complex in Europe. Set on a rugged cliff-top with
Course opened in 2008 becoming the seventh course at
spectacular views over St Andrews, The Castle Course
the Home of Golf and part of the largest public golfing
offers a memorable golfing experience.
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St Andrews New Course
High Performance Camp
The oldest ‘new’ course in the world, the second course
to differentiate from its famous neighbour. Boasting
at the Home of Golf was built by the Keeper of the Green,
undulating fairways and challenging greens, the New
Tom Morris in 1895 and it was imaginatively named
Course is a classic test of links golf.
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St Andrews Jubilee Course
High Performance Camp
The third championship course at the Home of Golf, the
after seeing its prime golfing location between the New
Jubilee is considered by many to be the most challenging
Course and the sea, the Jubilee was converted to a
course on the famous Links. Built in 1897, it was originally
championship layout in 1988.
intended for use by ladies and beginners; however,
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Crail Craighead Links
High Performance Camp
With spectacular views - the sea is visible from every hole -
Built in the style of a traditional links course - with no trees
Craighead Links achieved fame in the 2001 Guiness Book of Records
protecting golf shots from the wind - Craighead provides
for the most nationalities playing in an international tournament.This
panoramic views of up to 100 miles, legally protected Sites of
challenging, cliff-top course was designed by world-renowned, golf
Special Scientific Interest flanking the 13th and 14th holes, and
course architect Gil Hanse to provide golfing aficionados with a true
a World War I pill box behind the 7th green, all in addition to
test of their shotmaking skills in a links environment.
serious golf.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE & ULTIMATE CAMP COURSES
St Andrews Eden Course
High Performance & Ultimate Camp
Only slightly more forgiving than its contemporaries on the seaward side of the Links, the Eden Course was built in 1914 by Harry S. Colt whose use of natural boundaries and severe bunkers provides a course full of character.
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St Andrews Strathtyrum
High Performance & Ultimate Camp
Designed to complement the tougher championship
iron play accuracy. The greens themselves are large and
layouts at the Home of Golf, the Strathtyrum was opened
have slopes and borrows which can test even the most
in 1993. Although few in number (15), the bunkers are
confident putters.
cunningly placed and there is considerable emphasis on
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Carnoustie Buddon Links
High Performance & Ultimate Camp
Buddon Links is a relatively new golf course having been
is a fine complement to the Championship course and it
opened in 1979. It was designed by Peter Allis and Davis
is worth a player considering 18 holes over the Buddon
Thomas, although there have been significant changes
Links as an introduction to links golf prior to tackling the
since, including the addition of 2 new holes. It has been
more demanding Championship course.
brought up to a very testing Par 68. The Buddon Links
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Crail Balcomie Links
High Performance & Ultimate Camp
A combination of stunning coastal views, centuries of history
fives, six par threes and nine par fours, producing a tough par of
and hugely enjoyable golf is what makes Balcomie Links one of
69. Extraordinary holes abound, along with those which seriously
Scotland’s most finely polished, golfing gems.This traditional, classic
challenge and those which are more comfortable. The sum total
links course was laid out by the old master himself, Tom Morris,
is a layout which both enchants and delights, but which also
and opened in 1895. Created in the days when course design was
demands and punishes, testing all the skills in a golfer’s armoury
governed by the natural lie of the land and not the mechanical
– as well as his nerve. Those length seekers who believe Balcomie
earth mover, Balcomie has the unusual combination of three par
will be a soft touch, do so at their peril.
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PRACTICE FACILITIES
Elmwood Golf Club
The coaching will take place at Elmwood Golf Club on their practice facilities which are ranked as one of the best in Scotland. The practice facility covers almost 19 acres and is set to USG standards with 3 practice chipping greens, 2 putting greens, 7 bunkers and driving range.
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TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
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TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
All our camps include transfers to and from St Andrews. Players will be met by one of the RV Golf Schools Team at Edinburgh Airport or Edinburgh Waverly Train Station and then transported in our vehicles to St Andrews where they will be checked into the accommodation. Monday is our arrival day and transfers will operate throughout the day and into the evening. Once players have arrived and settled into the accommodation they will be introduced to the staff and will have an afternoon of settling in activities. Our week’s finish on the Sunday with a short course challenge in the morning on the Balgove links with transfers running throughout the day to the airport and train station. For our 2022 camps we will also be offering a chaperone service from London’s Kings Cross to Edinburgh Waverly station and finally up to St Andrews — this service is designed to give parents that extra peace of mind. For additional information on our chaperone service please email info@rvgs.golf
www.rvgs.golf info@rvgs.golf
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EVENING ACTIVITIES
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EVENING ACTIVITIES
After the days golf the players are entertained with a wide variety of evening activities to include beach football, putting competitions and walks to explore the history around St Andrews. Over the weekend, we go further afield and visit Edinburgh for some sightseeing and culture visiting the museum of Scotland and taking a walk down the Royal Mile.
www.rvgs.golf info@rvgs.golf
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Evening Activities
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2022 CAMP DATES
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ST ANDREWS DATES Please see accompanying price sheet for full terms and pricing. **Note: The High Performance & College Accelerator camps are limited to 12 places per week. The Ultimate Camp is limited to 32 places per week. The Camp Internship is limited to 5 places. Players have a choice of the following camp duration & dates:
1 WEEK CAMP
2 WEEK CAMP
18TH–24TH JULY
25TH–31ST JULY
18TH–31ST JULY
ULTIMATE
✓
✓
✓
HIGH PERFORMANCE
✓
✓
✓
COLLEGE ACCELERATOR / SCHOOL PLACEMENT
✓
CAMP INTERNSHIP
✓
www.rvgs.golf info@rvgs.golf
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TESTIMONIALS
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“ I made many new friends from around the world while really improving my golf game ... the pro’s were highly skilled and fun to be with - will be back next year”
Kimi (Luxemburg)
“The experience that Rick has running golf camps brings a camp experience that is hard to find. It was great to see the kids develop new friendships and gain experiences that last a lifetime.”
Dave (PGA Professional The Address Montgomerie Dubai)
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RV GOLF SCHOOLS E: info@rvgs.golf | www.rvgs.golf