Cameron Adam is clocking up the miles and the experience as part of the Merchiston Castle Golf Academy.
Most recently, he was off to Florida in early March for a high profile tournament, while he is going to have a busy spring and summer coming up with events for the school and as an individual set to come thick and fast.
He joined the school three years ago to be part of the Golf Academy and is really feeling the benefits.
Cameron comments: “Definitely it has been great to be part of the Golf Academy because it gives me a structured week when I am at home to really balance my school work and my golf well.
“I have set hours for golf, which helps massively because you can plan in advance what you want to achieve and practice, and I really like that I can play golf on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
“I also do fitness out with those times and the whole package has helped me to improve as a player.
“Working with [Director of Golf] Alan Murdoch and the other coaches who are available to us, has helped me work on my game management and my temperament as well as golf itself and that has been a big bonus.
“I also love the fact that the Academy has players of different ages and standards in it because you can learn from the other pupils, while competing in events such as the national finals, as a school
team gives you a great sense of achievement and pride.”
Golf, more than most sports, stretches youngsters as they get older and more successful because the game, by its very nature, takes a long time to play while they can be all over the world competing as they continue to move up the tree.
They can be stretched academically too due to this, but Adam believes the set-up at Merchiston is very good and really helps him with that.
“Alan and my class teachers are constantly talking to me, and with each other, to make sure that I am keeping up to speed with my coursework,” he explained.
“When I am away for tournaments, I take the required work with me and I think it is a big weight off my mind golf-wise that I am also keeping up with my school work.”
In 2011 Merchiston launched the Golf Academy.
Given that Scotland is the Home of Golf, the access to great courses, excellent coaching and facilities makes this an exciting venture for Merchiston.
Throughout the year, the boys have access to the excellent facilities at Kings Acre Golf Course, and all of those involved in the Academy have their own golf and fitness programmes to work on, some of the latter work taking place at Braid Hills driving range near the school.
Director of Golf, Alan Murdoch, said: “My passion is coaching and I enjoy helping players to get better and improve their game.
“In the last few years, the Golf Academy has grown really well and the calibre of player we have here is really good.
“As Cameron mentioned, all of the players really enjoy the school events against other schools because they can compete as a team and the camaraderie amongst them is brilliant.
“Cameron has done really well coming through the ranks and it is amazing to think that he is just 15 because he has a wise head on his young shoulders.
“He knows there is a long way to go to the top, but we will help him all the way and we are always very proud when one of the boys goes and does well at a big tournament either in the UK or abroad.”
Merchiston’s Summer Rugby Camp will run from Sunday 21 July 2019 to Friday 26 July 2019. Please click here to register.
The rugby camp is professionally designed and tailored to meet the individual development needs of every player.
The progressive programme includes:
- Individual skill and unit development sessions
- Game and positional understanding
- Video analysis i.e. goal kicking techniques
- Strength & conditioning, fitness and injury prevention workshops
- Nutritional and lifestyle seminars
- Leadership and team building activities
“This rugby camp experience will kick-start your season and allow you to hit the ground running!” Roddy Deans, Director of Rugby and Scotland U16 Head Coach.
If you have any enquiries regarding the camp, please call +44 131 312 2231 or email [email protected]