Marketing, Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy
(352) 484-0787
[email protected]
www.ggga.com
November 20, 2016
In continuing an exciting and record breaking year for Ariya Jutanugarn, the world got to watch her clinch the title for the season-long Race to the CME Globe, take home the Rolex Player of the Year Award and land the 2016 Money Title this past weekend. For Ariya’s second season on tour, she started training with Coach Gary Gilchrist. She has gone on to capture her first three wins and make history as the first golfer, male or female, from Thailand to win a major championship.
Ariya is now ranked at the top with an incredible season long performance, being named the 2016 Rolex Player of the Year. LPGA Tour players are awarded points at each official LPGA tournament based on top-10 finishes. The top point earner takes home the prestigious title and honor of Rolex Player of the Year. “It’s like my dream come true.” says Ariya. This is also her first career Race to the CME Globe Title and Money Title: a $1 million bonus.
2016 Rolex Player of the Year Ariya Jutanugarn with Coach Gary Gilchrist
The path from 64th place to being the Rolex Player of the year in the LPGA started with Coach Gary Gilchrist this past February. When Ariya Jutanugarn arrived to train with Coach Gilchrist, the first area they focused on was her confidence. “It’s important when a player comes to me and their confidence is that low, to start straight away by building confidence which is done through honest sharing of where they are at in their game.” says Coach Gilchrist. “At the time, Ariya felt she wasn’t doing anything very well. In actuality, her game was very good.” Coach Gilchrist identified the areas in her game that were holding her back. Training focused on fixing ball striking and having her see improvements in game play. “She had a strong belief in herself, but she was really doubting her game.” says Coach Gilchrist.
The week prior to the start of the CME Group Tour Championships in Naples, Florida Ariya spent time with Coach Gary Gilchrist at the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy facilities at Mission Inn Resort & Club for lessons and to prepare herself mentally. Training focused on short game and getting her ball striking on point so she could walk onto the course at Tiburón Golf Club feeling confident. While the training was focused on the range, the dynamic between Gary and Ariya is joyful and energizing to be around. In between swings, the conversation between coach and player was full of laughter as the topics weave around perspective, attitude and capturing success on the course. “With Gary I know what I have to work on…It’s easy for me to use. It’s simple enough for me to take with me out on the course,” says Ariya, “Plus… Gary is so much fun!”
“Going into the CME I was very confident for Ariya because we spent the week before training together at Mission Inn Resort & Club at my academy.” Coach Gilchrist “ We focused on motion drills that she uses before every tournament round, which gives her the feel for the game. We also focused on her pre-shot routine which has become very, very strong. It really helps calm her mind down when she walks to the ball and executes it.”
Ariya and Coach Gilchrist preparing for the CME’s the week before at Mission Inn Resort & Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida at the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy facilities
Pictured Above: Ariya Jutanugarn and Gary Gilchrist
The training that develop Ariya’s confident, positive and patient mindset was ever present with her at the CME. After the first two rounds, Ariya was eight shots behind but still approached the ball with a plan and high energy to come back and play herself into contention. Ariya would ultimately outplay LPGA Professional Lydia Ko – “One of the best minds in golf today” according to Coach Gary Gilchrist.
“This is the difference between instruction and coaching – taking an athlete to the next level. Watching an athlete turn her game around and play to her full potential – to reach a pinnacle and to play with this kind of high performance, it really gives me such satisfaction and fulfillment and a real love for coaching the game of golf.” – Coach Gary Gilchrist
Coach Gary Gilchrist and Ariya Jutanugarn training on the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy range at Mission Inn Resort & Club
Pictured Above: Gary Gilchrist and Ariya Jutanugarn
Gary Gilchrist and his team at Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy believe strongly in the science of achievement, which is the mechanics of training, combined with the art of fulfillment, which is the ability to enjoy the process and find appreciation in the journey. “It’s about taking what you have and playing great with it. It’s a fine line. To be a great golfer is two things: consistency, which builds confidence… along with trusting in the process and the plan,” says Coach Gary Gilchrist, “Winning comes from a belief in oneself and your ability, it’s not about being perfect.”
In a coaching career that spans more than 20 years, Gary Gilchrist has been responsible for recruiting, training and developing more professional, amateur and junior golfers than any other coach in the world. His system of training applies to golfers of all ages and abilities. At the training facilities at Mission Inn Resort, he and his team incorporate a holistic training environment for juniors, amateurs and professionals through technical, mental, fitness and on-course strategy training. Gilchrist has been recognized by Golf Digest as a Top 50 Teacher in America 2011-2016 and by Golf Magazine as a Top 100 Teacher 2012-2013.
For more information, please contact (352) 484-0787 or [email protected]
