Foreign golf experts in Vietnam (Part 2)  07:17, 02/04/2025

Can you introduce yourself?

My name is Eugene Marais, and I am a PGA Professional from South Africa, holding the title of USKG Master Coach and one of the few TPI instructors in Vietnam. I have been living and working in Hanoi for the past 6 years, focusing on the development of golf, particularly nurturing young players and expanding the game in Northern Vietnam. Recently, I’ve embarked on an exciting new journey with the BRG Group to develop world-class academies under the Nicklaus brand across Vietnam. As the Director of Academies, it is my responsibility to ensure that all facilities provide top-tier instruction and deliver the highest quality of coaching.

What bring you to Vietnam?

In 2018, I was approached by The Ernie Els Group to take on the role of Performance Trainer at The Els Performance Golf Academy in Ecopark. At that time, I didn’t know much about golf in Vietnam, but after doing some research, I was impressed by the country’s rapid development in the sport. I had always enjoyed traveling to Southeast Asia for leisure and had hoped to work there one day. Upon arriving in Vietnam, I was amazed by the quality of the golf facilities and the passion for the game. The warmth of the Vietnamese people and their culture made it easy to settle in. Little did I know that this would lead to a 6-year journey in golf—one that I could have never imagined.

Which position did you find most challenging?

My journey has been a bit different from most. I’m always eager to take on new challenges and responsibilities that help expand my experience in the industry. Over the past 10 years, I’ve focused on gaining as much knowledge as possible to become the best professional I can be.

At the age of 23, I became Head Professional at one of the largest golf clubs in Egypt, where I had the opportunity to teach National Teams and Tour players across the country. From there, I moved on to become a Performance Trainer at one of the top academies in Southeast Asia, EPGA. As my reputation grew, I was promoted to Senior Teaching Professional, where I ran the largest US Kids Golf program in Asia with over 200 junior golfers. These experiences eventually led me to my current role as Director of Academies for the BRG Group/Nicklaus Brand.

Each of these roles came with its own unique challenges, but I think most expat coaches would agree that your first job abroad is the toughest. Adapting to a new country, language, food, and culture takes time, but it’s all part of the growth and learning process.

You were voted as one of the Top 50 best US Kids Golf coaches worldwide. Can you share about this achievement?

I was honored to be recognized as a Top 50 USKG coach in 2021 and 2022, and in 2023, I became the first South African to achieve the prestigious MASTER COACH status. This accomplishment is a direct result of my passion for developing junior golf in Vietnam. My journey began in 2019 when I arrived at EPGA and was surprised to find only around 15 junior players practicing regularly at the academy. Coming from Egypt, where I had over 100 juniors in my academy program, I was accustomed to seeing many more young players involved in the sport. Working closely with the coaching team and Mr. Greg from USKG, we developed a plan to introduce more kids to golf. By the end of 2021, we had over 200 junior players enrolled in the USKG program, making it the largest program of its kind in Asia at that time.

What brought you to the position of Director of Instruction at the Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf?

The Els Performance Golf Academy (EPGA) has been incredibly supportive of my growth and the development of golf, but I felt that the next step was to get both junior and adult golfers onto a real golf course, where they could truly experience and learn the game. Thanks to the support of the BRG Group, I was given the freedom to develop Golf Academies under the Nicklaus brand across the country, utilizing the 9 golf courses in their portfolio. This opportunity really excited me, as I knew how essential it was for golfers to get on the course early, to learn how to "play" golf rather than just "practice" on the range all day. The combination of world-class teaching facilities and cutting-edge technology, paired with championship golf courses, creates a unique offering that can only be found at The Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf. This level of service is unmatched anywhere else in Vietnam.

What is special about the US Kids Golf at Jack Nicklaus Academy?

What sets our Academy apart from others is the "Real Golf" experience. In my lessons, I have the flexibility to take junior golfers out onto the course and teach them essential course management skills. Recently, we built a unique 3-green, 6-tee box mini golf course at Legend Hill as a steppingstone to the full 18-hole course. This mini course provides a fun and engaging way for everyone to learn, making the experience both educational and enjoyable.

Does junior golf in Vietnam have a lot of potential?

I’ve had the privilege of working with talented juniors like Anh Minh, Doan Uy, Gia Han, and many others, watching them grow both as golfers and as individuals over the past 6 years. Junior golf in Vietnam continues to strengthen each year, and the recent success of the National team and Anh Minh shows that with solid coaching, resilience, and the support of the country and its people, Vietnam Golf is poised to become the next powerhouse in Asia. Vietnam will soon be able to compete alongside countries like South Korea, Thailand, and Japan.

What preparations do families need to make to support a child pursuing professional golf?

First, if the player is young, it’s important to start them in a group setting. Golf can be challenging at first, but having friends to practice and play with each week will help keep them excited and motivated to improve.

Second, it's important to remember that the full swing isn’t everything. I often see parents directing coaches to focus on hitting the ball long and straight before addressing the short game, but this approach isn’t ideal. Many kids may look impressive on the driving range, but when it comes to playing around the greens, they can struggle and lose confidence in their game.

Third, make sure they spend plenty of time on the course with friends. I fell in love with golf walking the fairways with my friends, and those are the memories that stay with me. The Jack Nicklaus Academy offers exactly that— a place where kids can play together and create lasting memories.

Lastly, it’s essential that they enjoy the game and want to keep coming back. If a junior isn’t interested in playing or practicing, don’t force it. Only those with a true passion and dedication for the game will eventually become professional players.

What are the academy's goals and plans for young golf in the future?

My hopes for the future of junior golf in Vietnam are centered around creating a sustainable pipeline of talent and increasing the recognition of Vietnam as a leading golf destination in Asia. I would love to see more young golfers from Vietnam competing on the international stage, showcasing their skills, and gaining recognition on major tours like the PGA or LIV Golf.

For the academy, the goal is to continue developing well-rounded young golfers by not only focusing on their technical skills but also nurturing their passion for the game and ensuring they enjoy the process of learning. In the future, I hope the academy will expand its programs to reach more children across the country, offering quality coaching, competitive opportunities, and access to top-tier training facilities.

We also want to foster an environment where juniors can build lifelong memories, develop their resilience, and grow their mental and physical strength as golfers. By providing them with opportunities to play, compete, and bond with their peers, we can help build a strong sense of community and passion for sport.

Ultimately, our vision is to elevate junior golf in Vietnam to the point where it’s recognized alongside countries like South Korea, Japan, and Thailand as a powerhouse in Asian golf, producing players who are ready to make their mark on the global stage.