A-Game Personnel

Director of Coaching - Ken Berndt

National Coaching Summits
In his teens and early twenties Ken was one of Australia’s outstanding young golfers.  He has been a member of the Australian PGA for over 30 years.  Ken’s insight as a coach and educational innovator has also led to presentations at National PGA Golf Summits (1992 Sports Science in Golf, 1994 Sports Vision for Golfers, 1998 Body Movements of the Golf Athlete).

Awards
Winner of the 2000 Queensland PGA Teaching Professional of the Year.

Junior Coaching Programs
He developed a keen interest in golf education and has been involved in elite coaching programmes such as the Queensland Golf Union's Elite Training Camps for the past 20 years. Ken has been Head Coach and Co-ordinator of this camp for the past ten years.

School Development Programme
During his coaching career Ken played a major role as coach (1992-96) and as advisor for curricular development for the Kelvin Grove School of Excellence programme (1995 World Schools in Team Champion).

In 1994 Ken assumed the role of Director of Golf at the hills Educational Foundation , an international college that integrates academic education and golf training for select students.  His role has been to develop and co-ordinate a programme that integrates the services of elite sports science personnel, as well as assuming a hands- on role with the students and directing the expertise of assistant coaches.

Sports Science Research
Ken was instrumental in bio-mechanics research in 1990 in conjunction with Dr. Robert Neal from the University of Queensland utilizing high-speed video and force platform analysis of golfers.

Ken also provided the impetus for extensive research into the physical fitness relationship to the technical proficiency of golfers.  He has worked with sports physiotherapist Roger Fitzgerald and Michael Dalgleish to develop the most advanced physical testing, analysis, training and remedial treatment programs in the world.  He played a key role in developing the IPCA golf programme in Queensland and developed the curricular for a sports management course in 1994.  He was IPCA Head Coach from 1995-2003

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Managing Director - Tom Berndt

Tom Berndt is one of the most highly credentialed and well-respected professionals in both Australia and the USA and is a key member of the A Game team.

International Experience
Tom returned to Australia in 1996 after three years working with “Goose” Munguia who was one of the largest golf operators in southern USA.  Goose and Tom owned several driving ranges and golf schools in Tennessee and Mississippi..  Tom was awarded Coach of The Year in 1995 for Southern USA Region and has an extensive network of contacts in the lucrative USA golf market

PGA Australia
Tom did extensive work developing the PGA Academy as co-ordinator with the PGA Queensland Trainee Programme during the period 1989-1993. He presented several seminars for Tennessee PGA on peak performance factors. He was presenter at 1998 Golf Summit.

Tom also set up PGA bridging tour schools for tour professionals to the Australian PGA and he was involved in third year intensive training school for PGA Australia Academy.

Media
Tom's media work included 6 years on Radio 4QR Drive Time Talk back and radio and television work in the USA.

Golf Technology
It was his innovative approach that led him to introduce the latest high-tech Computer Coach system into Australia.

Tom co-ordinated field testing for True Temper which is the world's largest golf shaft manufacturer.

Sports Science Research
Research into sports vision with Dr Bob Lees. Findings published in Optical Journal, Australian Golf Digest and PGA National.

Psychology 1995 Dr Dale Foster (Tennessee) utilizing biofeedback equipment to test visualisation in golf.

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Tony Mahoney

Tony turned professional in 1987 spending 10 years competing on the Australasian, Canadian and Asian Tours. He joined Ian Triggs' A-Game in 1996. Tony is an accrediated Trainer & Assessor and holds a Cert IV in Training & Assessment. He has been guest lecturer and keynote speaker for the Taiwanese PGA, from 2002 to 2006. He is currently is the Consultant National Coach of the Taiwanese National Team and elite training squads.

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Dr Noel Blundell Ed.D. M.S. B. Ed. Dip.T.

Dr. Noel Blundell has been dubbed the "Sports Psychologist to the Stars" due to his highly successful results with elite national and international athletes and teams in a wide variety of sports. He is best known for his work with elite golfers and tennis players and works extensively on the international professional circuits in both these sports.

Dr. Blundell’s extensive golf clientele compete on all the major international circuits of the world - the US, European, Japanese and Australasian Tours. His players have won many tournaments on all these major circuits, and, as a result, four of his players have represented the "Rest of the World" team that plays the US tour team for the Presidents Cup in Ryder Cup format. Dr. Blundell has been directly involved with producing in excess of 20 successful international Australian amateur golf representatives, both male and female, over the past 15 years.

Dr. Blundell is also sport psychologist to 1996 Wimbledon semi-finalist Jason Stoltenberg (current coach of world no. 1 Lleyton Hewitt.) Jason was a World top 20 as well as a successful Australian Davis Cup player. Dr. Blundell was directly involved in taking Paul Annacone into the top 10 in the World as a player.

Dr. Blundell has also been directly involved in producing eight world champions including Arthur Brett (Boardsailing), Lee Brownbill (Shooting), Brett Thurley (Water Skiing) and Laurene Bevaart, 3 times World Champion (Karate). He has worked with a multitude of successful interstate and national teams including the Australian Softball team, as well as professional A.F.L. football teams.

An experienced international lecturer, Dr. Blundell has conducted numerous seminars, published a number of research papers, and is the author of the popular book "So You Want to be a Tennis Pro". He has a high national and international media profile in television, having featured in programmes such as "The 7.30 Report" and "Good Morning Australia" on radio, and in the international print media such as "The New York Times". He is a consultant to various organisations including the International Tennis Federation, The Australian Professional Golfers Association and the Victorian Institute of Sport. Dr. Blundell currently works with Australia’s number 1 golfer, Robert Allenby.

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Andrew Grigg

Physical training clinics feature well known and respected Brisbane physiotherapist Andrew Grigg who has worked extensively with many elite golfers.

Ranges of physical training programmes have been developed in conjunction with A-Game coaching staff.  These feature physical screening and profiling.  This procedure focuses on identifying any need for improvement in strength, flexibility, co-ordination  or balancing of muscles that have a direct effect on the student’s ability to swing properly.  Many problems originally determined as technical, in fact, have a physical component and must be resolved before technical adjustment is even a possibility. Once any problems have been ascertained, students will be taken through a general fitness and a specific remedial treatment programme.

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Dr Bob Lees

Sports Vision is a unique component of the A Game Golf Academy. Bob Lees is an expert consultant at the forefront of world research in the study of this often unrecognised aspect of golfing performance. Over the past ten years Bob has worked closely with A Game personnel in researching elite tour level players. A Game can now offer a programme utilising this extensive research with the capacity to offer previously unknown insights into playing golf thereby providing a real bonus for golfers. The sports vision component is comprehensive and features the presentation of information outlining ultra violet effects, eye muscle balance, distortion, depth perception and eye protection. A testing service will also be available as well as a practical workshop and an on-going remedial service where required.

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Henry Boulton

Henry Boulton is the latest edition to the A Game Golf Academy. Henry introduces SwingLab the technology arm to the A Game Golf Academy, he is a qualified Electronics Engineer, he is also an accreditied operator of the K-Vest Wireless 3D Instructional System an intergral part of Swinglab's Technology. A-Game Golf Academy at Brookwater Gofl Club is the first site in Australia to incorporate Swinglab's cutting edge technology into their Academy. (for online bookings click here or more information about the K-Vest visit swinglab.com.au or email henry@swinglab.com.au)

Henry will also be making sure A Game Golf Academy stays at the forefront of any new technologies that come onto the market, with his electronics expertise.

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