The Highlight Reel - 29/8/2025

The 2025–26 School Year: New Campuses, New Horizons

The new school year is here, and all of us at JAGA are excited to welcome back our students, families, and staff for what promises to be our best year yet.

This year marks another major step forward in JAGA’s growth. With the addition of new campuses in Taiwan and the UAE, our footprint in Asia continues to expand, and we are already looking toward new countries for the following school year. These milestones bring us closer to our mission of offering young athletes across the world the opportunity to learn and grow through the JAGA-Way.

It will also be the first full school year for the JAGA International Training Center, our world-class facility at Black Mountain. Here, we not only welcome JAGA students but also golfers from outside the academy who want to train the JAGA-Way. The Training Center is quickly becoming a hub for junior golf development, creating new opportunities for players at every level.

With new campuses, new opportunities, and a strong community ready to support one another, we are confident this will be the most impactful year in JAGA’s history.

Here’s to a year of growth, success, and unforgettable moments—welcome to the 2025-26 school year at JAGA.

JAGA on Tour: Summer Success Across Scotland and North America

Niagara to Toronto: Competing and Exploring in Canada

This summer, Tantikorn Klinpeng (Mono), Jayawardana Dornan, and Lubanzi Tselane travelled to Canada’s Niagara region for a packed schedule of tournaments, sightseeing, and unforgettable experiences. Over the course of their trip, they competed in the Global Junior Golf Canadian Championship, the US Kids Canadian Invitational, and the Junior Players Tour Ontario Shootout, taking on strong fields and new challenges every step of the way.

Global Junior Golf Canadian Championship

 The tour began just days after the players landed in Canada, with the Global Junior Golf event at Legends on the Niagara – Battlefield. Despite battling jet lag, the trio hit the ground running. Jaya set the pace early, leading the championship after day one. On day two, Lubanzi surged from 5th to 1st with a brilliant round of 68 that included three birdies and an eagle.

The final day brought drama. After a birdie on the 15th, Lubanzi was just one shot back of leader Stephen Moon. But Moon closed with birdies on 17 and 18 to edge out the win, sealing it in a tense putt-off on the final green. At only 14 years old, Lubanzi had gone toe-to-toe with older competitors in the U23 division, proving his ability to rise to the occasion.

US Kids Canadian Invitational

With a few days to rest, the group explored the sights, visiting Niagara Falls and the lively Clifton Hill before returning to Legends on the Niagara, this time to play the Ushers Creek course.

Jaya didn’t compete in this event, instead caddying for Lubanzi on day one. Lubanzi found himself outside the top 10 after the opening round, but responded on day two with a strong 69 to finish tied for 6th.

Mono started hot with a 73 in a field stacked with NCAA commits, placing him in the top five after day one. Though day two was tougher, his consistent play secured him a podium finish — 3rd place in the 15–18 division.

Junior Players Tour Ontario Shootout

Before their final tournament, the group enjoyed a taste of Canadian sports culture, watching the Hamilton Tiger-Cats edge the Ottawa RedBlacks in a nail-biting CFL game. Soon after, they relocated from Welland to the Hamilton area. Mono departed for California to compete in another event, while Jaya and Lubanzi stayed behind to compete at Century Pines.

Lubanzi was unstoppable in the Bantam Boys division, firing rounds of 66, 72, and 76 to finish at -2 and win by an incredible 21 shots.

Jaya faced a tough Junior Boys field but delivered a solid performance, carding 74, 71, and 71 to finish 4th at even par for the tournament.

Toronto Finale

With a few days left before flying to Miami for the Optimist Championship, Jaya and Lubanzi headed to Toronto to wrap up their Canadian adventure. They watched the IndyCar Toronto practice session and saw the Toronto Blue Jays cruise past the San Francisco Giants in Major League Baseball.

From competitive success to cultural experiences, the trip was a winning combination — a chance to test their skills against top fields, take in the sights, and make memories that will last well beyond the final putt.

Shining at the Optimist: JAGA Takes on North America’s Biggest Stage

Miami - Tantikorn Klinpeng (Mono), Jayawardana Dornan, Lubanzi Tselane, Sean Yates, Shu-Man Hsu (Melinda), and Ramida Witchucharn (Chelsea) recently travelled to Miami, Florida, to compete in the prestigious Optimist International Junior Golf Championship — one of the largest junior golf tournaments in North America, featuring players from 31 different countries.

The event was split into two phases. Week one featured the Boys 14–15 and Girls 13–14 divisions, where Lubanzi and Chelsea represented JAGA. Lubanzi came out strong with an opening round of 68, followed by a 73 and a challenging final day. His performance earned him 5th place, just six shots off the lead. Chelsea also impressed, shooting 75, 76, and 79 to finish tied for 7th in her division.

In the second phase, Mono, Jaya, Sean, and Melinda took to the course. Jaya had an excellent showing in the Boys 15–18 division, finishing 4th at even par with rounds of 71, 74, and 70 — just three shots behind the winner. Mono and Sean both made the cut and steadily improved each day, with Mono closing with a final-round 73 and Sean delivering consistent mid-70s scores. Mono also claimed top honours in the tournament’s long drive competition.

Melinda remained in contention throughout the week, posting better scores each round and showing great composure in a competitive field.

This year’s Optimist Championship challenged players with a unique format, as they competed on two different courses at the renowned Trump Doral.

Outside of tournament play, the group explored Florida, including a trip to the Everglades and plenty of time canoeing in its beautiful waterways. They also toured several universities — a highlight that ties into JAGA’s college placement program, which we’ll share more about in our next story.

Links Golf and Learning: A Summer in Scotland

Scotland - Louis Mahakan and Armaan Gawde joined JAGA’s Head of Golf, Alan Murdoch, to compete in two major events: the U16 Scottish Boys Open at Peebles Golf Club and the McGregor Trophy at Radcliffe on Trent Golf Club.

U16 Scottish Boys Open

 Louis delivered a strong performance, finishing inside the top 20 in a highly competitive field featuring some of Scotland’s best junior golfers. He closed the tournament at three-over-par, highlighted by a brilliant second-round 67 — one of the lowest scores of the week.

After a challenging opening round, Armaan found his stride on day two with a 72, then stepped it up again on day three with a superb 68. Adjusting to the demanding Scottish conditions took time, but his resilience showed in those final two rounds.

Exploring the Home of Golf

 Between tournaments, the boys toured Scotland, visiting St. Andrews University and experiencing the legendary Old Course — widely regarded as the ‘Home of Golf.’

The McGregor Trophy

 Louis departed for the US to compete in the USGA Junior Amateur (more on that below), while Armaan remained in Scotland for the McGregor Trophy. Battling tough rain and wind, he posted a respectable opening-round 74. Unfortunately, he missed the cut by just two strokes, bringing his UK campaign to a close.

College Placement at JAGA: Preparing Students for the Next Step

College placement will be a major focus at JAGA this academic year. Beginning in September, the program will hit the ground running with new initiatives to ensure our student-athletes are well prepared for their futures both academically and athletically.

To strengthen the program, our College Placement Manager, Jordan Laroche, has re-located to Thailand. Being on-site will allow him to work more closely with students and coaches while also traveling to each JAGA campus to provide direct support.

Key elements of the College Placement Program this year include:

• Weekly meetings on Tuesday evenings (continuing from last year)

• SAT preparation built directly into the curriculum

• Multiple practice SAT exams to help students become familiar with the test format and content

This past summer, JAGA students who attended training in Miami had the unique opportunity to tour a variety of universities across the NCAA (Divisions I, II, and III) as well as NAIA programs. Students visited campuses, spoke with university representatives, learned more about academic and athletic programs, and explored college golf facilities firsthand.

Experiences like these provide invaluable perspective. Even if a student does not plan to attend a particular school, visiting campuses helps them understand the differences between larger and smaller institutions and identify what matters most in their own college search. This knowledge allows them to make more informed and confident decisions when the time comes to choose their future university.

JAGA Coaching Summit IV: Advancing The JAGA-Way

The JAGA Coaching Summit IV was held this past week at Black Mountain Golf Club in Thailand, bringing together coaches and staff from across our campuses. The summit served as an opportunity to share coaching philosophies, refine our methods, and continue building on the principles that make JAGA unique.

A central focus of this year’s discussions was the continued development of The JAGA-Way. As the foundation of our training system, The JAGA-Way emphasizes not only technical excellence but also physical preparation, mental strength, and personal growth. The coaches worked together to explore how this philosophy can evolve and stay consistent across all JAGA campuses worldwide.

A highlight of the summit was the introduction of the new JAGA app. All coaches received training on how to integrate the app into their daily work with student-athletes. The app will allow coaches and students to track progress more effectively, provide real-time feedback, and create a stronger connection between training, academics, and performance. This innovation represents another major step forward in JAGA’s mission to provide the best possible environment for student-athletes to succeed.

In attendance at the summit were:

• Arjun Malik – JAGA India

• Robert Fiala – JAGA UAE

• Christian Kjaebro – JAGA Thailand

• Peter Bailey – JAGA Thailand

• Billy Fyfe - JAGA Vietnam

• Alan Murdoch – Head of Golf, JAGA

• Jonathan Bibb – Mental Coach

• Scott Goldie - JAGA Vietnam

• Steve Foisey - JAGA Canada

Together, this group of coaches and leaders continues to push JAGA forward, ensuring that our student-athletes benefit from cutting-edge tools, a shared philosophy, and a global network of support.

JAGA-UAE Getting Ready to Kick Off in Al Ain

This past weekend, JAGA-UAE hosted parents and students at our new boarding school and elite training academy at the Al Ain Equestrian Shooting and Golf Club. In partnership with the Emirates Golf Federation, the academy will provide tailored programs for student-athletes and elite golfers looking to take their game to the next level.

Located in Al Ain, just 90 minutes from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, students will have exclusive access to the JAGA International Training Center, including a driving range, short game areas, Par 3 course, and a floodlit championship course for evening training.

Packages range from daily assessments to full academic-year programs and include:

• Ayal Hotel five-star accommodations

• Transportation to and from Dubai/Abu Dhabi airports and hotel

• JAGA welcome kit (hat, water bottle, polo)

• 3 meals daily plus snacks and water

• Access to the JAGA-Way program and app

• Unlimited range balls and use of JITC facilities

• Club rental if needed

• Access to the 18-hole Championship Course (back 9 floodlit at night)

• Access to the Academy Par 3 Course

• College golf scholarship guidance

• JAGA-Way Belt Test Certificate

In addition to serving local and expat residents, JAGA-UAE will collaborate with the UAE National Team, GCC federations, and European junior tours. Students will also compete year-round for WAGR points and elite tournament invitations.

For more information or to schedule a visit, contact JAGA-UAE at richa@j-aga.com.

Kartik Singh Joins IGPL, Marks Start of Pro Career

 A special congratulations is in order for NPU student, Kartik Singh, as he has made the decision to turn pro!

Kartik will be playing in the new Indian Golf Premier League’s (IGPL) inaugural season, making him the youngest Indian Pro Golfer ever. The IGPL follows a similar team format to LIV Golf, featuring city-owned teams and some of India’s best male and female golfers.

Kartik still has his sights on some of the higher professional tours, but this is a great proving ground for him to elevate his game and work his way towards those bigger tours. 

Congratulations Kartik!

Pun Pun Wins AMG Thailand Junior Golf Championship, Leads Tour

Congratulations to Pun Pun on winning the AMG Thailand Junior Golf Championship, the fourth event on the AMG Thailand Junior Tour. Competing in the Class A-Boys division, Pun Pun claimed another impressive victory.

With this win, he now leads the A-Boys tour by an outstanding 700 points. His dominance on the tour has been remarkable, and we look forward to watching his performances in the remaining five events.