Czech Golf Federation training took place last week at the beautiful Albatross GC near to Prague. This newly opened course has magnificent practice facilities for both long and short game training.

Keith led the Development squad training for 10 players with the assistance of CGF coaches Kino Navarro and Rene Pink. These 12-15 year olds, both boys and girls, were assessed in long and short game skills with a strong emphasis on developing reliable putting strokes.

The Performance squad training involved only the female members as Keith has been focusing intensely on their short game techniques and skills over the last three months in preparation for the European Girls Team Championships in Denmark and the European Ladies Individual Championships in the Czech Republic - both take place in July.

On the final day a boys 'trials' day took place to aid selection of the 6 players to be chosen for the Boys European Team Championships in Turkey in July. Ten players were invited and the day involved discussion about the tournament, training on long and short game and then some intensive short game skills challenges with a medal round being played in the afternoon.

It was a tough day for the boys as the weather was cold, windy and wet but they all did well and the CGF gained a much valued assessment opportunity.

Those who know Keith will have either seen him play or coach with the very attractive patterned golf ball - the Truvis - well here's some great news for all those who want to get hold of some (so that I can stop giving mine away at last!!)

Truvis.com is now up and running with it's new website - www.truvis.com so go take a look and watch out for some great developments to follow. Just take a look at the popularity amongst Tour Players none of whom are paid to play it.

Just a little history for you all -- 5 years ago Julian Morley the inventor of this great concept came to me when I was EGU National Coach and showed me his patterned golf balls. I liked them immediately not just because they are funky and attractive but because when I hit pitch and chip shots I could see the spin on the ball and how it reacted on landing much more clearly via the patterns. Then I tried putting with them - it was just unbelieveable how effective they were - I couldn't miss inside 10 feet. From that moment onwards I've been the No 1 fan and supporter ......... I encouraged the England team players to use them and I played on the Senior Tour 2005-07 with them, putting better than I did on the European Tour on the early 80's. I've never stopped using them since and nor will most players once they've experienced the visual and feedback advantages ........ go find out - www.truvis.com - you won't look back!

The CGF are currently finalising a training week for their Performance squad at Costa Ballena Golf near to Jerez from December 1st.

The Performance squad has now been selected and will include four young newcomers - all 16 years old .... Ales Prochazka and Daniel Suchan with handicaps of 0 and +1 both played in the European Boys Team Championships in Holland earlier this year. Kate Krasova and Adela Cellenova have yet to gain international team selection but with handicaps of 0 and 1 should do so in 2010. These players have now moved from the Development squad so that Keith can focus more on their international development and experience. They join other young players on the squad such as Klara Spilkova who won two international events and finished in the top 5 in four others - the highlight of her year was playing in the Junior Solheim Cup in the USA the week prior to the main event. She ended the year off a handicap of +4 - not bad for a 14 year old!

From October 13-15th, 20 x  younger players will be assessed in Prague at the Cechie Golf Centre and the top 12 will be selected to the Development squad for training with Keith and two local coaches Rene Pink and Kino Navarro.

Czech golf made historic progress in 2009 and if progess continues to be so successful it won't be long before a few of these youngsters names are being heard of in the UK and even around the World.

Derby College squads begin their training programmes on September 10th and 11th with assessment days at Morley Hayes Golf Club.

The 10 players who commenced last year have had some excellent successes this year to date and will I'm sure be looking forward to a committed training schedule to keep enhancing and developing their golfing skills.

10 new recruits have enrolled and begin their first year at Derby College. I look forward to meeting them and seeing their swings next month.