Academy

Unlock the Next Level

The Sir Bob Charles Academy is an elite development programme for dedicated golfers aged 12-20, based in Canterbury.

Built around the complete player, the Academy combines technical excellence, on-course strategy, physical preparation, and mental performance.

Explore the programmeRegister your interest

Player Age

12–20

Weekly Commitment

12–15hrs

Players per pod

3–4

Development pillars

4

All inclusive
Yearly fee

$12k

The Academy

Not Just Lessons.
A Structured Pathway.

The Sir Bob Charles Academy has been created for committed players and supportive families who value structure, accountability, and long-term development. Whether the goal is a college scholarship, a PGA pathway, or success in elite amateur competition, the programme is designed to help you get there.

Developed by former World No. 1 Amateur and three-time NZPGA Coach of the Year Marcus Wheelhouse, the Academy fosters the complete golfer through a proven framework of technical, tactical, physical, and mental performance.

This programme is:

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A structured, high-performance environment for players committed to pursuing their potential
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Squad-based training grouped by level and development stage
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Technology-supported coaching with measurable progress
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A complete player system – technical, tactical, physical, mental
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A one-stop programme covering memberships, gym, coaching, and uniforms
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A clear pathway toward elite amateur, college, or professional golf

This is not:

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A casual junior clinic
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A school holiday programme
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Weekly lessons with one coach
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Entry-level group coaching
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Age-based grouping
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A short-term commitment

For Players Wanting to Go Somewhere

Elite Amateur Golf

Structured development for players competing at regional, national, and international amateur level.

US College Pathway

Technical and performance preparation to support players pursuing NCAA Division I or II college golf scholarships.

PGA Traineeship

For players looking to enter the game professionally through a structured PGA training pathway.

Professional Golf

Long-term development for players with the ability, commitment, and ambition to compete at professional level.

Four Pillars.
One Complete Player.

Every element of performance is trained with intention. Players develop across all four pillars simultaneously, creating the skills, habits, and mindset required to excel in competitive golf.

01

Technical

Build a clear understanding of swing mechanics and ball flight.

Daily technical training is supported by structured practice, video analysis, and measurable performance benchmarks to drive continual improvement.

Trackman
Smart2Move
HackMotion
SAM PuttLab

02

Tactical

Turn skill into scoring.

Tactical training develops smarter decision-making through effective course management, strategic shot selection, distance control, and competition preparation.

On-course work
Decision-making
Tournament prep

03

Physical

Perform better by moving better.

Physical development focuses on building strength, mobility, stability, and speed through structured training, recovery, and regular performance tracking.

TPI-based
Force plate
Speed testing
SportsBox

04

Mental

Strengthen the mental skills that underpin performance.

Players develop resilience, focus, and emotional control through structured routines, breathing techniques, and competition-based preparation.

Pre-shot routine
Pressure drills
Self-awareness

Programme Structure

How the Academy Works

Players train within a structured squad system – grouped by level, not age – designed to deliver individual attention inside a high-performance team environment. Each player is assigned to a pod based on their development stage, with a dedicated coach assigned to their needs.

This structure allows coaching to be genuinely individualised while maintaining the competitive energy of a performance group.

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20–30 total players
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3–4 players per pod
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Technology-supported coaching with measurable progress
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12–15 hours weekly committment
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Term-based testing and reviews
View an example weekly schedule

Developed by the Best.
Delivered in Canterbury.

Marcus Wheelhouse

●  Director of Teaching

The Sir Bob Charles Academy is led by Marcus Wheelhouse, one of New Zealand's most accomplished golfers and respected coaches.

A former World No. 1 Amateur, New Zealand Amateur Champion, and professional tour player for 12 years, Marcus has spent his life competing, learning, and coaching at the highest levels of the game. Since transitioning into coaching, he has been recognised as New Zealand PGA Coach of the Year three consecutive years (2017-2019) and has worked with players ranging from aspiring juniors to New Zealand Open champions and European Tour professionals.

Drawing on more than 30 years of experience as both a player and coach, Marcus developed the Academy's high-performance framework around four essential pillars: Technical, Tactical, Physical, and Mental development. The programme combines proven coaching principles, modern technology, and a structured pathway designed to help young golfers maximise their potential.

As an AAA NZPGA Professional certified in TrackMan, Boditrak, Capto Putting, and TPI, Marcus brings a modern, evidence-based approach to player development. His philosophy is simple: great golfers are built through consistent habits, purposeful practice, and a commitment to developing every aspect of performance.

The Sir Bob Charles Academy exists to provide ambitious young golfers with the same level of structure, coaching, and accountability found in elite sporting environments, preparing them for whatever their next level may be.
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Rodney Yee


●  Head Professional
      NZPGA Coach of the Year 2024

One of New Zealand's most respected coaches and the 2024 NZPGA Coach of the Year, Rodney leads the Sir Bob Charles Academy in Canterbury, bringing more than two decades of experience developing players from junior golf through to national and international success.

Rodney's coaching philosophy is built around simplicity, clarity, and ownership. He helps players understand their game, take responsibility for their development, and build the skills, habits, and confidence required to perform when it matters most – not just on the practice ground, but in competition.

Having coached New Zealand Amateur Champions, International Amateur Champions, Australian Junior Champions, and Junior WorldStar Champions, Rodney understands what long-term player development looks like. His focus within the Sir Bob Charles Academy is creating independent, resilient golfers who can make good decisions under pressure and continue improving long after a lesson has finished.

For Rodney, success is not measured by how well a player practises, but by how well they perform when the score counts.
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One Programme.
Everything Included.

The Sir Bob Charles Academy provides ambitious young golfers with everything they need to develop, compete, and thrive in one connected programme.

Rather than managing separate coaching, memberships, fitness programmes, and competition support, families benefit from a complete development pathway through a single annual investment.

What's included:

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SBC Range Membership
Unlimited access to the Sir Bob Charles Golf Centre's TrackMan Driving Range and practice facilities.
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Clearwater Golf Club Access
Providing opportunities for on-course development and tournament preparation.
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Gym Membership
Full gym access to support each player's physical development through the Sir Bob Charles Academy's TPI-based training programme.
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Weekly Coaching & Personal Performance Plan
Structured coaching delivered throughout the year, supported by an individualised performance plan tailored to each player's goals, strengths, and development priorities.
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Academy Uniform
A complete Sir Bob Charles Academy uniform kit is included as part of the programme.
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Competition & Tournament Support
Access to Sir Bob Charles Academy coaches for guidance and support during key competitions and tournaments.
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A Complete Development Pathway
Technical, tactical, physical, and mental development delivered through a structured high-performance environment designed to help players reach their potential.

Programme Investment

$12,000

Per term: $3,000
Players leave the programme with a clear understanding of their game, the ability to practise effectively, and the confidence to perform under pressure.

They develop both as golfers and as individuals, with a clear pathway toward higher levels of the game.

The Sir Bob Charles Academy provides a complete high-performance environment where players are developed across every area of the game.
This is a structured pathway designed to prepare players for the next level of golf.

Ready to take the next step?

Applications
are now open

Intake is limited. If you have a committed junior golfer ready to take their game further, let's start with a conversation.

Request a conversation

Start their journey now.

Register your interest

Register Your Interest

Tell us about your player and their goals.

Our team will be in touch to discuss the Academy, answer any questions, and determine whether the programme is the right fit.

Places are limited and allocated through a selection process. Current intake is now open.

Thanks your details have been submitted.
We'll be in touch within 2 business days to arrange a conversation.
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Sir Bob Charles
Golf Centre:

26 Clearwater Avenue
Northwood
Christchurch, 8051
New Zealand
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