Tony Jacklin believes a strong mind is just as important as a good golf swing

Tony Jacklin is looking to unearth youngsters with the mental toughness required to become a major champion after opening his first golfing academy based in the UK.

Jacklin hopes to attract a number of keen youngsters to the game through his academy at Magnolia Park, which was unveiled last week during a star-studded celebrity golf day.

The two-time major champion has forged a partnership with the owners of the Buckinghamshire resort, where development of the facilities will continue into next year.

Jacklin is designing a par-three championship course which is scheduled to open later this year, but for now his attention is on promoting the game through his new academy.

Attracting juniors to golf and promoting the game through encouraging them is one of our main objectives

"I’ve had academies before in America, but it is my first academy based in the UK," Jacklin told Skysports.com. "The opportunity came up at the right time really. We hit it off with the owners here, the place is expanding, and we’re going to put a par-three course in later in the year that I’m designing.

"The academy is an extension of friendship basically. It's an opportunuity to collaborate and promote Magnolia Park as the great destination it is.

"It will be an academy for all ages, with a junior programme as well. Attracting juniors to golf and promoting the game through encouraging them is one of our main objectives."

The likes of Justin Rose, Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and Ian Poulter have been flying the flag for English golf for many years now, and Jacklin feels the next generation of home players need to back up their talent with desire and determination.

Maximising desire

"Wanting more is what makes great players," he added. "You can’t teach desire, you’ve got it in you or you haven’t. There will be somebody out there right now destined for greatness, and they will have that desire and be able to maximise it.

"Mental toughness goes along with determination and desire. There’s a lot of pretty golf swings about, but a good swing alone won’t get it done. It’s golf swings that work under pressure and in all circumstances. But more than that, it comes down to the individual who says he wants to be better than everybody else."

Sky Sports are supporting the return of the British Masters to the European Tour schedule in October this season, and Jacklin is delighted to welcome back what used to be one of the most pretigious events in golf.

He said: "I won it twice and never understood why it disappeared. I’m just happy to see it has been resurrected. The tournament brings back fond memories, like when I made the first televised hole-in-one in 1967. Back then, only the final three holes were on TV.

"I'm happy to see another tournament back on British soil, and Woburn is such a great venue. It will be fantastic for British golf fans to have another opportunity to see top players in action."

Meanwhile, Jacklin is also pleased with the progress of his son, Sean, who made the cut on his European Tour debut at the Joburg Open earlier this year and is hoping to get his Web.com card for next season.

"Sean is playing fine. He got his Sunshine Tour card this year, and he qualified for his first European Tour event at the Joburg Open and did well to play all 4 four rounds.

"He is trying to pre-qualify for the Web.com tour this summer, and if any opportunities arise, he’ll take them. But I’m confident he’s on the up and up and improving. He is gaining confidence all the time and he’s very determined. We continue to encourage that."

Tony Jacklin was speaking to Sky Sports online at the launch of the brand new Tony Jacklin Academy at Magnolia Park Golf and Country Club for more information please visit www.magnoliapark.co.uk