Twins to focus on golf

Hole in one: Bryan and Audrey getting their golf clubs out of the buggy as they get ready to play a round of golf. — Pic courtesy of Tan family

BUDDING golfer Bryan Tan Wei Han has created a personal record at the Stars Learning Academy, as the 13-year-old has emerged as its youngest student to pass the Cambridge IGCSE exam with flying colours.

Bryan scored straight As for Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. He also got an A for his O-Levels English, which is recognised as equivalent to IGCSE.

His twin Audrey Tan Wei Yen also did well, scoring three As and two Bs in the same exam.

Bryan and Audrey are the youngest in their class to sit for the IGCSE, which is usually taken by students aged between 14 to 16 after a two-year preparation.

The twins did theirs within 10 months.

The teenagers were each rewarded with a smartphone and tablet for doing well. They also went on a holiday with their friends in Port Dickson.

“We were quite surprised with the results, and expected Audrey to do better as she is more disciplined compared to her brother,” said their mother Quah Bee Hua.

Their teachers were confident that they were ready. They also ensured they were prepared. - Quah Bee Hua

 

Bryan said he wasn’t expecting to pass the Chemistry paper, as there were some concepts that he wasn’t sure of.

Quah credits her children’s results to their teachers’ diligence and dedication.

“We had some concerns as to whether the twins could complete their exam preparation within a year and whether they could cope with the stress.

“But their teachers were confident that they were ready. They also ensured they were prepared by having weekly tests to check on the students’ progress,” said the housewife.

On their unusual choice of education, Quah said that the family wanted the twins to focus on playing golf full-time.

“Golf requires a lot of time for practice and competitions. Competitions take an average of four days.

“We found out about the academy shortly after the twins completed their six-year primary school education. And what the academy offered was ideal for us,” she said.

Bryan said having to study on his own meant that it required a lot of discipline.

“I studied for at least one hour after dinner. I also completed plenty of past year papers,” he said.

“Studies and homework had to come first. But I did go out to play with friends staying around my condo in the evenings and for family outings like movies.

“Now I have more time to read and play social games,” said the boy who enjoys young adult fantasy books by authors like Joseph Delaney, Anthony Horowitz and JK Rowling.

On golf, Bryan said it was a sport he enjoyed after learning how to play the game.

“I hope to improve my skill now that I can focus on playing golf,” he said.

Bryan said the two-hour daily practice sessions he used to get during his primary school days weren’t enough.

“I can also train to lower my handicap from the existing 11 to below 10.”

Audrey, who previously took up rhythmic gymnastics, has also decided to focus on golf and improve her handicap.

Quah said her children used to play with her husband Tan Yee Kiet when they were younger.

“But their golfing skills are now much better than their father’s, so they don’t play together anymore!”

“We introduced our children (including our older daughter Esther) to tennis and swimming when they were younger to encourage them to try as many sports as possible,” she said.

Asked what the twins would be doing next, Quah said: “Besides focusing on their golf training and maybe even going overseas for competitions, they will also be taking up IGCSE Arts subjects like Economics and Accounting.”

“We hope to send them to golf college in the United States when they are of college age.”

Stars Learning Academy founder and academic consultant M. Sasikumar said the learning centre in Kelana Jaya offers private coaching for students and focuses on producing quality results.

We’re a preparatory centre for those taking the IGCSE and A-Levels exams as private candidates. - M. Sasikumar

 

“We’re a preparatory centre for those taking the IGCSE and A-Levels exams as private candidates,” said Sasikumar, who personally oversees the syllabus for Maths and Science subjects.

He said the students are treated according to their capability, and are allowed to take their exams depending on how prepared they are.

The academy presently has 40 students and seven teachers. Classes are held from 8am to 1pm on weekdays, with two subjects taught each day. The sessions are held until 4pm when it is closer to the exam.