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WHAT IS GOLF CHANNEL ACADEMY

 

Golf Channel Academy is a network of carefully selected, top-tier golf coaches across the US supported by Golf Channel, the leader in golf entertainment, news and instruction. Each coach has been carefully selected and vetted to be considered the best of the best.  Golfers enrolled at Golf Channel Academy locations will not only have the opportunity to learn from the very best coaches in the game today, but will be able to track their progress using advanced swing analysis tools and a proprietary player-coach communication platform that will accelerate their progress.

FAQ

 

How is Golf Channel Academy different from other golf instruction options?

 

The underlying philosophy of Golf Channel Academy—which all of our coaches reinforce—is that good coaching takes place over a period of time, not just one lesson. The relationship between coach and student is more than just “one and done.” This is how “teaching” becomes “coaching,” which we describe as an on-going relationship devoted to long-lasting improvement. Everything about Golf Channel Academy is devoted to enhancing the “coaching” experience for both teacher and student.

 

 

What’s the relationship between this Golf Channel Academy and the Golf Channel Academy I see on TV?

 

Golf Channel Academy is the hands-on coaching extension of the cable network’s instruction programming, which includes such shows as The Golf Fix, Lesson Tee Live, and School of Golf. Golf Channel Academy allows you to receive personalized instruction from the very best coaches in the game, including many of the teachers who you see on TV. And you should see many more Golf Channel Academy coaches making appearances on Golf Channel instructional programs in the future.

 

 

How are the coaches chosen to be part of Golf Channel Academy?

 

Golf Channel Academy’s primary mission is to bring together the best coaches throughout North America under one network. These coaches have a proven track record of creating significant and sustained improvement in their students. They demonstrate a clear passion for their craft and learning, and are continually striving to enhance their teaching skills so that they can produce even better results for their students.

 

Golf Channel Academy’s executive team–as well as experts from the golf world and academia–has put years of extensive research into identifying these qualities and assembling its initial group of coaches. A number of these coaches were selected with the help of Proponent Group, a golf instructor membership-based organization that features hundreds of the game’s top coaches (a large percentage of which form the nucleus of Golf Channel Academy). Golf Channel Academy will continue to study the instruction landscape and add coaches in the future to provide golfers everywhere a chance to learn from the very best.

GOLF CHANNEL ACADEMY PRESS RELEASES

 

Orlando, Florida. (APRIL 2, 2015  )

Golf Channel Academy BEGINS TO ROLL-OUT NATIONWIDE NEXT WEEK.  Golf’s Top Instructors Come Together to Form Dedicated Network of Teaching Facilities Backed by Golf Channel

 

Golf Channel Academy, a dedicated network of teaching facilities and a hands-on extension of Golf Channel’s Golf Channel Academy primetime instruction programming, will begin to roll out next week with an initial 57 locations in 26 states and Canada.

 

Golf Channel Academy offers golfers the opportunity to receive personalized instruction from some of the game’s finest coaches, including 46 lead teaching professionals at launch. The primary mission of Golf Channel Academy is to bring these top teachers together, and make it easier for avid amateur golfers to experience the benefits of high-quality instruction. Each location’s teaching philosophy will be based on that coach’s proven methods that elevated him or her to the top of the golf teaching profession. A directory of all Golf Channel Academy locations and additional information on the facilities, programs, PGA of America and LPGA teaching credentials, and the inaugural group of more than 190 lead and staff coaches can be found at GolfChannelAcademy.com.

 

“Golf Channel Academy is a natural brand extension of our popular, high-quality instructional programming,” said Mike McCarley, president, Golf Channel. “Our viewers will have the opportunity to interact with Golf Channel’s brand beyond traditional media platforms as Golf Channel Academy facilities open in markets across North America. Golf Channel works closely with PGA of America and LPGA teaching professionals and values their ability to enhance golfer’s enjoyment of the game, which ultimately encourages their students to play more golf. With this goal in mind, Golf Channel Academy coaches are committed to engaging golfers through instruction to make the game more accessible, inviting and fun.”

 

Golf Channel Academy coaches all share the philosophy that good coaching takes place over a period of time, and that the relationship between coach and student is an on-going one devoted to long-lasting improvement. The inaugural group of Golf Channel Academy lead coaches includes:

 

Arizona

  • Jeff Fisher                    Fisher Bryan Golf Academy, Longbow G.C., Mesa

  • Lynn Marriott                VISION54, Talking Stick G.C., Scottsdale

  • Pia Nilsson                   VISION54, Talking Stick G.C., Scottsdale

  • Mark Polich        Mark Polich Golf, Tucson

  • Craig Renshaw            Legacy Golf Performance Center, Phoenix

 

Canada

  • Henry Brunton            Henry Brunton Golf at Eagles Nest G.C., Maple, Ontario

 

California

  • Henry Brunton            Strawberry Farms G.C., Irvine

  • Don Parsons                Don Parsons Golf Instruction at Twin Lakes GC, Santa Barbara

  • Kip Puterbaugh           Kip Puterbaugh’s Aviara Golf Academy, Carlsbad

  • Jeff Ritter                    MTT Performance at Poppy Hills GC, Pebble Beach

 

Colorado

  • Trent Wearner             Trent Wearner Golf Academy, Meridian G.C., Englewood

 

Connecticut

  • Paul Ramee, Jr.           Bull’s Bridge G.C., South Kent

 

Florida

  • Ed Bowe                     Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort, Amelia Island

  • Fred Griffin                Grand Cypress Academy of Golf, Orlando

  • Martin Hall                  Martin Hall Golf, Ibis G&CC, West Palm Beach

  • Kenny Nairn               Celebration Golf Academy, Celebration G.C., Celebration

  • Kellie Stenzel              Kellie Stenzel Golf Academy at Palm Beach Par 3, Palm Beach

 

Georgia

  • Charlie King                Reynolds Golf Academy, Reynolds Plantation, Greensboro

  • Chad Phillips               Blue Giraffe Golf Institute, Alpharetta

 

Hawaii

  • Claude Brousseau       Ko Olina G.C., Kapolei (Oahu)

 

Illinois

  • Todd Sones                 Todd Sones Impact Golf at White Deer Run Golf Club, Vernon

                                    Hills

  • Kevin Weeks               Cog Hill G&CC, Lemont

 

Kansas

  • Chuck Evans               Chuck Evans Golf at Canyon Farms G.C., Lenexa

 

Kentucky

  • Ralph Landrum           World of Golf, Florence

  • Larry Ward                 High Performance Golf Academy, Lexington

 

Louisiana

  • Rob Noel                     Rob Noel Golf Academy at Money Hill G&CC, Abita Springs

                                    Rob Noel Golf Academy at Big Easy Sportsplex, Jefferson

                                    Rob Noel Golf Academy at Carter Plantation, Springfield

 

Maryland

  • Rick Krebs                  Waverly Woods G.C., Marriottsville

  • Mitchell Spearman      Mitchell Spearman Golf Academy at Oak Creek Club, Upper

                                    Marlboro

 

Massachusetts

  • Jane Frost                    Jane Frost Golf Performance Center, East Sandwich

  • Skip Guss                    GolfRite, Southborough Golf Practice & Learning Center,

                                    Southborough

  • Cathy MacPherson      Cathy MacPherson Golf at Ferncroft CC, Middleton

 

Michigan

  • Dave Kendall              Kendall Academy at Miles of Golf, Ypsilanti

                                    Gull Lake View G.C. & Resort, Augusta 

Minnesota

  • Rod Lidenberg            Halla Greens Executive GC and Training Center, Chanhassen

 

Missouri

  • Chuck Evans               Chuck Evans Golf at Tiffany Greens G.C., Kansas City

                                          Chuck Evans Golf at Staley Farms G.C., Kansas City

                                    Chuck Evans Golf at Drumm Farm G.C., Independence

Nevada

  • Mike Davis                  Royal Links G.C., Las Vegas

 

New Hampshire

  • Jason Sedan                Lake Winnipesaukee G.C., New Durham

 

New Jersey

  • Jason Birnbaum           New Jersey Golf Academy, Roseland

 

New York

  • Kelley Brooke             Golf Channel Academy with Kelley Brooke, New York City

  • Anders Mattson          Saratoga National G.C., Saratoga Springs

  • Mitchell Spearman      Mitchell Spearman Golf Academy at Doral Arrowwood, Rye

                                    Brook

 

North Carolina

  • Dana Rader                 Dana Rader Golf School at Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge, Charlotte

 

Pennsylvania

  • Dom DiJulia                DiJulia Golf, Jericho National G.C., New Hope

 

Tennessee

  • Virgil Herring              Higher Performance Golf Academy at Westhaven G.C., Franklin

 

Texas

  • Chris O’Connell          The Plane Truth at The Courses at Watters Creek, Plano

  • Jon Sinclair                  Sinclair’s Golf Training Center, Euless

  • Brech Spradley           Barton Creek Golf Academy, Austin

 

Virginia

  • Chris George               Golf Academy at Kingsmill Resort, Williamsburg

  • Erika Larkin                Larkin Golf Learning Community at Virginia Oaks G.C.,

                                                Gainesville

  • Mitchell Spearman      Mitchell Spearman Golf Academy at Belmont CC, Ashburn

Mitchell Spearman Golf Academy at Dominion Valley CC, Haymarket                                      

 

Washington

  • Gregg Rogers              Gregg Rogers Golf Performance Center, Bellevue 

Gregg Rogers Golf Performance Center, Willows Run G.C., Redmond

                                    Gregg Rogers Golf Performance Center, Safeco Field, Seattle 

 

 

ABOUT GOLF CHANNEL

Golf Channel is a multimedia, golf entertainment and services company based in Orlando, Fla. Serving the most-affluent audience in all of television, Golf Channel – co-founded by Arnold Palmer in 1995 and now part of the NBC Sports Group – is available in more than 120 million homes in 83 countries and 12 languages around the world. Exclusive partnerships with the world’s top tours allow Golf Channel to feature more live golf coverage than all other networks combined, as well as a programming schedule distinguished by golf’s highest-quality news, instruction and original programming. Golf Channel’s digital platforms, headed by GolfChannel.com, are the leading golf destinations on the Internet, delivering unmatched coverage of the world of golf. Fans are able to enjoy 24/7 live streaming of Golf Channel content through Golf Live Extra and select programming is simulcast via SiriusXM’s PGA TOUR Radio. In addition, Golf Channel connects the world to golf through a wide array of digital services including Golf Channel Mobile; GolfNow, the world’s largest online booking platform; GolfAdvisor.com, a golf course ratings and review portal; the interactive Golf Channel Academy instructional app; and the Golf Channel Am Tour, the world’s largest amateur golf tour.

 

Media Contacts:

Karen Moraghan

Hunter Public Relations

908/963-6013

kmoraghan@hunter-pr.com

 

Jeff Szklinski

Golf Channel Communications

407/248-3267

Jeff.Szklinski@golfchannel.com

 

David Schaefer

Golf Channel Communications

407/355-4542

David.Schaefer@golfchannel.com

 

 

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Golf Channel Academy Brings Together Golf's Elite Coaches In Strategic Alliance

 

Orlando, Fla. (Jan. 15, 2014) - Thirty of golf's most distinguished PGA of America and LPGA teaching professionals are among the inaugural coaches in the newly formed Golf Channel Academy, a dedicated network of facilities committed to growing the opportunities for golf instruction. Backed by Golf Channel, the game's leading global multimedia and entertainment source, Golf Channel Academy will open its charter locations in Spring 2015. 


Golf Channel Academy is the first network devoted to efficiently expanding the business of golf instruction through a unique marketing partnership with selected coaches and their facilities, and availing itself of a variety of Golf Channel promotional and customized marketing tools. Golf Channel's support represents a notable shift in how teaching, coaching, and player development are presented, promoted, and delivered. 

Golf Channel Academy's current team of 30 lead coaches features some of the best and brightest teachers in the game today. And that's not by accident, as years of research by Golf Channel Academy's executive team have gone into identifying the inaugural group. 

The first 30 Golf Channel Academy coaches represent 18 states and one province, 12 Golf Magazine Top 100 Teachers, 7 book authors, 15 coaches on Golf Digest's list of "Best Teachers in State" for 2013-14, and the current LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals National president:


• Jason Birnbaum New Jersey Golf Academy, Roseland, NJ
• Kelley Brooke Randall's Island Golf & Sports Center, New York, NY 
• Henry Brunton Henry Brunton Golf Academy, Maple, Ontario, Canada 
• Mike Davis Royal Links Golf Club, Las Vegas, NV
• Dom DiJulia DiJulia Golf, Jericho National G.C., New Hope, PA 
• Chuck Evans Chuck Evans Golf, Tiffany Greens G.C., Kansas City, MO 
• Jeff Fisher Fisher Bryan Golf Academy, Longbow G.C., Mesa, AZ 
• Fred Griffin Grand Cypress Academy of Golf, Orlando, FL 
• Martin Hall Martin Hall Golf, Ibis G. & C.C., West Palm Beach, FL 
• Virgil Herring High Performance Golf Academy, Westhaven G.C., Franklin, TN 
• Dave Kendall Kendall Academy of Golf/Miles of Golf, Ypsilanti, MI 
• Charlie King Reynolds Golf Academy, Reynolds Plantation, Greensboro, GA 
• Rick Krebs Waverly Woods G.C., Marriottsville, MD 
• Ralph Landrum World of Golf, Florence, KY
• Rod Lidenberg Halla Greens Executive GC, Chanhassen, MN 
• Anders Mattson Saratoga National G.C., Saratoga Springs, NY 
• Kenny Nairn Celebration Golf Academy, Celebration G.C., Celebration, FL 
• Rob Noel Rob Noel Golf Academy, Money Hill G&CC, Abita Springs, LA 
• Chris O'Connell The Plane Truth, The Courses at Watters Creek, Plano, TX 
• Don Parsons Don Parsons Golf, Twin Lakes GC, Santa Barbara, CA 
• Chad Phillips Blue Giraffe Golf Institute, Alpharetta, GA 
• Mark Polich Mark Polich Golf, Tucson, AZ
• Kip Puterbaugh Aviara Golf Academy, Carlsbad, CA 
• Dana Rader Dana Rader Golf, Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge, Charlotte, NC 
• Craig Renshaw Legacy Golf Performance Center, Phoenix, AZ 
• Jeff Ritter MTT Performance, Poppy Hills GC, Pebble Beach, CA 
• Jon Sinclair Sinclair's Golf Training Center, Euless, TX 
• Kellie Stenzel Kellie Stenzel Golf, Palm Beach Par 3, Palm Beach, FL 
• Larry Ward High Performance Golf Academy, Lexington, KY 
• Trent Wearner Trent Wearner Golf Academy, Meridian G.C., Englewood, CO 

Golf Channel Academy coaches will benefit from a wide-spectrum of business consulting services and products addressing marketing, sales, technology, and back-office solutions needs, as well as shared best practices across the network. Coaches also will have the opportunity to appear on instructional programming across Golf Channel's television and digital platforms. These initial academies include over 75 associate coaches, who side-by-side with these instructors, will also be available to work with students.

The idea for Golf Channel Academy began from a collaborative idea between Todd Wilson, chief executive officer of Golf Channel Academy, and Scott Novell, president of Golf Channel Academy. Wilson based this golf instruction concept on the "brand-within-a-brand" strategy employed by NASCAR, where he was the long-tenured senior vice president and chief financial officer. 

Golf Channel Academy also will draw on the network and experience of its executive vice president Lorin Anderson, founder and president of Proponent Group, a golf instructor membership-based organization that is now part of the foundation of Golf Channel Academy.

"Our business model is based on acquiring the top teaching talent in the industry and building a marketing and business services infrastructure to support it, thus achieving a scale and synergy not previously seen in this part of the industry," said Anderson.

Proponent Group, golf's premier membership-based service company for top-echelon instructors and coaches-launched in 2007 to offer dedicated golf instructors a unique set of business-oriented benefits to help enhance their teaching skills and their businesses-has merged with the newly formed Golf Channel Academy. Anderson believes this merger will make the organization an even more important resource to its 450 instructor members.

"It was time for an infusion of talent and energy that could take Proponent Group to the next level, and this is it," says Anderson. "We are already starting to tap into the unmatched array of marketing, business, and social-media resources Golf Channel has to offer and are pushing them out to our members."

Golf Channel Academy plans to open more than 100 locations in the U.S. and Canada within five years and will lean on Proponent Group's highly qualified membership to fuel that growth.

ABOUT GOLF CHANNEL
Golf Channel is a multimedia, golf entertainment and services company based in Orlando, Fla. Golf Channel, co-founded by Arnold Palmer in 1995 and now part of the NBC Sports Group, is available in more than 120 million homes and 83 countries worldwide. Exclusive partnerships with the world's top tours allow Golf Channel to feature more live golf coverage than all other networks combined, as well as a programming schedule distinguished by golf's highest-quality news, instruction and original programming. Golf Channel's digital platforms, headed by Golf Channel.com, are the leading golf destinations on the Internet, delivering unmatched coverage of the world of golf. Fans are able to enjoy 24/7 live streaming of Golf Channel content through Golf Live Extra and select programming is simulcast via SiriusXM's PGA TOUR Radio. In addition, Golf Channel connects the world to golf through a wide array of digital services including Golf Channel Mobile; GolfNow, the world's largest online booking platform; Golf Advisor.com, a golf course ratings and review portal; the interactive Golf Channel Academy instructional app and services; and the Golf Channel Am Tour, the world's largest amateur golf tour.

 

Contact:
Karen Moraghan
Hunter Public Relations
908/963-6013
kmoraghan@hunter-pr.com

Jeff Szklinski
Golf Channel Communications
407/248-3267
Jeff.Szklinski@golfchannel.com

David Schaefer
Golf Channel Communications
407/355-4542
David.Schaefer@golfchannel.com

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