Prestonwood enhances its already starry list of amenities by constructing what may be the finest golf learning, practice and club-fitting facility on the East Coast.
(Cary, N.C.) – Prestonwood Country Club Director of Golf Operations Larry Conner recalls a past discussion he had with Club owners regarding the prospect of constructing an entirely new learning facility and hiring of a new director of instruction for the Club.
Conner presented a print-out of extensive interactive website instruction posted by a long-time colleague of his, Tom Ream. After reviewing the packet of information for an evening, Prestonwood’s owners returned to Conner the next day and told him: “You hire Tom Ream and we’ll build you a golf learning center.”
Less than three years later, Conner got his wish. In early July, Prestonwood Country Club debuted what will stand as one of the country’s finest Golf Learning Centers, employing top golf instructors — led by Ream — and housing the latest state-of-the-art technology and equipment. The Club’s new Learning Center provides members of all playing ability a unique, multi-disciplinary and personalized approach with proven results intended to improve their games and lower their scores.
The 2,500-square-foot building includes indoor and outdoor bays, and a 10,000-square-foot grass teaching area tee box. In addition, a V1 swing analysis video system, indoor putting studio with the S.A.M. PuttLab putting analysis system, S.A.M. BalanceLab, K-Vest, and TrackMan launch monitor highlight the most advanced and comprehensive golf teaching and club-fitting technology anywhere.
“I’m like a kid at Christmas,” said Ream. “Everything a golf instructor could want is right here.”
Architect Erich Wilkinson — along with Conner, Ream and Prestonwood General Manager Matt Massei, former director of golf at the Pinehurst Resort — visited and researched other notable golf learning facilities up and down the East Coast, including Pinehurst and Pine Needles, for design models. “We got a good footprint and we modified it for the space we had here,” said Conner, Prestonwood’s director of golf since 2008. “We can now safely say we offer complete game-improvement programs to meet all our members’ needs.”
The Prestonwood CC philosophy focuses on five core instruction areas including the long game, short game, putting, golf fitness and club fitting, specializing in customized one- to four-day game improvement programs for individuals and groups as well as year-round golf clinics and member sponsored corporate golf programs. In addition, Prestonwood offers strength training and golf specific exercise programs from its Titleist Performance Institute Certified Instructor, Mike Barker.
Prestonwood Country Club is best known for its acclaimed golf courses, outstanding facilities and a wide array of tournaments for men, women, seniors and junior events, most notably the SAS Championship PGA Champions Tour event for the past 10 years. It also hosted the Nationwide Tour and qualifiers for the United States Open.
Originally designed by architect Tom Jackson, the three golf courses underwent recent renovations at the hand of Prestonwood resident and member Rick Robbins, a former Jack Nicklaus design protégé who has achieved worldwide success since going out on his own. The Meadows Course reopened in 2009 and the Fairways Course, along with the Club’s PGA Family Tee Course, reopened in fall of 2010. The Highlands Course is currently under renovation and will re-open in September 2011.
Little wonder Prestonwood has gained renown as a “golfing” club. A recent count shows that there are more than 40 Prestonwood products currently on partial or full collegiate golf scholarships, including Lee Bedford (Wake Forest), Michael Cromie (Georgia) and Taelor Ruben (Ole Miss).
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