Collection of Golf's Elite Instructors Form Strategic Golf Channel Academy

(Orlando, Fla.) – Some of golf’s most distinguished PGA of America and LPGA teaching professionals and top instructors are collaborating to form Golf Channel Academy, a dedicated network of teaching facilities committed to growing the business of golf instruction. Backed by Golf Channel, the game’s leading global multimedia and entertainment source, Golf Channel Academy will open 21 charter locations in Spring 2015, and additional elite instructors dedicated to game improvement among students of all abilities also will be invited to join this network of top-tier teaching facilities.

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. Additionally, golfers enrolled at Golf Channel Academy locations will be able to track progress alongside their coach using advanced software to measure specific goals.

“Golf Channel Academy represents a premier group of some of the top PGA of America and LPGA teaching professionals, who all share the goal of providing high-quality instruction with the support of a unified and recognized brand,” said Mike McCarley, president of Golf Channel. “One of the most effective ways for golfers to enjoy the game more is through instruction, which is the driving force behind Golf Channel Academy. Building upon Golf Channel’s appreciation of the direct impact PGA professionals have on growing the game, we will continue to focus on opportunities that encourage more golfers to play more golf.”

The inaugural group of Golf Channel Academy coaches represent 15 states and one province, 11 Golf Magazine Top 100 Teachers, seven book authors, 12 coaches who appear on Golf Digest’s list of “Best Teachers in State” for 2013-’14, and the current LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals National president:
* Henry Brunton, Henry Brunton Golf, Maple, Ontario, Canada
* Dom DiJulia, Dom DiJulia School of Golf, New Hope, PA
* Chuck Evans, Chuck Evans Golf, Kansas City, MO
* Jeff Fisher, Fisher Bryan Golf Academy, Mesa, AZ
* Martin Hall, Ibis Golf & CC, West Palm Beach, FL
* Virgil Herring, Westhaven GC, Franklin, TN
* Dave Kendall, Kendall Academy of Golf, Ypsilanti, MI
* Charlie King, Reynolds Plantation, Greensboro, GA
* Rick Krebs, Waverly Woods GC, Marriottsville, MD
* Rod Lidenberg, Halla Greens GolfCourse and Training Center, Chanhassen, MN
* Anders Mattson, Saratoga National GC, Saratoga Springs, NY
* Kenny Nairn, Celebration GC, Celebration, FL
* Rob Noel, Rob Noel Golf Academy, Abita Springs, LA
* Chris O’Connell, The Plane Truth, The Courses at Watters Creek, Plano, TX
* Chad Phillips, Blue Giraffe Golf Institute, Tucker, GA
* Kip Puterbaugh, Aviara Golf Academy, Carlsbad, CA
* Dana Rader, Dana Rader Golf School, Charlotte, NC
* Jeff Ritter, Poppy Hills Golf Course, Pebble Beach, CA
* Jon Sinclair, Sinclair’s Golf Training Center, Euless, TX
* Kellie Stenzel, Palm Beach Par 3, Palm Beach, FL
* Trent Wearner, Trent Wearner Golf Academy, Englewood, CO

The impetus behind Golf Channel Academy stems 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 a “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 utilize 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.