BLUE BELL, Pa. — (August 15, 2006) – There are many people in the golf industry who talk about Growth of the Game initiatives. Unfortunately, far fewer actually do something about it.
The membership at Meadowlands CC, the private country club situated in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, is joining with the husband-and-wife professional team of Paul and Jennifer Barnsley to take strong action toward growing the game.
Today, Meadowlands debuted its new, state-of-the-art instructional facility that is unlike anything in the region. Along with the club’s fine practice range, outstanding short game practice area, and two spacious putting greens, Meadowlands now offers the most complete facility for teaching the game of golf – to everyone from novice golfers to the most accomplished players. And, Meadowlands invites anyone – members as well as non-members – to take advantage of its instructional program.
"We decided that the best way to grow our club was to make it the best place in the area to learn to play the game," said Rich Ochroch, Meadowlands green chairman and one of the driving forces behind the project. "We already had a very playable and enjoyable members’ course that was not intimidating and provided a wonderful golf experience for any level of player. With the help of Paul and Jennifer Barnsley, we added the rest of the components."
The major component is the indoor instructional facility, a golf studio that rivals the ones at the big-name golf academies throughout the south. The Barnsleys gained
experience in a high-level golf academy during their 10-year tenure at the Hank Haney Golf School in Texas. Many of the features found at that facility have been brought north to Meadowlands.
The spacious golf studio features the latest Vector Pro Launch Monitor system for swing analysis. The monitor analyzes and displays statistical evidence on everything from swing speed, ball speed, launch angle, spin rates and much more.
Also, the room features three video cameras, mounted a different angles to capture down-the-line and face-on views.
The ultimate in quality reproduction is ensured by a series of ultra-bright klieg lights that allow the fastest camera shutter speeds so that the swing can be illustrated without blurring.
The final enhancement is provided through the ability of the instructors to e-mail video footage of a student’s swing, with voice analysis over top of the video.
"The beauty of the whole program is that students usually go away to a golf school, then have no place to go for reinforcement," explained Paul Barnsley. "Now, they can get the same high level of instruction and technology that is offered at a school like Hank Haney’s, but they can then drive a few minutes to come back for future lessons or if they have a problem."
In the fall, the Barnsleys are offering a series of one-day golf schools that will be open to the public. The schools, with a 4-to-1 pupil-instructor ratio, also offer a free follow-up lesson available at a later date.
For more information about Meadowlands CC and its unique instructional programs, go to the website at www.meadowlandscc.com or call the pro shop at 215-646-5833.
Contact:
TL Golf Services
610-279-9220
tleodora@aol.com
