HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. May 15, 2009-Golf industry veteran Blaik Shew has been named Chief Executive Officer for Junior Golf Corporation-the operating entity for the Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy, the International Junior Golf Tour and Heritage Academy.
The Hilton Head, Island S.C.-based Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy (IJGA) is the world’s premier full-time junior golf training facility. Haney and his elite teaching and coaching team train junior golfers from 22 different states and more than 23 countries. The International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) is the nation’s second-largest junior golf tour and Heritage Academy is one of the country’s leading private middle/high schools for students pursuing both academic and athletic excellence.
The IJGA-in conjunction with the IJGT and Heritage Academy-is the world’s only organization that combines training, competition and academics for serious junior golfers in grades 5 through 12. The Academy’s full-time boarding program offers a combination of premium golf instruction and rigorous academic studies to help young men and women maximize their potential as student-athletes.
Haney-the personal instructor to the world’s No. 1 player, Tiger Woods-has been the IJGA’s Director of Golf Instruction since 2007. Haney provides personalized instruction to every student during the school year. His team of 16 golf instructors work with academy students daily on an individualized training curriculum, ensuring each student achieves the most rapid progress possible.
Shew-who has more than 25 years of experience in the golf industry and sports academies’ business-comes to the IJGA from Hemisphere Resorts, where he was the President of the IMG Resort Academies division. Prior to joining Hemisphere Resorts, Shew was President and a Director of David Leadbetter Enterprises (DLE), the operating entity for the David Leadbetter Golf Academies (DLGA). Shew is also a former teaching professional.
“I am honored to be associated with Hank Haney and his International Junior Golf Academy,” Shew said. “Hank is without a doubt the world’s premier golf instructor. His tireless commitment to the young men and women at the academy is inspirational. I’m extremely excited to be part of the finest junior golf training school in the world.”
Prior to joining DLE, Shew worked for IMG in its IMG Academies Division in Bradenton Fla., where he was a Director. During that stint with IMG he oversaw its North American academy expansion and also assisted with several international academy opportunities.
Shew has served on several management teams throughout the golf industry and has managed various private, semi-private and resort golf operations. The graduate of Drake University (BA) is a former member of the PGA of America.
“I am very pleased to welcome Blaik as the CEO of my junior academy. His wealth of experience will serve us well as we continue our tireless efforts to provide the premier training, competition and education to our students,” said Haney, a member of the PGA of America and Golf Digest Teaching Professional.
Junior Golf Corporation is owned by The Riverside Company, a global private equity firm which has $2.7 billion in capital under management and counts some of the world’s leading pension funds, insurance companies, banks, endowments and funds of funds as its investors. Riverside’s investment in the Company is led by Jeff Tobin, Operating Partner.
“We’re thrilled to have found someone the caliber of Blaik to lead the Junior Golf Corporation at this exciting time,” said Tobin. “Since our acquisition of the company two years ago, we have accomplished quite a bit while continuing to build upon our status as the leading junior golf academy and junior golf tour. Blaik brings the credentials and the personality to ensure that we keep the momentum going while exploring an increasing number of new avenues to grow the brand.”
About The Riverside Company
The Riverside Company is the largest global private equity firm focused on the smaller end of the middle market and is one of the industry’s most experienced leveraged buyout investors. Riverside invests in premier companies valued up to $150 million and partners with strong management teams to build companies through acquisitions and value-added growth. Since its founding in 1988, the firm has invested in 213 transactions with a total enterprise value of $4.7 billion. Riverside’s current portfolio in North America, Europe and Asia consists of 69 companies with combined annual sales of $3.2 billion, EBITDA of $524 million and more than 14,000 employees. Riverside offers certainty to close and can complete acquisitions in as little as 45 days, thanks to its $2.7 billion of capital under management, over 180 professionals in 18 offices and long-standing relationships with partner lenders.
Contact:
Mary Beth Lacy
Mary Beth Lacy, Inc Public Relations
760-346-6942
mb@mblacy.com
