SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. – The Rick Smith Golf Academy at McDowell Mountain Golf Club recently announced the addition of new instructors as well as a number of new instructional programs. Jim Schuman was appointed as Director of Instruction. PGA Tour professional, Boyd Summerhays, and LPGA Tour professional, Peggy Gustafson, were also added to the current instruction team made up of Dean Atkinson (Canadian PGA) and John Burns.
“We assembled a talented team with both teaching and playing experience at the highest levels of the game,” said Schuman. “They’re not only skilled in terms of playing; more importantly, they are able to effectively communicate the fundamentals of golf in a way that’s easy for golfers to understand, improve and ultimately get more enjoyment out of the game.”
As the Director of Instruction, Schuman oversees all instructional programming at the Rick Smith Golf Academy. Prior to joining the team at McDowell Mountain, he was the head golf coach at University of Wisconsin where he led the program from 2003 to 2011. After only four years at the helm, Schuman restored the Badger program back to national prominence. The 2007 team qualified for the first NCAA regional tournament since 1994. Schuman has been the swing coach for Champions Tour Player, Fred Funk and PGA Tour Player Jerry Kelly, and he was named Wisconsin PGA Teacher of the Year in 2003 and 2005. Schuman was inducted into the Wisconsin Golf Hall of Fame in 2009. To contact Jim Schuman or for Instructional information call (608) 520-1014 or email: jschugolf@gmail.com.
Summerhays joins the team with a focus on individual private lessons, group clinics, elite junior programming and other instructional tasks. In addition to playing on the PGA Tour, he also played on the Nationwide Tour, PGA Tour Canada, and several other professional tours from 2001 to 2012. The nephew of Champions Tour player Bruce Summerhays and brother of current PGA Tour professional Daniel Summerhays, Boyd grew up around the game and was a three-time Junior World Champion and four-time American Junior Golf Association High School All-American. He was the Golfweek/Titleist Junior National Player of the Year in 1995, and was ranked No. 1 in the country. He played collegiate golf for Oklahoma State University. His teaching career has been influenced by world-renowned golf instructor Rick Smith, and is excited to have the privilege of working with and learning from him. Boyd has been personally taught during his playing career by many of the top golf instructors in the game. For more information on Boyd Summerhays or lesson information, contact him directly at 602.829.8326 or email boyd@summerhaysgolf.com.
Named to the prestigious list of the Top 50 Women Teachers in America by Golf Digest, Gustafson also will direct a full slate of instructional offerings and women centered golf instructional programs at McDowell Mountain. Gustafson boasts over 32 years of teaching experience, working with all levels of players-complete beginners to tour professionals. Her teaching philosophy is to first understand each student’s goals and limitations while mapping out a strategy to reach or exceed each student’s goals within the game. She competed in five LPGA majors in her playing career, and was recognized with a number of teaching awards including the 1998 and 2008 LPGA Teacher of the Year in the Central Section; GolfTEC Teacher of the Year in 2008 and Top 50 Teacher designated by Golf for Women Magazine, LPGA Top 50 Best Teachers. For more information on Peggy Gustafson or lesson information contact Peggy directly at 602 503 8380 or Email lpgapeggy@yahoo.com.
Not only has the Rick Smith Academy appointed additional teaching professionals, they also added new programs that will appeal to a wide spectrum of golfers. These programs include but are not limited to the following:
Rick Smith Instruction
Rick Smith personally headlines the new instructional programs. One program, for example, caters to accomplished golfers. The Rick Smith Premier Program offers a full-swing instructional session with Smith himself that is limited to six students, and includes 3.5 hours of instruction with assistance from other Academy instructors. Using state-of-the-art technology, each student receives personalized video analysis conducted by Smith. Premier programs offer a minimal student-to-teacher ratio, ensuring the needs of your game are attended to directly throughout the session. Cost is $750 and there is limited availability. Private lessons with Smith are also available on a limited basis.
Golf Schools
The teaching professionals at Rick Smith Golf Academy offer a number of one, two and three-day golf schools that encompass all aspects of the game e.g. short game, full swing, equipment analysis, golf course management and proper practice habits. Pricing starts at $450 for a “One Day Masters” package that includes one half-day session with four hours of instruction focused on either the short game or full swing. For $2000, golfers may opt for a comprehensive Three-Day Classic program that offers 18 hours of instruction over three days covering full swing, short game, equipment analysis, golf course management and proper practice habits.
Private Lessons
Private golf lessons with a Rick Smith Golf Academy Instructor will provide you with a personalized approach to game improvement. Our one hour, private lessons are tailored to meet the needs of the beginner as well as the most advanced player. Full swing lessons may include state-of-the-art video analysis so you can fully understand and see your swing improvement. Private lessons are $150/Hour or $675/Package of 5 One Hour Lessons, $1,250/Package of 10, One Hour Lessons (* Rates may vary according to instructor and availability)
Weekly Group Clinics
Weekly group clinics allow golfers to learn helpful tips in a short period of time in an atmosphere that is fun and energetic. Cost is $40 per person, per session and topics include: Putting (Monday 10-11am), Full Swing (Wednesday from 10-11am or from 5-6pm) and Short Game (Friday 10-11am).
Corporate Programs
New in 2013, the academy offers customized corporate programs that provide a unique twist to corporate outings. These intimate programs include instructional clinics, on-course instruction or even team-building Q&A sessions.
Junior Golf Programs
The Junior Golf Programs and private junior golf lessons at the Rick Smith Golf Academy provide the ideal introduction to the game for junior golfers. In addition to beginners, the program also allows accomplished junior to hone their skills for competition. Whether the junior’s goal is to learn fundamentals or obtain a college scholarship, the Rick Smith Golf Academy at McDowell Mountain has the solution.
Spring Junior Program – Session #2 April 23 – May 23.
Junior may now sign up for the Rick Smith Golf Academy Spring Junior Golf Programs. Session #2 runs April 23 through May 23. Age groups range from five years to 14 years old. Cost is just $135 per junior for each five-week session. Age Groups / Days and Times are: 5yrs -8yrs Tues. 4pm-5pm or 5pm-6pm; 9yrs -11yrs Weds. 4pm-5pm or 5pm-6pm; 12yrs- 14yrs Thurs. 4pm-5pm or 5pm-6pm (Limit 10 juniors per time slot – 20 per age group).
Private Junior Lessons
The one-hour, private lessons are tailored to meet the needs of each junior golfer. Full-swing lessons may include state-of-the-art video analysis. Short-game and on-course lessons are also encouraged. Cost is $75 for Junior 1-Hour Lesson and rates may vary according to instructor and availability
“We have worked hard to match our golf instructional programs and teaching professionals with the energy that surrounds the new and enhanced facility at McDowell Mountain Golf Club,” added Schuman. “Not only do we have a truly stunning golf course, new clubhouse, enlarged practice facilities, but we now have great teaching professional and instructional programs that will appeal to both the McDowell Mountain and Scottsdale communities.”
For more information on all of the instructional offerings at McDowell Mountain Golf visit www.mcdowellmountaingc.com/instruction or call 480-502-8200.
About McDowell Mountain Golf Club
Built on the western slope of Scottsdale’s McDowell Mountains and adjacent to the nationally recognized Westworld equestrian center this premier Scottsdale golf course, stretches to a 7,072-yards, and delivers a stunning Scottsdale golf experiences that will keep you coming back for more. In 2011, PGA Tour great, Phil Mickelson and Steve Loy acquired the operating rights to McDowell Mountain Golf Club in Scottsdale (formerly Sanctuary Golf Course), and directed a massive golf course enhancement and renovation to create the NEW McDowell Mountain Golf Club! Course architectural changes were overseen by the original golf course architect Randy Heckenkemper and included making many of the playing corridors wider, reshaping a number of fairways, adding additional teeing areas and more – all designed to create a more enjoyable and player friendly experience. McDowell Mountain Golf Club also boasts an expansive practice facility that is home to the Rick Smith Golf Academy and a full slate of instructional offerings. The centerpiece to the McDowell Mountain facility is the new clubhouse, Mesquite Grille restaurant and functional special event facilities that make McDowell Mountain a popular venue for golf tournaments, weddings, meetings and other special gatherings. For more information on McDowell Mountain Golf Club, visit www.mcdowellmountaingc.com or call 480-502-8200. You can also follow the McDowell Mountain Golf Club conversation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mcdowellmountaingc or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/mcdowellmtngc
About OB Sports
McDowell Mountain Golf Club is professionally managed by Scottsdale-based OB Sports Golf Management. OB Sports is a diversified, golf-oriented company with a long history of success that currently manages premier golf courses and country clubs throughout the United States. Known for its comprehensive and personalized services since 1972, OB Sports has become widely acclaimed as the leader in boutique-style golf course management. For more information on OB Sports, visit www.obsports.com call 480-948-1300. You can also “Like” OB Sports on Facebook at www.facebook.com/obsports, follow OB Sports on Twitter: www.twitter.com/obsportsgolf or view the OB Sports You Tube Channel at www.youtube.com/obsportsgolf
Contact:
Chris Johnson, (480) 502-8200
cjohnson@mcdowellmountaingc.com
