Orlando, Fla. (Nov. 24, 2015) – Mike Bender, one of the most sought-after coaches in golf, has been named an instructor for Golf Channel Academy.
Bender is among the game’s most influential and recognizable teachers who have come together to establish a dedicated network of instruction facilities with the active support of Golf Channel, the game’s leading global multimedia and golf entertainment source.
“I’m very excited to be among the first coaches associated with the dynamic Golf Channel Academy,” said Bender, who is the owner operator of the owner/operator of the Mike Bender Golf Academy in Lake Mary, Fla., where he is a Master Instructor. “This is a chance for golf coaches to work together, learning from one another and adopting best practices in both coaching, to better serve the golfing public. My goal is to help our clients learn to play, play better and enjoy playing golf more.”
Launched in April, Golf Channel Academy is the first network of its kind devoted to efficiently growing the business of golf instruction. With 65 locations already committed, Golf Channel Academy will be inviting additional coaches to become part of the network as it continues to grow.
The 2009 PGA National Teacher of the Year, Bender is ranked among the Top 5 Best Teachers in America by Golf Digest magazine and has been a mainstay on GOLF Magazine’s list of the Top 100 Teachers in America since its inception in 1996. He has been recognized as the North Florida PGA Section Teacher of the Year four times (1996, 1998, 2005, 2007).
Bender’s impressive crop of current and past students includes two-time major champion Zach Johnson, Jonathan Byrd, Lee Janzen, Seon Hwa Lee, Chella Choi and many more. Bender has trained Johnson for all of his PGA Tour wins, including the 2007 Masters and, most recently, the 2015 Open Championship at St. Andrews.
In addition to developing world-class tour players, Bender also created the Most Efficient Golf Swing Attainable Perfect Practice Equipment (MEGSA PPE) used at teaching facilities around the world. The equipment utilizes adjustable bumpers and provides real-time feedback so that your body and club can be trained to move in the preferred positions during the swing.
Bender is also the author of the instruction book, Build the Swing of a Lifetime: The Four-Step Approach to a More Efficient Swing, and has a second book, The 8-Second Secret, coming out shortly. He has had dozens of articles published in such magazines as GOLF Magazine, Golf Digest and PGA Magazine.
An accomplished player, Bender captured two NCAA Division III titles (1979-’80) at Cal State Stanislaus and competed for three seasons on the PGA Tour (1987-’89). As a player, he studied under some of the game’s top instructors, including Ben Doyle, Mike Adams, David Leadbetter and Mac O’Grady.
Prior to starting his own academy in 1992, Bender made his coaching debut in 1986 as the Head Teaching Professional at Sunnyside Country Club in his hometown of Waterloo, Iowa. He also served as the Director of Instruction at Brooks Resort in Spirit Lake, Iowa.
At the new Golf Channel Academy, Bender’s staff will include Cheryl Anderson, LPGA, Director of Instruction; Matt Wilkes, PGA, Head Instructor; and Dan Winget, Staff Instructor.
For more information about Bender, visit www.mikebender.com. Contact him at megsagolf@aol.com, (407) 321-0444 and @MikeBenderGolf
Contact:
Karen Moraghan
Hunter Public Relations
908/963-6013
kmoraghan@hunter-pr.com
