ACME, Mich – Golf groups visiting Grand Traverse Resort and Spa have multiple options even beyond well-planned outings on award-winning championship golf courses of incomparable beauty.
Mark Hill, head golf professional and director of instruction, has been getting positive feedback from groups who have taken advantage of his innovative ideas and incorporation of interactive golf instruction on the course and during the outing.
“One thing that has been successful with groups has been a half-hour of instruction for the group before they go, and then one of our other teachers going out and playing with the group,” Hill said. “We suggest nine-hole scrambles, which is really a plus for the groups with inexperienced golfers. You play a scramble, and they don’t feel pressure. They hit one or two good shots, and they have had a good day. In addition, we find some just really don’t understand all the things on the golf course, and we can explain things.”
Of course Hill said the on-course instruction he specializes in with his staff is not limited to just inexperienced golf groups.
“We can incorporate various things, like play around the green for experienced golfers, hitting bunker shots, tee shots,” he said. “We get into their heads a little more, and maybe show them there is more than one club they can use around the green for various shots. A lot of golfers have that one stock shot, but we show them that with the way wedges are made today they have a lot of options and it can help them improve their scoring. We get out there with them and help them through it.”
Hill said groups that opted for the on-course instruction during their outings last year have booked another trip for this year and are bringing more golfers.
“There are all the great amenities that Grand Traverse Resort and Spa offers, and we like to take golf to another level, too,” he said. “We can do a lot of customizing to fit the event to the people who are attending, no matter if they are inexperienced, great golfers or a mix of all types of golfers. We will get out there with you and make it work for your group.”
Golf and a group’s imagination truly never end at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, which features three nationally recognized golf courses – The Bear, The Wolverine and Spruce Run as well as their state-of-the-art Golf Academy.
The Golf Academy is a 2,000 square foot, year round headquarters of options, including three indoor-outdoor hitting bays equipped with mirrors and motion-capture technology for swing analysis. Clinics, practice sessions, private lessons, club-fitting seminars, equipment demonstrations, hole-in-one and long drive contests and indoor league competition are offered as well via the GC2-powered Golf Simulator by Foresight Sports.
Within the last 12 months, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa completed a $7 million renovation of guest rooms in its 17-story glass-encased tower. The remake of the rooms in the tallest building in Northern Michigan also capped a $34 million investment in improving all aspects of the facility by its owners, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
In addition to award-winning golf facilities, the resort offers 86,500 square feet of meeting space, multiple dining choices, including the upscale flagship Aerie Restaurant & Lounge on the tower’s 16th floor, a 100,000 square foot indoor outdoor health club, the 7,000 square foot Spa Grand Traverse with 23 treatment rooms, five indoor tennis courts, and a 15,000-square foot indoor water playground.
For Golf Academy information: Call 231-534-6550 or toll free 800-236-1577, or visit http://www.grandtraverseresort.com.
Contact:
Media contact: Dave Richards at Resort & Golf Marketing, dave@resortandgolf.com or 248-642-6420.
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa contact: J. Michael DeAgostino, Public Relations Manager 231-534-6352 jmdeagostino@gtresort.com.