TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – Renowned golf instructor Dave Pelz considers a visit to Grand Traverse Resort and Spa a perfect day in paradise, and the resort considers Dave Pelz Scoring Game Schools a perfect enhancement to the already first-class golf experience for its visitors.
“Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is high end and does things the right way, and Pelz Golf is high end and does things the right way; it’s a perfect fit,” said Tom McGee, director of golf operations, in announcing the Dave Pelz Short Game School will be presenting 15 clinics/schools this summer at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.
One day clinics and two- and three-day schools are scheduled between a June 28 one-day clinic and a three-day school that starts Aug. 20.
“The Dave Pelz schools specialize in what we call the scoring shots, and we anticipate people coming for the combination of the great Pelz instruction and the great amenities at our Resort,” McGee said. “We’ve had some great golf schools here over the years, and we will continue with all of our current programs and instruction for players of all levels and ages, but the Pelz schools are a unique addition in that they concentrate on lowering scores by improving play closer to the green.”
Pelz, whose celebrated work with Phil Mickelson and many other top professionals has helped result in multiple major championships, said he can’t wait to get to paradise to help golfers.
“Traverse City is one of those places where you can have one of those perfect days,” he said. “Wake up, play a great golf course, really, some of the best in the country. Then you can have a great time on or near the water and spend time with folks who really appreciate being outside in surroundings that are simply a gift. Once we discovered what naturally beautiful place this was and the incredible quality of the golf here, we knew we had to be a part of it. The resort has everything a vacationing family or golf group would want.”
A former NASA scientist with a uniquely analytical approach to the game, Pelz founded his schools in the late 1980s and structured the program to meet the needs of all handicap levels, emphasizing individual attention to each student. He defines “the Scoring Game” as a combination of the short game, which includes all shots played inside 100 yards of the green, plus the putting game, which are all the shots played on the green. Every Pelz school includes an analysis of each student’s game, classroom theory sessions and outdoor execution sessions.
“The ball does not know how old, or how tall, or how short, or how smart, or how intellectual the golfer is,” Pelz said. “The ball only knows how the club moves through impact. We teach with the same fundamentals to every golfer because the ball has the same basic requirements. However, how we teach each golfer changes with their unique techniques and problem areas.”
Pelz’s staff instructors are highly-trained teaching professionals, and the low student/teacher ratio (4-to-1 in three-day schools, 6-to-1 in one-day clinics) allows instructors to concentrate solely on their students and students on their instruction in the short game.
“I’ve always said part of success is “fishing where the fish are,” Pelz said. “You have to set yourself up for success. When you’re practicing golf, it’s important to note that 80 percent of the shots golfers lose to par occur inside of 100 yards. Two thirds of the shots you’ll hit in a given round will be in that range. Our students leave our schools with a working plan and very useful skills and practice regimens.”
McGee expects response by golfers from across the country, especially since the Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City has many direct flights, including service to and from Newark/New York, Dallas and Atlanta.
“The Pelz instructors will come in and teach, the students will learn and when they stay here they will have our Resort and the many amenities that include our top-notch lodging, fine dining, Spa Grand Traverse, our great golf and the Traverse City area to enjoy on those beautiful long summer days we have.”
The Resort includes 900 acres of Northern Michigan landscape to explore, 86,500 square feet of versatile, modern and fully equipped meeting space, Spa Grand Traverse with 23 treatment rooms and areas, nearly 600 guest rooms and condominiums, the lobby-level Gallery of Shops, a licensed day care center, day camps for kids and multiple food and beverage outlets including the distinctive Aerie Restaurant & Lounge on the 16th floor of the Resort’s glass Tower. Nearby is Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel where excitement, fun and winning happens 24/7/365. Shuttles between the properties run all the time, too.
As the golfers in Michigan and around the world know, the golf is first class with three championship golf courses including the Jack Nicklaus-designed The Bear, The Wolverine by Gary Player and Spruce Run by William Newcomb.
For Pelz school and clinic schedules, and to enroll, visit www.pelzgolf.com. For information about lodging at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa visit www.grandtraverseresort.com or call 800-236-1577.
Contact:
Resort & Golf Marketing: Dave Richards, dave@resortandgolf.com, 248-642-6420.
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa: J. Michael DeAgostino, Public Relations Manager 231-534-6352 jmdeagostino@gtresort.com.
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