December 9, 2011
Dear Member,
As a Golf Professional and PGA member, one of my highest priorities for the Club at Las Campanas is to ensure the golf instructional experience and programming are among the finest in the country. Our club’s membership, image, and, ultimately, enjoyment of the game are largely influenced by the entirety of the program.
While the structure of instructional programs differ from club to club, the components of a successful program are common to a large majority of clubs that are comparable to ours. These elements ensure that the program has something to offer every member, no matter the level of play, and they directly improve the member experience. The more members the program touches, whether bringing them into the game of golf or keeping them playing, the more successful the program. The program should be creative, involve the entire professional staff, and be delivered in a manner that makes the game fun.
Below are just a few examples of initiatives we will be implementing that incorporate the key components of a successful instructional program:
Establish programs and events that encourage membership participation for all ability levels, encourage new players, and reach out to “lapsed” golfers
The enhanced use of video technology for all lessons
The development of a fitness-based golf program
An expanded fitting program that utilizes the benefits of technology
The mentoring and training of the Professional Staff
Participation in all of The Club’s activities, and playing golf with members regularly
The ability to teach the game to a wide variety of players and skill levels, and to teach around the prior experience and limitation of every member
Written follow up after every lesson
Weekly tips in The Club’s e-newsletter
Complimentary weekly clinics and “Lesson Days”
Create major events at the Learning/Teaching facility each season (guest speakers,Demo Days, Instructional Seminars, fitting days, etc.)
Based on the results from the season ending golf survey, direct feedback from our members over the past year, and the best practices within the private club environment, I am certain that incorporating these and other ideas into our instructional plan will build a solid foundation for a more successful program. This program will be a source of strength and pride within the golf department and throughout The Club.
To this end and after extensive evaluation, we have decided to conduct a national search to find a Director of Instruction who is the best person suited to advance The Club’s instructional program and experience. In addition to teaching individual lessons, The Director of Instruction will report to the Director of Golf and will be accountable for implementing the above components and developing new initiatives that make learning the game and playing golf contagious.
We have informed our current Teaching Professional Don Byus of our direction and strongly encouraged him to be a part of our search.
We expect to have all responses to our search back by early January and to have the Director of Instruction in place by mid February. The position is seasonal from April 15th to October 15th. I would be pleased to share a specific job description with you once the search has commenced, and we will keep you updated as we go.
I am very excited about the possibilities for our club in so many areas. While many are extremely important, none is more important than the quality or diversity of our golf instructional program.
With best wishes,
Jason Epstein, PGA
Director of Golf