Help Step-Up Your Golf Game with Cleveland Metroparks "Academy of Golf"

FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE:                               

JUNE 14, 2011

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

BOB ROTATORI - 216-635-3263  - or-

ERIC BARNETT - 216-635-7014

From the player just starting out to the avid golfer, Cleveland
Metroparks "Academy of Golf" can help everyone improve
their game through the following instructional opportunities:

The Golf Swing - Hitting Woods - 200/300 Series Learn the
fundamentals and refine skills. For players who have abandoned
using their driver or struggle to use it well. This session will
focus more on how to launch a ball with a driver and control its
flight. Designed for beginning golfers to 10 handicappers.  A
maximum of 7 participants. Call 216-641-1864 for more
information.

The Golf Swing - The Fundamentals - 500 Series This
hands-on clinic covers aspects of a solid, fundamental golf swing,
including grip, set-up and swing. The class will provide general,
fundamental and basic instruction useful for players of every skill
level, gender and age. A maximum of 7 participants.

The Short Game - Putting and Chipping - 500 Series This
session reviews basics of successful "around the green
shots." The class will provide general, fundamental and basic
instruction that is useful for players of every skill level, gender
and age. A maximum of 7 students.

Private Golf Clinics Custom-designed 4-hour clinics
include use of driving range, chipping and putting areas and
equipment use. Clinic topics include The Golf Swing - Driving for
Distance, Women's Golf for Beginners, and The Short Game - Sand.
Designed for 6 - 8 individuals with like interests. Taught by PGA
professionals with more than 20 years experience. $75 per
person.

Properly Fit Equipment Over the years, many students
attend Academy programs or take private lessons with golf clubs
that are not properly fit for them.  Instead of helping the
golfer play their best, these clubs actually make it more
difficult.  When a student says, "Until I play better I'm
not getting new clubs," the answer many times is, "You
probably won't play better until you get new clubs."  The
Academy's golf professionals know how to properly fit woods, irons
and hybrids.  From beginners to more advanced players,
Cleveland Metroparks Sleepy Hollow and Manakiki golf pro shops have
clubs and fitting systems to make sure you achieve your best
golf.  For more information, call Sleepy Hollow at
440-526-4285 and Manakiki at 440-942-2500.

The "Academy of Golf" instructors are:

� John Fiander - Fiander has 26 years of teaching
experience, was named the 2003 "Teacher of the Year," has
received the PGA Specialty Teaching Certification, and has appeared
in such publications as pga.com, usatoday.com, cleveland.com, and
The Plain Dealer.

� Tom Kochensparger - Kochensparger has 29 years of
professional teaching experience, a compiled 53-7 record as Head
Golf Coach at BishopVerotHighSchool in Fort Myers, Florida, as well
as the 2005 NOPGA Team Match Play Champion.  Some of his
students include PGA Professionals, a Manakiki Course Champion and
a Greater Cleveland Amateur Champion.

� Mike Raby - Raby has 18 years of professional
experience, is a PGA Master Professional, and has been a rules
official at PGA Tour qualifying events and Nike Tour events.

� Jeff Staker - Staker has 30 years of professional
teaching experience, was the 1996 Northern Ohio PGA "Junior
Leader of the Year," the 1990 Cincinnati PGA "Junior
Leader of the Year," and is a former instructor of Canterbury
and Shaker Heights Golf Clubs.

� Lloyd Smith - Smith has 14 years of teaching
experience, specializing in adult beginners and juniors.

           
� Jami Taylor - Taylor, a former captain of the
Gannon University golf team, is an apprentice golf
          professional
and clubhouse supervisor at Seneca Golf Course. She is also a past
instructor of the First Tee of Cleveland.

          � Ryan
Short - Short, WashingtonGolfLearningCenter clubhouse
supervisor, is a PGA Training Level 1 graduate.

The eight Cleveland Metroparks golf courses are:

�  MANAKIKI GOLF COURSE - 18 hole, par 72
-

440-942-2500 - North Chagrin Reservation - 35501 Eddy Road,
Willoughby Hills

�  SLEEPY HOLLOW GOLF COURSE - 18 hole,
par 71 & DrivingRange -

440-526-4285 - Brecksville Reservation - 9445 Brecksville Road,
Brecksville

�  SHAWNEE HILLS GOLF COURSE - 18 hole,
par 71, a Par 3 Course & Driving Range -

440-232-7184 - Bedford Reservation - 18753 Egbert Road,
Bedford      

�  BIG METGOLF COURSE - 18 hole, par 72 -

440-331-1070 - Rocky River Reservation - 4811 Valley Parkway,
Fairview Park

�  SENECA GOLF COURSE - 18 hole, par 72
& 18 hole, par 71

216-348-7274 - Brecksville Reservation - 975 Valley Parkway,
BroadviewHeights

�  LITTLE METGOLF COURSE - 9 hole, par 34 -

216-941-9672 - Rocky River Reservation - 18599 Old Lorain Road,
Cleveland

�  MASTICK WOODS GOLF COURSE - 9 hole, par
31 -

216-267-5626 - Rocky River Reservation - 19900 Puritas Road,
Cleveland

� WASHINGTONGOLFLEARNINGCENTER - 9 hole, par 29
& DrivingRange

216-641-1864 - Washington Reservation - 3841 Washington Park
Blvd., Newburgh Hts.

 For more information and to register for any of the
Academy courses, call 440-232-7247 or log onto
clevelandmetroparks.com.

Novices and veterans alike can go for the green with the
"Academy of Golf" of Cleveland Metroparks -
part of your life, naturally.

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