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The John Webster Golf Academy At The Breakers:
One Of America’s Most Complete, Player-Centered Golf Instruction Experiences
Legendary Oceanfront Resort Sustains Flight as World-Class Golf Destination
With Platform for Golf Ed
PALM BEACH, FL – For many years, The Breakers Palm Beach was regarded as a luxury oceanfront resort with great golf and a high-quality golf school. Then in 2005, the resort destination – long independent of either hotel or golf-school chain affiliations – recruited the equally entrepreneurial-minded John Webster as its director of golf instruction. A PGA member since 1995 and PGA Class-A Teaching Professional who was previously associated with the McLean Golf Schools, Webster and the resort collaborated to elevate golf instruction at The Breakers to the premium standards associated with the entire resort experience. Piece by piece, and supported by the hotel’s commitment and investment, he assembled the key components for the most complete, player-centered golf education experience at any top-tier resort in the country.
Today, the John Webster Golf Academy at The Breakers, has emerged from the pack of leading U.S. golf schools by achieving excellence in three areas, concurrently: golf instruction, equipment and physical fitness. These core themes, particularly in combination, are Webster’s recipe for fortifying players at every level to attain their maximum potential – by helping them reach full engagement and peak performance. The Academy offers instruction in private lessons or golf school formats, with specialized lessons for children and teens.
For The Breakers, “The evolution of the John Webster Golf Academy was the final piece of the puzzle for making our resort a complete, world-class golf destination,” said David Burke, vp sales & marketing of the multi-faceted award-winning property, which had completed a 10-year, $250 million revitalization and now continues to invest $20 million each year in capital improvements.
“Now that we have elevated golf instruction to the highest possible standards and on par with the total resort experience, we are incredibly proud to offer one of the top-shelf golf experiences in the Southeast. This makes The Breakers an extremely compelling getaway for seasoned golfers or novices.”
“The art of great golf instruction has changed dramatically over the years. Science and technology have enabled every golfer the opportunity to maximize their performance through equipment, instruction, and fitness,” said Webster. “It is equally important for students to learn the mental aspects of ‘playing good golf’ on the course as well. We are fortunate to have a facility that allows us the ability to train on and off the golf course. It takes a skilled instructor to combine all the physical and mental aspects of the game in a way that is not confusing or frustrating. Many of our instructors have played golf at the highest level and have the unique ability to teach every level of golfer from beginner to tour professional,” he continued.
The alliance of golf instruction, equipment and physical fitness is a winning trifecta for guests of the resort enrolled in the John Webster Golf Academy at The Breakers, as evidenced by the following:
- Year-round golf instruction by an outstanding roster of highly skilled teaching pros, who bring solid experience from signature courses around the U.S. In addition to Webster, the instructors include: Kevin Compare, Richard Terga, George Wrede, Del Ponchock, Frank Bensel, Meghan Mahoney, Dan McLellan, Sarah Stone, John Blair, Colin Amaral, Tracy Mount, Daniel Gray, Trillium Sellers, Scott Chisholm, Jimmy Tirone and Fitness Professional Aaron Walden. Combined, this staff of elite instructors has more than a century of teaching experience and knowledge.
- Learning Centers are state-of-the-art practice facilities located at both The Ocean Course and The Breakers Rees Jones® Course. Each center provides an ideal learning environment to evaluate an individual’s swing and determine an accurate diagnosis. Each indoor/outdoor learning bay features a private practice area equipped with four stationary cameras to capture and analyze an individual’s swing at any speed and from every angle using state-of-the-art, digital video analysis equipment. Lessons are e-mailed to a personalized locker for future review.
- Personalized fitness evaluations are critical to the learning experience for both the student and the instructor. John Webster, who is certified by the Titleist Performance Institute, and his instructors identify limitations by focusing on areas of muscle strength, weakness and flexibility to properly diagnose swing faults. Balance, stability, mobility and strength are all key components to generate power and a consistent golf swing. The golf academy also includes Fitness Professional Aaron Walden who develops personalized programs to increase performance and decrease injury potential.
- Two, 18-hole championship courses. The Breakers Rees Jones® Course is the namesake of one of the golf industry’s most renowned architects; a contemporary-style design with friendly, gentle contours, uniquely playable and challenging at the same time; distinguished as “Renovation of the Year” by Golf Inc. The historic Ocean Course, the oldest in Florida, is an extraordinary vintage golf experience originally laid out by Alexander H. Findlay in 1896 and completely redesigned by Brian Silva in 2000; random bunkering throughout the landscape and fairways weave between sandy hazards to embody an old-world sensibility.
- Custom club fitting with launch monitor. NOTE: John Webster is part of the Titleist Leadership Advisory Staff and is one of only four Prominent Titleist Club Fitters nationwide. Getting fit for a driver provides the optimum combination of launch conditions including ball speed, launch angle and spin; it also helps to optimize ball flight and directional control while delivering maximum distance. Getting fit for irons helps to optimize ball flight accuracy and distance control and helps hit more greens. Long game gap fitting provides the proper combination of clubs to best fill the yardage and trajectory gaps between the driver and the golfer’s longest playable iron. Wedge fitting can be the final touch to adding the precise scoring clubs for those critical shots near the green.
- Group or private lessons. The John Webster Golf Academy will customize a wide variety programs ranging from private instruction to large corporate outings. Two day golf programs can be customized and make great getaways for couples, families, or the serious golfer who is looking for specific game improvement. Weekly resort clinics are also available for adults and juniors who are looking for a fun group experience. Golf lessons can now be booked online at www.thebreakers.com/golf.
- The spectacular and multi-faceted resort environment – luxurious accommodations, broad range of amenities and services for adults traveling on their own, for families and all ages.
Background on John Webster
John Webster has instructed every skill level, from beginners to PGA Touring Professionals, with notable students such as Cal Ripken Jr., Tom Kite, Candy Hannemann, Kyle Boller, former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, and former USGA President and US Amateur Champion Fred Ridley. He has had the privilege of hosting a number of corporate clinics with tour professionals such as Zach Johnson, Hal Sutton and Gary Player. An alumnus of Caves Valley Golf
Club in Baltimore, MD, and Jim McLean Golf Schools, he spent eight years teaching at the McLean Golf School in Miami, designed the McLean Learning Center in Michigan and then its director of instruction, and eventually oversaw all of the McLean Schools as vice president of operations for McLean Enterprises.
Of his nine years at Caves Valley, he spent six as director of instruction where he designed and implemented a state of the art indoor putting studio. A graduate of Loyola College where he played on its golf team, Webster played the Australian/Asian Tour and a number of Florida Mini-Tours. He has appeared on Golf Channel, most recently on “Golf Academy Live” with Cal Ripken Jr., and he has published articles for Golf Digest and The New York Times. He is one of only four Prominent Titleist Fitters worldwide and is a certified fitness professional from the Titleist Performance Institute. Webster was named 2011 South Florida Teacher of The Year by the PGA of America.
Private Golf Instruction
Individualized instruction at all levels is customized to meet the needs and preferences of each player. Rates, below, are for The Ocean Course and The Breakers Rees Jones Course.
The Ocean Course
- John Webster, Director of Instruction $225 per hour
- Academy Instructors $175 per hour and $95 per half-hour.
Assistant Academy Instructors $125 per hour and $75 per half-hour
$ 50 per each additional student (maximum 3 per instructor)
- Private Instruction Junior Rate $125 per hour and $75 per half-hour
(15 years and under) $40 per each additional student (maximum 3 per instructor)
The Breakers Rees Jones® Course
- John Webster, Director of Instruction $225 per hour
- Academy Instructors $175 per hour and $95 per half-hour
- Assistant Academy Instructors $125 per hour and $75 per half-hour
- $ 50 for each additional student
- Private Instruction Junior Rate $ 125 per hour and $75 per half-hour
- (15 years and under) $ 40 for each additional student
- On-course instruction is available at the hourly lesson rate.
- Lesson packages and gift cards are available.
Golf Clinics for 2011 - 2012
Regularly scheduled clinics provide our guests with professional instruction in a group environment. Our instructors cover a variety of topics such as full swing with a mid-iron, chipping and pitching, or putting. Clinics can be tailored to the participants’ needs, depending on class size.
The Ocean Course
Mixed Adult Clinic (Members & Hotel Guests)
Junior Clinic (Ages 6-12 / Members & Hotel Guests)
Rate: $45 per session for Hotel Guests
The Breakers Rees Jones® Course
Ladies Clinic (Members & Hotel Guests)
Men’s Clinic (Members & Hotel Guests)
Rate: $45 per session for Hotel Guests
EDITOR’S NOTES:
• Testimonials are available upon request: Tom Friedman, Golf Digest contributing editor & New York Times columnist and Fred Ridley, 1976 US Amateur Champion & Former USGA President, are available to provide testimonials and share details about their golf experiences.
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About The Breakers Palm Beach
One of America’s legendary resort destinations, this 540-room, Italian Renaissance-style hotel resides on 140 acres of oceanfront property in the heart of Palm Beach. The Breakers was founded in 1896 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and continues to thrive independent of chain affiliation. Renowned for its gracious service, the resort indulges its clientele, whether couples on a romantic getaway, multi-generational travelers on a family vacation or large gatherings in celebration. Its timeless atmosphere -- from its magnificent interiors to its artfully designed landscape -- has been renewed in a style of relaxed elegance.
A multi-faceted destination, The Breakers features 36 holes of championship golf, including the Ocean Course and The Breakers Rees Jones® Course; 10 Har-Tru tennis courts; luxury spa; a breathtaking oceanfront with a half-mile of private beach, Mediterranean-style beach club, as well as luxury beach bungalows for daytime-rental, five pools, four whirlpool spas and a variety of water sports; a Family Entertainment Center and an extensive program of family and children’s activities. Nine distinctive restaurants ranging from casual to fine dining, including HMF, the resort’s newest destination for social drinking and eating; as well as an array of on-site boutiques, are all owned and managed by the resort. The Breakers is recognized as a AAA Five Diamond property and has earned numerous accolades for its commitment to the environment, community service and the quality of life it provides to its employees. For reservations or more information, contact the resort toll-free at 1-888-BREAKERS (273-2537), (561) 655-6611, visit www.thebreakers.com, or contact your travel professional.
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