fitters to academy teachers to public teachers,”
Altschwager said.
“That’s why we think our product will work
because we are golfers.”
Now Altschwager and his team are set to
launch a junior academy with a goal of
attracting more than 400 juniors. “We haven’t
launched it yet and already have 45 in the
junior program,” he said.
Club members and the public can take
advantage of the varying skills by joining
Parkwood’s Game Changer Program.
Altschwager believes the juniors will graduate
from the complex’s miniature golf course to
the academy.
“We offer a lesson a week and unlimited range
balls,” Altschwager said. “It’s not just coaching
that gets you better, it’s practice.
“We did a promotion recently and sold 3900
mini golf rounds in seven days.
“This destination venue looks nice and we are
being creative and having a product that is a
tangible pathway for children.”
“We combine coaching and practice and it
costs $30 a week so it’s dead cheap. We sit
down with the client and we map out a plan
and work together over 12 months.
“If you are a busy person, we can do a lesson
every two weeks with a clear strategy of what
you are trying to achieve with your golf.
“It becomes more like a tour player works with
his coach as opposed to lessons every now and
again. It’s cheap and it’s the right way people
should learn.”
Here, children as young as four-years-old, will
spend time doing a range of activities – not
just hitting golf balls.
“The program, designed by the Titleist
Performance Institute (TPI), is about building
fundamental movement skills and adding
in fundamental sports skills like throwing,
catching, moving, balancing, hitting and
combining that into a theme of golf rather
than forcing kids to stand on the range hitting
balls,” Altschwager said.
“As golfers, we know golf is amazing for kids
and adults but the game is as boring as hell for
children learning the game. For the first time,
this program turns things on its head.”
At Parkwood, it will cost $199 a term, $13 a
week, for a child to start at the introductory
level and attend “classes” once a week.
“For $19 children attend twice a week and
then there is an advanced group for those
really interested in becoming good golfers,”
Altschwager explained.
“That will cost $27 and includes a private
lesson once a month.
“We think the price is reasonable when you
consider a piano lesson can cost $50.
“We have an amazing destination now for all
golfers and it’s only going to get better.”
Golf Industry Central Summer 2012
21