GILCHRIST GOLF ACADEMY
MERGES WITH BISHOPS GATE
Over the past twenty-five years, Gary Gilchrist has
necessary to become competitors in college.
successfully established himself as a world-renowned
golf teacher. He has been recognized by Golf Digest as a Now in 2019, Gilchrist and Summers have once again
Top 50 Teacher in America and most recently recognized partnered to offer the best golf coaching and training
again as Top 100 Teachers in America by Golf Magazine. facilities in the world. The resulting single junior golf
His career began as the Director of Golf at IMG Academy. academy, to be located at Bishops Gate, will be rebranded
Subsequently, Gilchrist accepted the same position at the as IJGA, Bishops Gate. Gilchrist will be the Director of Golf
International Junior Golf Academy (IJGA) in Hilton Head at IJGA, Bishops Gate. Jonathan Yarwood will continue
Island, SC. as Director of Golf at IJGA, Hilton Head Island. Both
are Top 100 golf coaches, as selected by the Golf Digest
Andrew Summers had successfully been a founding
panel. No other pair of junior golf academies offers this
member of a number of investment management breadth and depth
companies, gaining of teaching acumen
considerable experience and experience in
and becoming skilled at leadership.
setting up organizational
structures necessary Gilchrest and Summers
to motivate and enable also envision spreading
senior staff to excel in a to other continents
“people” business. the experience they
offer junior golfers.
In 2008, Gilchrist and BGGA has an affiliate
Summers founded in Mexico; Gilchrist
the Gary Gilchrist Golf has an affiliate in
Academy at Mission Inn China; and Summers
Resort & Club in Howey anticipates closing
in the Hills, not far from on the acquisition
Orlando, Florida. Quickly of an affiliate in
it became the most prominent, independent junior golf India. Combining
academy in the world.
their programs in the U.S. will allow them to strengthen
together and grow their affiliates in these three most
In 2014, Summers and Gilchrist decided to operate two strategic continents, creating the predominant junior golf
separate junior golf academies independent from each development program in the world. Students will benefit
other. In addition to founding the Bishops Gate Golf from the highest quality of golf coaching and golf facilities,
Academy in Howey in the Hills, Florida, Summers also while at the same time remaining fully focused upon their
purchased the International Junior Golf Academy in Hilton academic studies. Programs at all the IJGA facilities are
Head Island, South Carolina. Summers invested a great dedicated to maturing their students’ golfing skills, while
deal of resources to create the best training facilities in the not neglecting the more important development of their
world at both locations. The Bishops Gate campus features character. This is an exciting time to be working with
a 9-hole course, which with double tees and greens plays young students who are passionate about their golf as
as an 18-hole course, student housing, dining, and training there appears to be a heartening renewal of interest in the
facilities expressly tailored to allow young golfers to sport worldwide.
develop their games while still pursuing academic studies
THE GATE | MAY 2019
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