A nice article in Junes Verve Magazine. Great news for golfers, potential golfers, and those just wanting to have a bit of relaxation and fun in the great outdoors, while trying their hand at something different this winter. The Institute of Golf, run by the passionate and driven Craig Dixon, also regarded as one of New Zealand’s best golf instructors, has opened up this side, and what this man doesn’t know about golf just does not bear thinking about. Even though Lydia Ko is the star of her show, she did not get there without the help and involvement from many devoted to her golfing pr owess. Craig Dixon is one of those. His role was to help advice Guy Wilson on technical improvements that could be made to her game. Craig is also coach to Mike Hendry (New Zealand #1 touring professional), Peter Fowler (senior tour professional), Nick Gillespie (tour professional), and many other up and coming players, along with your everyday player, simply wanting to improve their game. “I always knew I wanted to coach the game of golf. I strive to be the best coach I can be and the players I work with motivate me every day. Seeing players improve is the highest form of motivation,” says Craig. Up until recently The Institute of Golf was based solely in Albany, but a recent tie up with the Golf Warehouse, has seen them also set up shop at New Zealand’s No 1 golf retailer’s Ellerslie premises, centre stage at the Ellerslie race course. Says Craig of their move: “This state of the art facility, is in my opinion the best in the country, with automated tee system, bay dividers that provide distance reading, a short game area and a nine holes course that is just minutes from the city centre.” From this site, The Institute of Golf offers their many class options, as well as individual improvement programmes (similar to those done by Mike and Lydia). Examples of the classes available are: girls’ night golf on Wednesday evenings, mums’ morning golf (drop the kids at school and mosey on over), junior golf beginner classes, and many others. The move has also been a big plus for the Golf Warehouse, says general manager Rhys Bishop. The tie-in with IOG means for every hour their Ellerslie business is open, coaching is now available. School holidays, Christmas, whatever; when the shop is open, IOG have committed to have coaching staff available. “We approached them to help because we were impressed with them, with what they’d done, their attitude to coaching and their system based, professional philosophy,” Rhys said. “They offer the full package.” Bishop is the first to admit his business is about profit and dollars, but: “it has to be based on results and doing what’s best for the customer and that’s what these guys are about,” he said.
Posted on: Mon, 23 Jun 2014 23:47:40 +0000
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