Tom Jackson brings vision to fruition with The Core Golf Junior Academy
I received this press release from golf communications superstar Tim O’Connor and I couldnt be happier. I was fortunate enough to have met Tom Jackson years ago when he was head of instruction for Clublink working out of Glen Abbey. Tom is an outstanding guy and great educator. I wish him nothing but the best.
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ORLANDO, Florida (June 22, 2010)–About 10 years ago, Tom Jackson had not one but two visions when he began laying the foundation for what would become the Core Golf Junior Academy.
Jackson, one of Canada’s top instructors, saw the potential for a world-class golf academy in Orlando, Florida.
And he saw the potential in Sean Foley and Dr. Craig Davies, both of whom have become stars on the PGA Tour.
”My feeling was that there was an opportunity for an academy that maintained a healthy ratio of coaches to students, and stressed improvement in all aspects of one’s golf life,” says Jackson, Director of Instruction at the Academy located at Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge just west of Orlando.
That vision has become a reality and a success: The Core Golf Junior Academy enters its fifth year of operations in September as a full-time golf development program offering high-school aged students from around the world comprehensive golf instruction and high quality private school with its education partner Windermere Preparatory School.
For junior golfers looking to fulfill their golf dreams, it’s ideal. They live in Core Golf’s residences with other students and their house parents; they go to Windermere Preparatory School until mid-afternoon and then work with their golf coaches at the academy until dinner. On most weekends, they play in highly competitive junior tournaments scouted by NCAA coaches.
Core Golf coaches places a major emphasis on taking their students` games to the next level, which is college golf, and guiding them through the scholarship process. Most graduating Core students receive scholarships. In 2010, Core started a scholarship consulting service called College Golf Connect to help more students obtain scholarships.
Jackson’s original idea for an academy was hatched after one of his Canadian students was extremely disappointed by his experience at a major U.S. junior academy. The student found the academy overcrowded and the coaching inconsistent.
Plan went into action in 2006
In 2006, Jackson put his plan in motion and up-and-coming junior coach Foley and his wife Kate jetted to Orlando in 2006 to start the academy.
Today, Foley is now regarded as one of the PGA Tour’s best swing coaches, with Stephen Ames, Hunter Mahan, Parker McLachlin, Sean O’Hair, Justin Rose (recent winner of the Memorial), and Canadians Lorie Kane and Lisa Meldrum on the LPGA Tour.
”I always thought Sean would get to where he is now, and I think his potential is unlimited,” says Jackson, who has more 25 years experience as a teacher, tour professional and golf administrator.
Jackson also saw great potential in Dr. Craig Davies, Core’s Director of Fitness and Nutrition for the past four seasons. Along with coaching Core students, Dr. Davies works with Y.E. Yang, winner of the 2009 PGA Championship, and Ames, Mahan, John Rollins and Robert Allenby.
This fall, Core Golf will introduce a more intensive mental performance program with mind coach Bob Skura, author of How Great Golfer’s Think. Jackson is confident the enhanced mental performance coaching will elevate the on-course performance of Core students.
”My goal was to surround myself with the best people in golf instruction, fitness and mental performance and provide them the facility and support to practice and perform what they do best,” says Jackson, who moved to Orlando in August 2009 to run the academy full-time.
The junior academy is part of the Core Golf Academy which provides high-quality instruction at Piper’s Heath GC in Milton, Ontario and Willow Valley GC in Hamilton, Ontario.
As Core Golf continues to grow, Jackson and his colleagues are focused on making their pupils better, both on and off the golf course.
”Everyone involved with Core Golf is passionate about what we are doing. Most importantly, we care first and foremost about the kids, their well being and improvement.“
For more information, visit www.coregolfacademy.com.
