Blake Jirges

Please indicate past awards won/recognitions:
PGA Section Teacher of the Year, GRAA Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional, Other (Indicate specific awards below in 3-a)

Other awards won:
CA Teaching and Coaching Hall of Fame, Golf Digest Top Young Teachers, US Kids Top 50 Master Teacher

Total number of individual lessons given per year:
Male: 40
Female: 40
Junior: 60

Total number of individual clinics given per year:
300

Please indicate any Growth of the Game initiatives your facility/academy has launched over the past year (please give specifics on such programs):
We have started many different types of programs that have engaged our membership. We have continued with our social clinics such as Beers & Bombs, Rookies & Rose, Wedges & Whiskey. We have begun running more ladies sessions that we call Game On Ladies, where we will have anywhere from 8-16 ladies per session. As mentioned in the question below, many of the programs I have been doing over the last 2 years but I did create the Break 80 Program and a lady who has never broken 80 before completed her goal in under 3 weeks! With our beginner junior golfers, we started them in our Crush it Program and we wanted to continue their pathway so we created the Crush it! Advanced Program. Our membership has really enjoyed all of our programs that build community and players are getting better at the game. Lastly, we have complete 3 PGA HOPE Programs that has been a life changer in all of our eyes. We have helped 60 veterans through weekly sessions and have introduced golf to many of them who are now going to play for a lifetime. Our coaches and myself have enjoyed these sessions so much that we would love to help over 100 veterans in 2024.

Please share any programming you have made to keep your customers & students engaged:
Our Academy specializes in programming and we have all different types of programs for all ages and skill levels. Personally I run many different programs that engage both juniors and adults. All programs are done in groups and specialized to their own demographic. Working with beginners and elite players has developed me into understanding the whole golfer. Programs are done in small groups so that I can se my players more often and create a community that encourages one another to accomplish their goals.

Elite Golf Performance – elite juniors 14-18
Junior Elite Training – elite juniors 9-13
High School Development – JV High School Players
Break 80 – Players looking to break 80 for the first time
10 Shots in 10 Weeks – Guarantee shooting 10 shots lower in a 10 week period
It’s Ladies Time – Ladies looking to spend an hour together and enjoy the course or learn a new skill
Biggest Loser – 20% better in a 6 month period
Pro Am Team – Play in Pro Ams with my team
On Course Game Assessments – Taking a player out on the course for the first session
PGA Junior League – 1 Competitive Travel Team – 6 In House Teams
PGA HOPE

Academy Programs
Crush it! Junior Golf
Crush it! Advanced Junior Golf
Advanced Girls Golf
Game On! Ladies
Game On! Gents
Social Clinics with Drinks