Bridget Ackley

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

Other awards won:
2024 South Florida PGA Player Development, 2021 South Florida PGA Section Youth Player Development, 2020-2023 GRAA Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional, 2021 Southeast Chapter Youth Player Development, 2020 & 2023 U.S. Kids Golf Top 50 Coach

Total number of individual lessons given per year:
Male: 200
Female: 200
Junior: 350

Total number of individual clinics given per year:
550

Please indicate any Growth of the Game initiatives your facility/academy has launched over the past year (please give specifics on such programs):
Over the past year, our facility has launched several successful Growth of the Game initiatives designed to make golf more accessible and engaging for a wide range of participants. Some of these programs include:

Men’s & Ladies’ 9-hole Summer Leagues

One initiative that is unique to The Park is our Path Program. The Path is a community program that impacts the local youth and families of West Palm Beach through education, mentorship, and life skills development. During our Fairway Finders program, students receive homework assistance from certified teachers as well as golf instruction from our PGA coaching staff and fitness from a local PE Teacher.

PGA Jr. League: We’ve expanded our PGA Jr. League to offer more opportunities for young golfers to participate in team-based play, fostering a fun and inclusive environment for juniors of all skill levels. The 5-8 year old’s play their weekly matches on our Par 3 course, while the 9-13 year old’s play their matches on the Championship Course.

Mom’s Club: A six-week clinic created specifically for moms who have been supportive of their junior golfers and now want to learn the game themselves. Each week includes a fun and social element, incorporating cocktails and camaraderie to make the learning experience more enjoyable.

Veterans Clinic: This program is designed for Veterans in the area, providing them with an opportunity to connect with fellow veterans while learning and improving their golf skills. Held on Fridays, this program focuses on building a sense of community, camaraderie, and competition. Many participants are graduates of the PGA HOPE program.

PGA HOPE: Throughout the 2024 year, The Park will have hosted 3 6-week PGA HOPE programs. Our program is uniquely ran by 4 PGA Professionals and 3 PGA Associates who work at The Park. The PGA HOPE program is designed to introduce Veterans to golf in a therapeutic and supportive environment, enhancing their physical and mental well-being. Our Veterans are offered exceptional instruction and plenty of friendly competition throughout all sessions.

Ladies, Golf 101 & Golf 201 Clinics: These have been launched to encourage more women and beginners to take up the game of golf, offering beginner and intermediate clinics that focus on skill development in a relaxed, supportive environment.

PGA Family Golf: The Park introduced PGA Family Golf in the Fall of 2023 where families can come out to the course and enjoy a casual round of golf together. This initiative is geared toward encouraging families to play and enjoy the game as a group.

Golf Camps for Juniors: Our golf camps have been tailored to engage juniors throughout the summer, focusing on skill-building in a fun, interactive setting. These camps cover all aspects of the game, from short game to full swing, and incorporate games and challenges to keep it exciting. The afternoons are spent on the course, where the juniors are able to showcase their learned skills.

Please share any programming you have made to keep your customers & students engaged:
I’ve developed a range of programming designed to keep customers and students engaged and excited about golf year-round. These initiatives aim to foster a sense of community, support skill development, and keep players connected to the game. Here are some key programs:

Junior Clinics: Regular weekly clinics for juniors ages 3-13 of all skill levels, focused on both fun and development. We use the U.S. Kids Golf curriculum which fosters game based learning and challenges to keep things interactive, ensuring that kids stay motivated and engaged.

Women’s Clinics: Beginner and intermediate-level clinics tailored to women, focusing on skill development, fitness, and socializing. This supportive group setting encourages consistent participation.

Golf 101: This clinic is designed for beginner golfers who are looking to enhance their skills while playing the game. All aspects of the game are discussed during the 6-week program.

Golf 201: This 6-week program is designed for golfers with some experience who are ready to refine their skills and lower their scores. Participants receive personalized instruction on advanced swing techniques, short game mastery, and course management strategies.

Summer Camps: These multi-day camps for juniors are filled with fun competitions, instruction, and games designed to keep kids engaged while improving their skills.

Veterans Golf Clinics: These weekly clinics engage local Veterans, providing a sense of community and competition. Veterans can sign up for multiple classes, which keeps them returning to improve their skills and stay involved in the community.