Steve Dresser

Please indicate past awards won/recognitions:
PGA Section Teacher of the Year, GRAA Growth of the Game Teaching Professional, Golf Digest Best in State

Other awards won (if provided):
GOLF Magazine Top Regional, Golf Magazine Top 25 Schools, Golf Digest Editors Choice, Golf Digest Top 100 Club Fitters

Total number of individual lessons given per year:
Male: 750
Female: 500
Junior: 200 (Staff does most of that)

Total number of individual clinics given per year:
500

Please indicate any Growth of the Game initiatives your facility/academy has launched over the past year (please give specifics on such programs):
My staff and I have been growing golf for 35 years in the Myrtle Beach area. We handle 1000 players per year from all over the world in our “vacation” golf schools. (All inclusive. Accommodations, golf, meals etc.) Thousands more receive lessons, on course instruction, junior camps / clinics, single topic clinics and we have 7 fitting carts. As for specific growth of the game initiatives, we periodically offer free seminars / clinics and have performed 100s of speaking engagements at local schools, Rotary clubs, women’s organizations, etc. I would dare say our mere existence is in itself a Growth of the Game initiative as our (my) brand carries a significant influence in our area and many seeking instruction are directed to us by current and former students.

Please share any programming you have made to keep your customers & students engaged:
We offer a weekly supervised practice session for those taking lessons or attending schools at a deeply discounted rate. It’s usually full swing and players can come in to practice. If their regular instructor is not working the session we get feedback as to what they’re working on so we can make sure they’re on track.
Our weekly email blast includes a new video instructional tip which has helped to double our open rate.
Because so many of our students are tourists, we offer an online lesson packages to help our students continue to improve
We have increased our offering of specific topic clinics limited to 1 hour at an affordable price. The friendly environment has brought in new players, many of whom have moved on to private instruction. The clinic are a great stepping stone for new, perhaps apprehensive, players and for experienced players to brush up on a particular skill.