8 Page Brochure - Mike Bender Golf Academy

Mike Bender
Elite Golf Academy
Magnolia Plantation Golf Club, Lake Mary, FL
World-Class Coaching and Unique Training
Makes this the Home of Champions
The Mike Bender Elite Golf
Academy (MBEGA) is designed to
deliver a complete training
experience to golfers dedicated to
reaching their full competitive
potential at the collegiate and
professional ranks. Located in the
Orlando suburb of Lake Mary,
Florida, the training center has
been developed by worldrenowned instructor Mike Bender.!
Since opening the academy in
1991, Bender has coached more
than 90 juniors to earning college
golf scholarships. !
A former PGA Tour player,
Bender is ranked among the Top
Five Greatest Teachers in America
by Golf Digest Magazine and is the
2009 PGA of America National
Teacher of the Year. He coaches
many of the game’s top
professionals including 2007
Masters champion Zach Johnson;
multiple LPGA champion Seon
Hwa-Lee; two-time U.S. Open
Champion Lee Janzen; and PGA
Tour winners Jonathan Byrd and
Robert Damron.!
Bender also coaches many of
the top junior players from Florida
and across the United States. One
of his 14-year-old students
qualified for the Hong Kong Open
in 2008 and made the cut, breaking
Sergio Garcia’s record as the
youngest to make a cut in a major
men’s professional tour event. He
returned in 2009 and made the cut
again and in 2011 became the No. 1
ranked junior boy golfer in the
United States.!
Mike will teach his Elite Golf
Academy students the same way
he teaches winners of the game’s
biggest championships. This is an
intensive program designed to
develop all the skills necessary for
success at the collegiate or
professional level. It includes
proprietary training methods such
as the MEGSA Perfect Practice
Equipment and a unique speed
training system that no other
academy can offer at this time. Our
academy also has two state-of-theart TrackMan launch monitors and
the SAM Putt stroke analyzer
technologies to provide the most
complete and accurate swing data
available today.!
Training takes place at the
Magnolia Plantation Golf Club in
Lake Mary. The course stretches to
7,150 yards and offers students an
unparalleled training experience. !
If you are dedicated to your
goals and ready to take your game
to a much higher level, focus your
ambition at the Mike Bender Elite
Golf Academy.
Mike Bender
Growing
up in
Waterloo,
Iowa, Mike
Bender
was an
inveterate
tinkerer.
He would
dismantle,
then reassemble, radios,
televisions, bicycles and anything
else that could be taken apart and
put back together. It was this razor
sharp mechanical aptitude, an eye
for detail and a passion for golf
that have allowed this Midwestern
native to become one of the top
golf instructors in the world.!
Today, Bender can efficiently
assemble a better golf swing for
any golfer from rank beginners to
the game's top touring
professionals. This extraordinary
knowledge combined with his
ability to explain the fundamentals
in a clear and concise manner is
why he has been named the PGA
of America’s 2009 National Teacher
of the Year, is ranked among the
Top 5 Greatest Teachers in America
by Golf Digest Magazine and, for
more than a decade, has been
included in GOLF Magazine’s Top
100 Teacher list.!
As Bender
has achieved
world-wide
recognition
among his peers,
the game’s top
players have
sought out his
advice. Zach
Johnson, 2007 Masters champion,
has trained with Mike since
Johnson was launching his
professional career on the minitours more than a decade ago.
LPGA tournament winners, Seon
Hwa Lee and Joo Mi Kim also
have spent significant time with
Mike along with Vicki Hurst, fivetime winner on the Futures Tour
and now on the LPGA Tour. More
recently, PGA Tour veterans
including Jonathan Byrd, Skip
Kendall, Robert Damron, D.J.
Brigman and two-time U.S. Open
champion Lee Janzen have put
their faith in Mike. All told, Bender
has helped more than two-dozen
PGA, Champions and LPGA Tour
professionals to more than 20 wins
on the world’s major tours. !
"Mike Bender is
one of America's
Top 5 Greatest
Teachers" !
-Golf Digest
Many of these professionals
have a high comfort level with
Mike because they know he has
been in their shoes. Bender was a
three-time NCAA All-American
and two-time NCAA Division III
individual champion before
spending three seasons on the
PGA Tour from 1987-89.!
This high level of competition
inspired Mike to search out top
teachers to improve his own game.
While he was competing, he spent
significant time learning about the
golf swing from Ben Doyle, Mike
Adams, David Leadbetter and Mac
O’Grady, all of whom have been
ranked among the 50 Greatest
Teachers in America by Golf
Digest. It was while working with
these teachers that Bender’s swing
theories were refined. But having a
solid understanding of the golf
swing doesn’t necessarily make a
teacher great. The instructor must
also have a burning desire to
clearly transfer this knowledge
into each student’s game.!
Mike not only wants to be able
to explain how a student should
make the most
efficient golf
swing possible,
but he wants to
make sure the
student feels the
proper swing for
himself. Once
the student can feel the proper
motion, it becomes critical to find
ways to enable the student to
develop the correct motion even
when the teacher isn’t watching.
Bender’s revolutionary solution is
called MEGSA PPE which stands
for Most Efficient Golf Swing
Attainable Perfect Practice
Equipment and has been used by
more than a dozen touring
professionals, including Johnson.
This comprehensive training
station allows golfers to hit shots
while avoiding adjustable
bumpers, which provide real-time
feedback as to whether or not the
club and body are in the preferred
positions during the swing.
Thousands of amateurs are already
hooked on MEGSA PPE at select
facilities around the world.!
Today, from his home base
near Orlando, Bender continues to
tinker, designing new training aids
and trying to understand in even
more detail what traits can make a
golf swing even more efficient. It is
a quest for perfection that will
never be complete, it is also a quest
that has made
Bender one of the
game’s finest
instructors.
The MBEGA Training Philosophy!
The Mike Bender Elite Golf Academy
strives to create the optimal learning
and training environment for junior
golfers to reach their full potential. The
training center’s students are immersed
in an atmosphere where everything
from the game’s basic fundamentals to
the little-known subtle keys to success
are incorporated into each day.!
At our academy, we combine Mike
Bender’s major-championship winning
MEGSA swing method with a
comprehensive plan to maximize each
student’s tournament preparation,
practice techniques, physical
conditioning and game management
skills.!
Our elite training program also emphasizes the proper mental approach to a successful career in golf.
Scientific research shows that it takes a minimum of eight to 12 years of training for an athlete to reach the elite
levels of his or her sport. Unfortunately, too many coaches approach training with an attitude best characterized
as the "win early and win often" approach. At the MBEGA, our commitment is to long-term athletic development
incorporating all aspects of training, development and management, which is the only reliable route to long-term
elite status. Best of all, Mike is on site nearly every day coaching and training the academy students himself.!
A specific and well-planned training regime will ensure optimum development and control the stress
recovery cycle that leads to over-training and burnout. Ultimately, success is tied to training and performing well
in the long-term, rather than winning in the short-term. There are no shortcuts to success in athletic preparation.
Rushing development almost always results in shortcomings in physical, technical and tactical abilities. The
uniqueness of the MBEGA can be defined in our periodization approach to every critical training element.!
Developing confident student/athletes, who strive to improve and love to compete, is the essence and core
competency of the Mike Bender Elite Golf Academy. Here are some of the areas we concentrate on with all of our
students.!
!
High-tech Swing Analysis!
The MBEGA utilizes a video analysis system that allows an
instructor to film a student's swing and digitize it onto a
computer. With the aid of proprietary software, our
instructors can analyze and identify even subtle faults and
illustrate them to each student. Each session is taped and
available to the student for future reference and to
demonstrate tangible progress. Our academy also has access
to two state-of-the-art TrackMan launch monitors and a SAM
Putt stroke analyzer to provide the most accurate swing data
available anywhere. These technologies are used by hundreds
of players on the PGA and LPGA Tours every single week.!
!
Drills and Practice Technique!
To achieve long-term athletic development, practice sessions are conducted
every day. This consistent approach enables students to achieve a greater
grasp of the swing’s finer points that require significant time to master. To
achieve consistency and maximum power, our instructors prescribe
corrective drills tailored to each student's individual needs.!
!
Additionally, students refine their skills using the MEGSA Perfect
Practice Equipment developed by Bender to fine-tune their technical skills.
High quality practice is more valuable than high volume practice. We don't
want to have our students practice longer to improve, rather we give them
unique tools to practice more effectively to achieve the desired result
sooner.!
Course Management!
It takes more than the correct technique to become a champion golfer. It includes mastering the art of managing
oneself and the golf course. Our coaches have all played the game at the professional level and understand what
is necessary to compete at the highest levels. To this end, a significant amount of each student's time is spent
training and competing on the golf course under various conditions under the watchful eyes of our elite coaching
staff. By playing often, students have the opportunity to apply what they have learned on the practice tee and in
class. Comprehensive statistics are recorded and each round is discussed and analyzed with one of the MBEGA
instructors.!
!
Fitness Training!
Sports-specific training is essential to the success of any
athlete. Having understood the need for strength and fitness
in the elite levels of professional golf, our academy has
retained fitness professionals and have specialized weighttraining equipment on site to develop and implement golfspecific fitness plans for all students.!
Our academy also offers the first of its kind Speed Training
Course designed to increase clubhead speed in our students.
The program was designed by our very own Scott Sheppard
and is a big competitive advantage for our students.!
By applying a tailored approach based on each athlete’s
individual needs and goals we can enhance strengths and address weaknesses to truly maximize the time
investment in all of these areas: Mobility/Flexibility, Core Posture, Movement, Strength and Power and Energy
System Development.!
!
Tournament Preparation!
Since mental preparation is a major part of golf, one of the instructor's
roles is to assist students in developing formal routines for on and off the
course. Formalized routines make for more consistent play and allow
students to focus more clearly while competing. Students practice in all
types of weather and are trained to handle all types of inclement
conditions during tournament play. Because all of our
staff instructors have significant experience competing
at the professional level, we are able to fully prepare
our students for the rigors of competing against the
game's elite players.!
!
Why our program offers the best competitive
coaching available in the game today:!
• World-class instruction by Mike Bender, who is on site nearly every day, and his certified instructors.!
• Daily practice at our new $1 million world-class comprehensive training center. !
• All training is individually customized, efficient, precise and goal oriented.!
• Periodized Training to help each athlete reach peak performance for key tournaments.!
• Training fully integrated to develop technical, tactical, physical, mental and nutritional components. !
• A wide variety of practice techniques creates proper stimulation and avoids boredom and burnout.!
• While the primary objective is individual improvement, we also emphasis making the process fun. !
• One of the few facilities in the world to offer the TrackMan launch monitor swing analysis, SAM
Putt Lab putting stroke analysis and V-1 video swing analysis.!
• Training on the MEGSA Perfect Practice Equipment used by multiple major champions for training.!
• Comprehensive golf-specific fitness program with a certified Titleist Performance Institute trainer.!
• A mental training program designed from feedback from top PGA and LPGA Tour professionals.
Sample Weekly Training Schedule
Day
Monday
Time
2pm - 6pm
Training Activities*
Review of weekend tournament rounds with coaches!
Swing training and analysis using V-1 software program!
Short game and putting drills with emphasis on technique (may include SAM
PuttLab analysis)
Tuesday
2pm - 6pm
MEGSA Perfect Practice Equipment reinforcement drills!
Lesson with Mike Bender!
Short game and putting training including practice on our unique wedge range!
Physical conditioning and speed training
Wednesday
2pm - 6pm
On-course practice at Magnolia Plantation or Tournament Practice Round!
Putting feel and technique drills
Thursday
2pm - 6pm
On-course practice at Magnolia Plantation!
Short game and putting training including practice on our unique wedge range!
Physical conditioning and speed training
Friday
2pm - 6pm
On-course practice at Magnolia Plantation !
Yardage control and shotmaking practice on TrackMan launch monitor!
Mental coaching with Cheryl Anderson including tournament strategy!
Putting feel drills incorporating competition
Saturday-Sunday
Tournament round or academy and course are available for optional practice
* Schedule will vary week to week depending upon tournament and academic schedules.
Our Instructors and Coaches!
Cheryl Anderson, Director of Instruction!
GOLF Magazine includes Cheryl Anderson among its prestigious list of the Top 100 Teachers in
America. Golf Digest says she’s one of the Top 10 Women Teachers in America. The LPGA
named her their 2006 LPGA National Teacher of the Year and she also was named 2007
Metropolitan (NY) PGA Section Teacher of the Year while she was instructing at Wykagyl C.C.
in New Rochelle, NY. !
Besides her teaching awards, Anderson is also one of the best woman club pro competitors
ever. In 2004 she earned the Metropolitan PGA Section Women’s Player of the Year award for a
record fifth consecutive season. She also was runner-up in the 2002 LPGA National Club
Professional Championship and has competed in numerous LPGA Tour events. !
!
!
Matt Wilkes, Head Instructor!
Before arriving at the Mike Bender Golf Academy, Matt Wilkes worked at other top facilities in
Central Florida including Shingle Creek and Grand Cypress. He was also David Leadbetter's
personal assistant and general manager at Leadbetter's headquarters in Champions Gate,
Florida. !
Matt is a talented instructor who deeply cares about helping each student maximize their
improvement. He also is an extraordinarily talented club fitter and works closely with each of
our Elite students to make sure they have the best set of clubs for their game. He worked for
Titleist for two years as their local Demo Tech Representative and as a club fitter. !
!
Matt Brown, Mike Bender Elite Golf Academy Program Director and Head Coach!
Matt Brown has spent more than 15 years teaching and coaching golf. During this time he has
trained with some of the game’s best instructors while working with top amateur, PGA and
LPGA Tour players. He has also designed and managed junior golf development programs for
David Leadbetter, Gary Gilchrist, and IMG Academy. !
Matt specializes in coaching elite junior development programs with an emphasis on
quality. He has sent former elite juniors to Oklahoma State, Duke University, University of
Arkansas, North Texas and New Mexico State on scholarship.!
!
Todd Casabella, Instructor!
Todd Casabella began his career in golf at an early age caddieing at the club where his father
was the Head Golf Professional. He earned a full scholarship to Liberty University, a Division I
school in Lynchburg, VA. While at Liberty he was a two-time team MVP, the Team Captain for
three years and upon graduation received the Coaches Award for Outstanding Contribution
from the Athletic Department. After college, he turned professional and pursued a career in golf
playing various mini-tours while working at private clubs in the summers in Ohio. Todd is a
certified Level 2 Golf Instructor and Level 2 Junior Coach from Titleist Performance Institute. !
!
Scott Shepard, Physical Therapist MSPT/CSCS!
TPI Certified Golf Fitness Instructor Scott Shepard is a licensed Physical Therapist and
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He is also certified in golf-specific fitness by the
Titleist Performance Institute. Shepard has trained nationally-ranked junior golfers,
Nationwide, PGA Tour and LPGA players including multiple-tournament winner Seon Hwa
Lee. Along with Mike Bender has created a unique Speed Course training
program that will help all MBEGA students to increase their clubhead speed.
The new Mike Bender Golf Academy, opened in 2013, includes nearly $1 million in new training facilities.
Mike Bender’s Current Touring Professionals
Mike Bender currently coaches Touring professionals
including (wins while working with Mike): !
• Zach Johnson (PGA Tour) (2007 Masters and 10 other
PGA Tour wins)!
• Jonathan Byrd (PGA Tour) (2010 Justin Timberlake
Shriners and 2011 Hyundai Tournament of Champions)!
• Lee Janzen (PGA Tour)!
• D.J. Brigman (PGA Tour) (2010 Nationwide Children’s !
Hospital Invitational)!
!
!
!
• Robert Damron (PGA Tour)!
• Seon Hwa Lee (LPGA Tour) (4-time winner on LPGA !
Tour)!
• Chella Choi (LPGA Tour)!
• Jonathan Moore (Asian PGA Tour)!
Zach Johnson, Mike Bender and Jonathan Byrd
580 Shadowmoss Circle, Lake Mary, Florida 32746
407-321-0444
www.mikebender.com