We are finally back from the PGA Show and it was a success! It really is an amazing place to go to, and if you ever have a chance to go, do it! I can’t really put into words about how big the show is (770,000 square ft of display area), and how many miles we have put on our feet, but it is quite evident by watching Jim, Ray and I limp around when got back! I went to many interesting seminars and heard some amazing speakers. My favorite speaker Manuel de la Torre because of the unbelievable respect that other PGA Professionals were showing him when he was speaking. He is one of the greatest golf instructors ever and has been the Head Professional at Milwaukee Country Club for the last 60 years (he is 89)! I also have been learning about the biggest buzz word of the show, the growing world of “Social Media Platforms” (Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, etc). If you haven’t yet, check out our fan page on Facebook, or follow me (Jonescreekpro) or Jones Creek (Jonescreekgolf) on Twitter!
Posted on
January 25th, 2010
by Drew Belt Filed Under: Club News
This week, Ray Mundy, Jim Burton, and I will be traveling to the 57th PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida.The PGA Merchandise Show is a platform for nearly 1,000 vendors representing every business sector of golf.It is located at the spectacular Orange County Convention Center.
The week starts out Wednesday at the Eighth Annual Demo Day at Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge.This will give us a chance to check out the latest in technology advancements by the leading manufacturers in the golf business.More than 80 golf equipment companies will be there featuring everything from drivers, woods, and irons, to club fitting and instructional aides.
The next three mornings are packed with a wide variety of seminars about different areas of interest in the golf business.A few of the seminars that we are attending are; Developing Junior Golfers, The Consumer Research Model, and Retail Best Practices.The rest of the days will be spent trying to see what the 1,000 vendors have to offer!
This will be an exciting week for us here at Jones Creek and we are looking forward to coming back and sharing everything that we learned at the show with you!
Posted on
January 20th, 2010
by Jim Burton Filed Under: Club News
Jordan Johnstun
I just competed in my first tournament as a professional which took place in Ocoee, Florida on January 12-14. I posted rounds of 72-70 totalling to an even par tournament, but unfortunately I missed the cut by 2 strokes. With 5 holes left to complete in my second round the Hooters Tour officials called the round due to darkness. I was even par for my round when the horn blew and knew I had to make a couple of birdies the following morning to make the cut. I was able to make only 1 birdie but was pleased with how I finished because the last few holes were the toughest on the course. I was happy with certain areas of my game and took a lot of positives away from the week, although I missed the cut. I found myself getting to caught up in “just trying to make the cut” instead of going out to try and win. As long as I keep learning each and every week I believe I will succeed. My next event will be the Hooters Tour Carolina Series in North Myrtle Beach, February 2-4. I will be sending out another post after the tournament. Thank you Jones Creek for all your support!
Posted on
January 19th, 2010
by Jim Burton Filed Under: Club News
Lately you may have seen this sweet swinging left hander hitting balls at the driving range . If you dont know Jordan yet we are sure you soon will. Jordan just finished his amateur college golf career and obtained his degree at Georgia Southern. After a stellar amateur career that included winning the Augusta City Championship three consecutive years, two trips to the US Amateur and countless other amateur successes, Jordan is ready to start his professional career. If you see him at the course make sure to say hi and please check the blog as Jordan will be sending posts of his tournaments. We
Jordan Johnstun
are looking forward to following this talented and fine young man and we are all proud he is associated with Jones Creek. All the best Jordan.
Posted on
January 18th, 2010
by Jim Burton Filed Under: Club News
Jones Creek is proud to announce a partnership with LPGA touring pro Nicole Jeray. What an exciting time for Nicole having finished fifth at this years Q School making her exempt for the 2010 season. Look for news of a meet and greet planned for this month and Nicoles upcoming posts on this blog. It will be very exciting following her year, and getting personal updates and insights on her tournaments. All the best Nicole from everyone here at Jones Creek.
Posted on
January 5th, 2010
by Jim Burton Filed Under: Uncategorized
Drew and student Walker
Congratulations! You have been selected as an Honorable Mention Top Kids Teacher by U.S. Kids Golf for 2009 The selection process for the Top 50 has been completed and it was very difficult to not include everyone since there are so many qualified candidates, including yourself, who are committed to kids golf– what a great thing for our game and the industry. The basis from which our committee worked was the information submitted by candidates and while you were not selected, your name will be included on our Honorable Mention page on our web site at www.uskidsgolf.com
These lists comprise America’s most talented and dedicated kid’s teachers in the game today. We applaud your commitment to your kids, their parents and your staff members who make a difference in the lives of so many.
We wish you a great 2010 season and the rewards it brings.
Posted on
December 17th, 2009
by Gregg Hemann Filed Under: Club News
Happy Holidays from Gregg and Ray
With Christmas just around the corner it is time to look back on this past year and reflect on our many blessings. It is also a time to help others that are in need. Those of us that are able to spend time with our families are truly blessed. We all need to thank the men and women who are serving in the military and who allow us to enjoy the freedoms that we all have. Many in the service are unable to be with their families and we extremely fortunate that they serve this great country. The holidays help bring us all together and we feel that the employees and our Members are our extended family. We thank you that you have chosen Jones Creek as your golf club.
We have worked hard to improve Jones Creek Golf Club in all aspects despite this down economy. Our Membership has grown tremendously which indicates we are moving in the right direction. We are seeing pretty good turnout for our Tuesday Pasta night and Thursday night dinners. We are very excited about the relationship with Medicus and look for great things out of that part of the operation. We have also created a new Membership catagory called the “Founders Club”. This Membership is a lifetime Membership with tremendous perks. We are almost halfway toward reaching our goal!
In closing, we would like to thank everyone who has supported our efforts here at Jones Creek. Ray and I take this place home with us every night as we continuously try to make this Club as nice as possible and a place where you, the Member, want to spend your leisure time. We hope you have a safe and joyous holiday and are able to spend extra time with family.
Posted on
December 10th, 2009
by Drew Belt Filed Under: instruction
Easily, the most fun I have as a Golf Professional is teaching. I love to teach every player; no matter the skill level. But, most of all I love to teach students that want to learn and strive to be better players. It really is nice and fun to see when my students become not only better players, but better people. There is nothing better than the smile I see when a student starts to “get it.” Here, at Jones Creek, I have had the opportunity to interact and teach many junior golfers. Along with teaching, regularly I attend tournaments in the area. The results the juniors have achieved this year in the tournamnents has been simply tremendous! The kids are continuously improving here at Jones Creek!
Fairways and Greens,
Drew Belt
Below is a video of Kelby Burton from the 2009 Bobby Chapman Invitational.
“Drew has done an amazing job with my children. He has changed the way they think, play and score on the golf course. Andrew (14) was consistently scoring in the 100’s a year ago during tournaments and now he has lowered his handicap to 14 from the Championship tees. Alex (7) has been playing competitive golf for less than a year and has placed in the top 4 in his last 7 tournaments for the AJGM tour. He has a wonderful way of getting through to the kids. Drew’s work ethic and love for the game of golf is infectious. We have seen a huge transformation in how our kids attitudes and motivation has changed toward golf. The lessons that our kids get from Drew now, will be invaluable to them as they grow in golf and in life. Thanks’ Drew!!!!!” -Derek A. Colligan
“Since I have played the game of golf I have struggled to score and was unable to find a consistent teacher that I could work with for a long period of time. Meeting Drew Belt was one of the best things that could have happened for my golf career. He has been able to continuously push me to practice diligently on my swing. The lengths that I have taken with my swing are amazing to me and I couldn’t have possibly done it without Drew’s eye and expertise.” -Kelby Burton
“I would like to express my gratitude toward you in regards to my son Walker. As you may know, my 8 years of PGA teaching golf experience has been a blessing in helping Walker gain the fundamentals at an early age. At the same time, the father son relationship is not necessarily conducive to the teacher/student relationship. I had reached an early limitation in the ability to influence at the level needed to improve Walker to the next level.
As someone who studied the golf swing and the game of golf for many years and was fortunate enough to have multiple students move on to the PGA tour, I am ecstatic to see your skills at a very high level so you can partner with my son. There is clear evidence you have taken a focused interest in the details of all aspects of golf. I have 100% confidence you can teach the technical aspect of the game to all levels of skill.
More important than being able to utilize a golf gadget or computer during a lesson, you posses the true gifts of teaching-communication skills. You are able to motivate, inspire, gain a student’s trust, and develop the body and mind while making the game fun. I have witnessed many teachers with knowledge, but they lack the communication skills needed to inspire a students will to grow.
I have seen Walker eat and sleep golf since you have been his instructor. The most valuable reward you have given to Walker with your teaching are the results. As you know, Walker has won 5 out of his last 6 tournaments and fired off a one under par during one of the tournaments. Not bad for 8 months of instruction with a 12 year old.
Walker looks up to you as a leader and a mentor. I could not be more happy as a father to see him emulate someone of your character, principles, and knowledge. I want to sincerely thank you Drew.”
Posted on
December 8th, 2009
by Drew Belt Filed Under: Club News
There has never been a better time than now to be a Member here at Jones Creek! Beginning in 2010 there are some new and exciting tournaments here just for Members. If you haven’t picked up your “2010 Schedule of Events” card yet, you can find them in the Golf Shop today! One tournament that you might not understand is the POY Shootout (Player of the Year Shootout), which will crown the Jones Creek “Player of the Year.”
The “Player of the Year” is based upon a point system with points given out, due to a players finish in the 4 “major” golf tournaments. To be eligible for “Player of the Year”, you must participate in 2 out of the 4 “majors.”
üThe Spring Shootout
üMember Match Play
üClub Championship
üThe Fall Shootout
At the end of the year we will take the top 10 players from the point list and have a Player of the Year (POY) Shootout. Each player will play hole #10 together and the worst net score gets kicked out. If there is a tie then we will chip off. This will continue until hole #18 where there will be only 2 players left and the winner will be crowned “Player of the Year!”
Posted on
December 7th, 2009
by bjhathaway Filed Under: instruction
by: B. J. Hathaway, Teaching Professional
The Medicus Golf Learning Center at Jones Creek would like to welcome five new golfers to our Junior Development Program.
Hunter Dunagan, Hayden Stencel, Avery Wagaman, Preston Wagaman, and Riley Wagaman are just starting their journey to better golf and we are very pleased to have them aboard. If you would like your junior to have the opportunity to experience our elite program please contact us or come by the Learning Center and tour our facility.
