100 - Highlands Golf Park

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GOLF RANGE MAGAZINE
100
THE TOP
GOLF RANGES IN AMERICA 2006
Leatherman Golf Learning Center, Charlotte, North Carolina ▲
Since taking over the operation that was the old Michael Jordan Golf Center, owner and
PGA member Chris Leatherman reaches out to the community in many ways: hosts clinics,
volunteers at the USBGA Camp for Visually Impaired Children; Special Olympics donates
the facility for its annual cookout and mini-golf/range party; is Involved with local chapter
of Executive Women’s Golf Association; participates in the Free 10 Minute Lesson Program
and even hosted a Play Golf America Day in March 2005. The 3,000 sq. ft. pro shop is
stocked with many specialty items and name-brand clubs and softgoods.
The Golf Club At Chelsea Piers, New York, New York ▲
The Golf Academy at Chelsea Piers, in New York City offers a high-tech,
2,000-square-foot indoor training center. There’s also an indoor bunker complex
and two Full Swing simulators, as well as full digital instruction. The Golf Academy
features a variety of schools and private/semi-private instruction for novice and
accomplished golfers. With 12 instructors in the Academy, The Golf Club at
Chelsea Piers is the major player in Gotham when it comes to golf instruction.
Highland Green Golf Links, Jackson, Tennessee ▲
Special kudos to Keith Dory who owns and manages Highland Golf Links in
Jackson, TN. Growing up in Milwaukee and playing Dreztka Golf Course, he
went on to a college golf career. Now he runs a facility, built back in 1962,
that is approaching a Top 100 because of his drive. With 51 grass tees and a
9 hole short course, Dory is pursuing his dream as its new owner and head
teaching professional. He’s proud that his students have earned $500,000 in
scholarships through his junior academy.
portfolio❉
Arundel Golf Park, Glen Burnie, Maryland ▼
Arundel Golf Park one of the most complete state-of-the-art practice facilities in
Maryland. The range is lighted and includes heated stalls. There is miniature golf
as well as baseball batting cages. The teaching staff is noted for their extensive
junior and women programs. For the past two years they’ve served as a regional
host for the Re/Max Long Drive
Qualifier as well as for the
LDA Pinnacle Exceptional
Driver Championship.
Perche Creek Golf Club, Columbia, Missouri ▼
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Perche Creek is one of those classic golf and sport facilities
that caters to a full range of users. With top quality golf, an 18-hole short course, a 2,000
sq. ft pro shop, batting cages and go-karts, there’s something for everyone. Started by
Richard Poe, a golf patriarch around Columbia, who was the head golf professional at the
Country Club of Missouri from 1972-90 and the head men’s golf coach at the University of
Missouri from 1977-99. Richards’s son, Jake, joins him in every facet of the operation. Jake
is a graduate of Stanford and was a walk-on for
the golf team in 1994, in the same class as
Notah Begay and Tiger Woods. Perche Creek
continues to expand and Jake even opened a
new downtown Columbia pro shop location.
All Seasons Golf Learning Center, Normal, Illinois ▼
This place has it all...the new Hollrock Golf/Pareto autotee’s, synthetic turf
landing area, a stable of top professionals and a well-stocked pro shop.
It even features a rather upscale eating establishment called Swingers Grill
with great views over the facility. Next up is a sports bar called Scores that
will open later this winter. Rain or shine, with two-tiers of
covered and heated bays, this college town knows where
to hang out.