George Vitense Golf Academy

PGA Golf Professional Staff

PGA PROFESSIONALS

Please scroll down for 2008 lesson information.

Golf instruction from our PGA Professional staff of George Vitense Golf Academy is available year round. We offer a state-of-the-art facility with indoor putting green, super high intensity heaters, overhead retractable door to view full ball flight and custom club fit you any time of year!

Joel Weitz, PGA Professional, is President, General Manager & Director of Golf at Vitense Golfland. Joel has been teaching golf for 16 years and has been a PGA member since 1996. He was recognized as a 2005 Top 50 Golf Instructor in America by Golf Range Magazine published by the Golf Range Association of America. He has taught numerous private and group lessons for all levels and types of players including juniors, seniors, women, beginners, intermediate and advanced players. He has conducted a variety of clinics at local book stores, health clubs and golf expos. Joel is a Past President of the Wisconsin Section of The PGA of America, the 2005 recipient of the Wisconsin PGA Golf Professional of the Year award and the 2006 recipient of the Wisconsin PGA President's Plaque Award for growth of the game and player development initiatives. Under his leadership, Vitense Goflland receently received the SBA's 2007 Wisconsin Family Owned Business of the Year.

Mark Reif, PGA Professional, is Head Golf Instructor of the George Vitense Golf Academy at Vitense Golfland. Mark has worked at Vitense Golfland since 1983 and has been a PGA member since 1992. Mark has a wide range of golf knowledge and experience and has a lengthy resume' of satisfied golf students.

Jim Schuman, PGA Professional, is currently head coach of the University of Wisconsin men's golf team and golf instructor of the George Vitense Golf Academy at Vitense Golfland. He has tremendous playing and teaching experience and has coached and instructed many types of golfers including many accomplished players including current PGA Tour player, Jerry Kelly. He is the 2003 & 2005 Wisconsin PGA Teacher of the Year and 2006 Golf Range Magazine Top 50 Golf Instructor in America.

Bill Furnari, PGA Professional, is a Life Member of The PGA of America. He has been teaching golfers of all levels for over 40 years and retired in 1998 as Personnel Manager of Vitense Golfland where he worked since the business first opened. Although retired from daily management, Bill is still available to provide very experienced golf instruction.

Mike Schnarr - PGA Professional

Mike Schnarr, PGA Professional, is a retired head golf professional from Blackhawk Country Club in Madison, Wisconsin. Mike has experience in teaching golfers of all skill levels and has hundreds of successful examples of satisfied students. Mike is a Past President of the Wisconsin PGA and is also a past recipient of Wisconsin PGA Teacher of the Year.

Derek Schnarr
Head Golf Professional of Vitense Golf Academy & Shop

Derek Schnarr is a very experienced amateur tournament player and accomplished golfer. He has recently become a golf professional and is new to our staff in 2007. He is very knowledgeable of the game and can improve your game in all areas. Contact Derek at dschnarr@vitense.com

Tim Byrne - Assistant Golf Professional

Tim Byrne has assisted in managing golf shop operations and has experience with clubfitting, club bending and club repair. He has taught various private and group lessons.

John Dingle - Assistant Golf Professional

John Dingle has 6 years of experience in teaching golf to a wide variety of players. He has experience with all levels of players. Contact John at jdingle@vitense.com

GEORGE VITENSE GOLF ACADEMY

Our George Vitense Golf Academy staff featuring PGA golf professionals has more than 150 years of combined experience in teaching all levels of golfers. Our goal is not only to improve your golf game but also to increase your enjoyment and satisfaction in playing the game.

Mission Statement

To provide a relaxed, fun atmosphere where golfers of all ages and skill levels can learn, practice, play, shop and enjoy the game for life from experiences offered by our high quality facilities, learning programs, equipment and PGA professionals.

"You don't quit playing because you grow old, you grow old because you quit playing."

George Vitense

Adult Private Golf Instruction - 2008

Academy Practice
Half Price Range Buckets for 2008!

We offer golf instruction by our PGA professional staff while you practice! In academy Practice, for one specific hour every day, our PGA professionals will walk the tee line in a restricted area and provide tips for qualified students. Once you have qualified, all you have to do is buy range balls at just 1/2 price! Anytime your are authorized to attend Academy Practice, buckets may always be purchased at half price!

This unique program will help you practice properly, answer your questions, and keep you on track to improve your game. Please check weekly schedule to determine times for academy practice. To qualify for Academy Practice just register for our private lesson swing development program, beginner golf 101 or the intermediate lesson & play 201.

ACADEMY PRACTICE SCHEDULE
(September 2008)

Monday: 12:00 - 1:00 pm Assistant Golf Professional, Tim Byrne

Tuesday: 9:00 - 10:00 am PGA Professional, Joel Weitz

Wednesday: 7:30 - 8:30 am PGA Professional, Mark Reif

Thursday: 4:30 - 5:30 pm Assistant Golf Professional, Tim Byrne

Friday: 4:00 - 5:00 pm PGA Professional, Joel Weitz

Saturday: 9:00 - 10:00 am Assistant Golf Professional, John Dingle

Sunday: 8:00 - 9:00 am PGA Professional, Joel Weitz

Please check in at front counter for Academy Practice. You will be issued a receipt to give to the attending professional. Please let the attending golf professional know if you would also like to have instruction on any aspect of your short game.

Vitense Golfland reserves the right to change the academy practice schedule at any time.

Private Lesson - 30 Minutes

A private lesson includes one on one instruction by a PGA professional to carefully work with you to address any aspect of your game for improved performance. In addition to golf instruction, recommendations for playing and practicing are included in the 30 minute lesson.

$50 per half hour

Private Lesson - One Hour

$95 per hour

Private Lesson - Golf Improvement Program

Enjoy one on one private instruction above in a series of four half hour private lessons. You also receive one month of "Academy Practice"

Cost: $190

Includes:

Four 1/2 Hour Private Lessons.
One month of unlimited Academy Practice
Half price range buckets during Academy Practice sessions (new in 2008!)
Add just $179 for Unlimited Play 2008 Par 3 Membership (Save $50!)

$480 for four one-hour private lessons with Jim Schuman including unlimited Academy Practice & Academy Club Fitting & Demo.

Take Home V1 Pro Video Swing Analysis
new format for 2008!

V1 Pro is the cutting edge of digital instructional software and using this tool in conjunction with your opportunity to access excerpts from your golf lesson online at the V1 Internet Golf Academy 24/7 makes this the ultimate instructional tool for game improvement. Our experienced PGA professionals will record and compare your swing with PGA tour professionals. Various software tools are used to analyze your swing to make it incredibly easy for you to see where your game can be improved for maximum performance. In addition to the internet recorded lesson, we provide you with an 8 frame golf swing sequence printout for you to take home with you. V1 Pro is an outstanding tool and combined with our PGA Professional expertise, we are confident you will see improvement in your game.

$95 for 50 minutes

Semi-Private Lesson

In semi-private lesson, our PGA professionals will instruct you and another golfer on any aspect of your game. We tailor the lesson to meet the needs and requests of each golfer; you will receive individual attention at an affordable price. Semi-private lessons are offered at various times and include range balls and equipment.

$40 per person for 45 minutes For each additional person (five person maximum), add $40 and 15 minutes to the lesson. ($290 for four lesson golf improvement program for two people which includes one month of unlimited academy practice with half price buckets and free golf instruction.)

Adult Group Golf Instruction - 2008

Adult Beginner Golf 101
BEGINNER GROUP GOLF LESSONS
(Available Year Round)

Click here for

2008 Adult Beginner Golf 101 Registration Form

Designed for golfers with little or no experience
Learn in groups of 5 to 8 students. (4 to 6 students in Winter)
60 minutes each week. Four consecutive weeks.
Areas covered include:
- Grip, stance, setup, full swing
- Short game (putting, chipping, pitching)
- Rules, Etiquette & Equipment
- Some on course instruction included
Classes at 5:45 Monday thru Thursday
Classes at 7:00 Tuesday & Wednesdays
Classes at 10:00 am on Saturdays
Free pass for round on par 3 golf course included.
Receive 4 sessions of Academy Practice which includes opportunity to purchase half price range balls during Academy Practice sessions.
Add just $179 for Unlimited Play 2008 Par 3 Membership (Save $50!)

$105 for four weeks

2008 Beginner Golf 101 Schedule

Mon 5:45 pm May 19,26, June 2, 9

Tue 5:45 pm May 20,27, June 3, 10

Tue 7:00 pm May 20,27, June 3, 10

Wed 5:45 pm May 21,28, June 4, 11

Wed 7:00 pm May 21,28, June 4, 11

Thu 5:45 pm May 22,29, June 5, 12

Sat 10:00 am May 24, 31, June 7,14

Mon 5:45 pm June 23, 30, July 7, 14

Tue 5:45 pm June 24, July 1, 8, 15

Tue 7:00 pm June 24, July 1,8, 15

Wed 5:45 pm June 25, July 2, 9, 16

Wed 7:00 pm June 25, July 2, 9, 16

Thu 5:45 pm June 26, July 3, 10, 17

Sat 10:00 am June 28, July 5, 12, 19

Mon 5:45 pm July 28, Aug 4, 11, 18

Tue 5:45 pm July 29, Aug 5, 12, 19

Tue 7:00 pm July 29, Aug 5, 12, 19

Wed 5:45 pm July 30, Aug 6, 13, 20

Wed 7:00 pm July 30, Aug 6, 13, 20

Thu 5:45 pm July 31, Aug 7, 14, 21

Sat 10:00 am Aug 2, 9, 16, 23

Mon 5:45 pm Sep 8, 15, 22, 29

Thu 5:45 pm Sep 11, 18, 25, Oct 2

Sat 10:00 am Sep 13, 20, 27, Oct 4

Mon 5:45 pm Oct 13, 20, 27, Nov 3

Thu 5:45 pm Oct 16, 23, 30, Nov 6

Sat 10:00 am Oct 18, 25, Nov 1, 8

Mon 5:45 pm Nov 10, 17, Dec 1, 8

Thu 5:45 pm Nov 13, 20, Dec 4, 11

Sat 10:00 am Nov 15, 22, Dec 6, 13

Adult Intermediate Lesson & Play 201
Intermediate Group Golf Lessons

click here for 2008 Adult Intermediate Lesson & Play Flyer

Designed for intermediate golfers or those who have completed Beginner Golf 101 (beginner group lessons).

Groups of 2 to 8 students with up to two PGA Professionals (maximum of 4 to 1 student - teacher ratio)
One hour lesson each week for four consecutive weeks. Two 60 minute lessons on the golf range alternating with two 60 minute lessons on the golf course. Round on golf course is included each week.
Classes at 7:00 pm on Mondays or Thursdays (dates listed below)
Areas covered include:
- In depth full swing analysis
- V1 video swing analysis - includes 8 frame sequence printout of golf swing
- Course management, mental game.
- Equipment (fitting and club selection)
- Greenside bunker shots
- Short game (putting, chipping, pitching, scoring) Video analysis of putting stroke with TOMI putting stroke software
- Free pass on par 3 golf course included.
- Receive 4 sessions of Academy Practice which includes opportunity to purchase half price range balls during Academy Practice sessions.
- Add just $179 for Unlimited Play 2008 Par 3 Membership (Save $50!)

2008 Intermediate Lesson & Play 201 Schedule

Mon 7:00 pm May 19,26, June 2, 9

Thu 7:00 pm May 22,29, June 5, 12

Mon 7:00 pm June 23, 30, July 7, 14

Thu 7:00 pm June 26, July 3, 10, 17

Mon 7:00 pm July 28, Aug 4, 11, 18

Thu 7:00 pm July 31, Aug 7, 14, 21

Mon 7:00 pm Sep 8, 15, 22, 29

Thu 7:00 pm Sep 11, 18, 25, Oct 2

$145 includes four weeks