Leadbetter Academy to open at La Manga
World-renowned golf coach to open his new academy this September
World-renowned golf coach David Leadbetter will open his new academy at Murcia's five-star La Manga Club in September
World-renowned golf coach David Leadbetter will open a new academy at Murcia's five-star La Manga Club in September.
Leadbetter's new academy at one of Europe's stand-out golf and leisure resorts - which opens on September 15 - is the centrepiece of an extensive €1 redevelopment of the Club's teaching and practice centre.
The only such facility in mainland Spain - and one of a collection of 28 in 13 countries - will have two tuition rooms packed full of the latest technology, including Trackman, SAM PuttLab and K-Vest.
"It's a great honour and privilege for everyone at La Manga Club that David Leadbetter has interrupted his busy schedule to open the new academy," said La Manga Club's General Manager, Jose Ansejo.
"The significant investment that has taken place in the new state-of-the-art facilities here at La Manga Club will help to ensure that the resort is truly in a class of its own in terms of golf and sports coaching facilities, enhancing our reputation as the destination of choice for top amateurs and professionals."
Leadbetter has coached four former world number 1s - Nick Faldo, Greg Norman, Nick Price and Lee Westwood - and has the likes of Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Michelle Wie, Suzann Pettersen and teenage sensation Lydia Ko in his current stable.
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The American will also give a series of one-to-one tuition sessions to resort guests, local juniors and media members during his visit.
As well as the Leadbetter Academy, the newly revamped golf practice centre at La Manga features four short-game areas, three large putting greens and four teaching classrooms.
What's more, the 300 metre-long range boasts two 36-metre Huxley grass tees, three additional mat teeing areas, a 150-metre wide, 35-metre deep grass tee and a number of new targets.
"This great new facility will allow the Leadbetter Golf Academy to be at the hub of the resort's golf operation, and we have been very careful to design the facility with all business sectors in mind," said Gary Silcock, La Manga's Director of Golf.
"I believe the new range is very similar to the one at Augusta, and the targets and fairways are very much in keeping with one of golf's most iconic venues," he added.
La Manga Club boasts unrivalled sports and leisure facilities - including a 5-star hotel, 28 tennis courts, a 2000sqm spa and fitness centre, on-site villas, restaurants and bars - helping reinforce its long-standing reputation as one of world's premier leisure resorts.
Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
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