Mark Janes Golf Academy : professional golf instruction at Chessington Surrey

Wishing you a
Healthy and Happy 2008
from the team at the
Mark Janes Golf Academy

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24th November 2006

Christmas Vouchers

Christmas
Lesson Gift Vouchers
Now Available

Why not give a friend, family member, or colleague a unique present this Christmas, in the form of a
Mark Janes Golf Academy Lesson Voucher. Vouchers can be tailor-made to your requirements from as little as £21.00. For more details or to purchase a Christmas Gift Voucher please call Mark, one of the academy team or speak to any member of staff in the Golf Shop.

Tel: 020 8391 9038 Email: mark@markjanes.com website: www.markjanes.com

Beginner Groups

Our next great value six week course starts on Wednesday 15th November – 7pm – 8pm, this is the last class before Christmas, more dates to follow in the New Year!! For more information or to book your place on one this course, please call Tom on 020 8391 9038. Remember just five to a group!!

Chessington Golf Centre Refurbishment

Just to keep you updated on the work being carried out, the slight reduction in length and width to the range is only temporary and our aim is to keep the disruption to a minimum during this period. We have also started work on the clubhouse building, extension to the kitchen and bar area, both are still currently open. We will stay fully operational over the winter period; lessons will be available as per our usual schedule. Once completed we are sure you will be very impressed with the improvements made to the driving range area.

From October 2006 the golf course will also undergo many improvements including a completely redesigned 2nd hole and increases in length to the 3rd, 5th and 6th holes. A major new water feature is also being constructed. Whilst we aim to keep disruption to a minimum, there will be times when certain holes will be affected. However, it is our priority to keep the course open (and in a good playable condition) throughout this period. The one exception to this is the 2nd hole, which will be closed with immediate effect, therefore making the course only 8 holes, not 9 holes.

Because of this we are offering a DAY TICKET for the same price as a normal green fee.
Once again, sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your custom.

Junior Golf

Tom ran a very successful competition for the children during the October Half-Term, the winner of which was young Harry Lewis and in second place was Cameron Bell, so well done to you guys and indeed all who took part. More competitions will be run during holidays throughout next year. Tom’s work at the five new schools has started and feedback is excellent, the Tri Golf is going down a storm!! This is a combination of regular instruction for the older children and Tri Golf for the little ones. Tri Golf is using the plastic clubs and sponge balls, great for getting the little ones involved at such a young age, good fun for us too!! So if your children don’t have golf on offer at their school, please let us know and we can arrange to do an assembly for all the children and get them involved with this great game.

Junior Christmas Holiday lessons –

Why not let us entertain the children this Christmas Holiday, with three hours of instruction for just £20!!

Dates and times as follows –

Thursday 21st December - Friday 22nd December - Thursday 28th December

Please give Tom a call to book your place, 020 83919038

Don’t forget make the most of this time of year and work on your game ready for the start of next season. Now that the competitions are finished and the nights are drawing in, spend some time on the range fine tuning that technique. With some regular practice sessions and a course of lessons this winter, your game will be in top shape come the New Year!!

Happy Golfing, see you soon.

All the team at MJGA

18th October 2006

Ryder Cup – Ireland
22nd Sept – 24th Sept

Ok, so I was being kind to the USA with my 2 point win margin for the Europeans, in the end it was a drubbing and I loved every minute of it!!
What a weekend and what a golf course the K Club is, will most definitely be popping over again for a few days golf in the not too distant future. If any of you guys have played it, let me know your thoughts? Having traveled extensively and seen many courses around the world I was so impressed with this course, at 7,385 yards it certainly is not for the faint hearted, but the condition and layout is out of this world.

Even with all the rain the greens ran so fast, to be honest even the fairways are smooth enough to putt on!
Our boys were simply magnificent, each and every one of them were in sublime form, really raising their games when the pressure was on. Having studied NLP and always been fascinated in the psychology of this game, I was so impressed with the manner in which these guys can shut out the huge volume of crowds lining the fairways and play to such a high standard under that much pressure. Tom and I were on the 1st tee on the last day, the banter and atmosphere will always be remembered. Then we managed to paddle our way through the mud and get to the 16th late on in the day to see Darren finish off his match, there must have been 15,000/20,000 people on that hole and not a dry eye in the house!

During his speech, Ian Woosenam said it was the greatest week in history (I think he forgot to mention in terms of golf), it was certainly a memorable experience, the Irish know how to host that’s for sure! Bring on Valhalla in 2008, mindyou I bet the Guinness won’t taste as good!

Beginner Groups

Our next great value six week courses start on the following dates:

Sunday 22nd October 12noon – 1pm

Thursday 26th October 8pm – 9pm

For more information or to book your place on one of these courses, please call Tom on 020 8391 9038. Remember just five to a group!!

Chessington Golf Centre Refurbishment

Just to keep you updated on the work being carried out, the slight reduction in length and width to the range is only temporary and our aim is to keep the disruption to a minimum during this period. We will stay fully operational over the winter period; lessons will be available as per our usual schedule. Once completed we are sure you will be very impressed with the improvements made to the driving range area.

Because of this we are offering a DAY TICKET for the same price as a normal green fee.
Once again, sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your custom.

Junior Golf

We have so much going on with the junior side of things at the moment, on top of the normal YMG Classes we are going out to the schools and offering coaching in house. Between Tom and the guys we are up to working with 11 schools in the local area, the interest is quite unbelievable. This is a combination of regular instruction for the older children and Tri Golf for the little ones. Tri Golf is using the plastic clubs and sponge balls, great for getting the little ones involved at such a young age, good fun for us too!! So if your children don’t have golf on offer at their school, please let us know and we can arrange to do an assembly for all the children and get them involved with this great game.

Junior Half-Term Lessons –

Why not let us entertain the children this October Half-Term, with three hours of instruction for just £20!!

Dates and times as follows –

Tuesday 24th Oct - 1pm – 4pm – full

Thursday 26th Oct – 2pm – 5pm

Friday 27th Oct – 12noon – 3pm

Please give Tom a call to book your place, 020 83919038

See our YMG page for more information.

Happy Golfing, see you soon.

All the team at MJGA

20th Sept 2006

Ryder Cup – Ireland
22nd Sept – 24th Sept

Can’t wait now, only a few days before we fly out to watch what I think will be an epic battle at the K Club in Ireland. We fly out Thursday night and I’ll be back on Monday, so if anyone is going please give us a call, it would be great to hook up. On paper we seem to have the edge, but as previous cups have shown that means little when the pressure mounts. I still feel we have enough class there to win and surely the home crowd in Ireland will be too much for the Americans. It’s certainly going to be an emotional home coming for Darren Clarke, it will take quite some effort to lift himself after loosing Heather so recently. That will be some moment when he walks onto the 1st tee for the first time, he seems a terrific guy and an extremely strong character so we wish him all the best for the future. One slight concern is that Tiger seems to be really up for this one, almost a father figure to the rookies. In the past events he never seemed quite himself, so a fully motivated Tiger could be a serious worry for the European Team, watch this space!! I predict a two point win for the Europeans.

Beginner Groups

Our next great value six week courses start on the following dates:

Monday 9th October 7pm – 8pm

Sunday 22nd October 12noon – 1pm

Thursday 26th October 8pm – 9pm

For more information or to book your place on one of these courses, please call Tom or Martin on 020 8391 9038. Remember just five to a group!!

Chessington Golf Centre Refurbishment

Phase one of our refurbishment is progressing slowly but smoothly and work will continue throughout the Autumn and Winter. All areas of the business will continue as normal during this time and I will do my best to keep you updated with the progress. We are currently building new Green Keepers buildings, and getting a few things prepared for the work on the course. Watch this space for more info, exciting times ahead!!

Next start dates for YMG Cadet (entry) level are Saturday 7th October 12noon – 1pm and Tuesday 24th October 4.30pm – 5.30pm, so please give us a call to book your place, 020 83919038

September Tips of the month

Dont forget to check out our tips section within the resources area of the site for regular updates to our tips and avice to improve your game.

Check out the tips section

Happy Golfing, see you soon.

All the team at MJGA

20th July 2006

Summer Camps at MJGA

Let us entertain your children this summer!!

Starting every Tuesday during the summer holidays Tom and Martin are running four day Summer Camps for the children. With four hours of instruction per day for the four days, this is a great way of keeping your children entertained this summer. We have some space on the start dates of Tuesday 8th August, Tuesday 15th August and Tuesday 22nd August. Please call Martin or Tom on 020 8391 9038 for more information or to book your children on a course.

City Golf Academy

I have to say the weather has been very kind to me this summer at Tower 42, the last couple of Fridays have been burning hot and with such a positive response my schedule for every Friday for the remaining part of the summer and into September/October is to be based at Tower 42. I will be offering half and hour individual lessons, complete with V1 Video/Computer technology and the Explanar!!

We are currently looking for a base indoors, so that we can build on the success and give our clients a little more comfort during those tricky winter months and then really drive this business forward all year round. If any of you kind people happen to know of some space going spare, obviously with a descent height clearance then please feel free to call me. We have a couple of options in the pipe line, but the basically the more the merrier!

Beginner Groups

Our great value six week starter course will be running as usual this summer. For six weeks, one hour per week and a FOC Club to get you stated, all we want is a poultry £60, now that’s value!!
Only five in a group, so it’s very much quality not quantity!

Next start dates for Beginner Groups include – Wednesday 16th August and Saturday 27th August

Open Golf Tips

As us golf pro’s are generally the worst tipsters in the world, I thought it would be fun to give you my couple of red hot tips for this years Open Championship!!

Phil Mickleson - Now this hurts to say this as I’m not a big fan, but he seems to have been living at Hoylake this past month, so he’s well and truly up for it. You can get as much as 13-1 for Big Phil, not bad for such an inform player, who has very much been there and done it!!

Jose Maria Olazabal – Great value at roughly 50-1, has all the experience needed and with length playing no part due to the rock hard fairways, his short game will come into its own.

So that’s two guys you can cross off the list and save your money for someone else, only joking!

Mark Janes Holidays
I am booked to go away with Lu and young Samuel on the 25th August until the 4th September, my hours are as usual up until the 25th August and after the 4th September. I always like to give plenty of warning as I know how frustrating it is to call up and find I’m away. Wish us luck, we are taking the little man down to just outside Perpignan in France, should be a fun flight for the whole family!

28th June 2006

Ryder Cup 22nd – 24th September 2006

Sorry to bring this is up but John, Tom and I are all off to Ireland in September to watch the Europeans spank the Yanks!! We managed to get our tickets through the PGA allocation that was available, having originally thought we had missed out. Please let me know if any of you guys are going and we can catch up whilst over in Ireland!! With potentially three Irish lads in the team, Harrington, McGinley and Clarke, I’m confident the atmosphere will be electric; you can always rely on the Irish for generating some lively support.

Summer Camps at MJGA

Starting every Tuesday during the summer holidays Tom and Martin are running four day Summer Camps for the children. With four hours of instruction per day for the four days, this is a great way of keeping your children entertained this summer. Please call Martin or Tom on 020 8391 9038 for more information or to book your children on a course.

City Golf Academy

We have been lucky enough to see over 45 clients during the last three days we have had at Tower 42 during May. June has started in a similar way and with such a positive response my schedule for every Friday for the remaining part of the summer and into September is to be based at Tower 42. I will be offering half and hour individual lessons, complete with V1 Video/Computer technology and the Explanar!!

Tai Chi at MJGA

I was recently invited by Jayne Story to attend a seminar based on using the Eastern Beliefs to help improve your golf. Jayne is a Master Tai Chi instructor and one of Europe’s leading speakers on the subject. She is currently working with some of the leading players in a range of sports. I had the pleasure of meeting Jayne at a NLP Seminar at the end of 2005 and found her brief presentation to be most informative. This particular seminar was due to take place at the end of May, but unfortunately had to be postponed and has now been put back to August, more details closer to the time.

Beginner Groups

Although there does seem to be some kind of small football tournament on at present, don’t let that put you off from learning this great game! We at MJGA are punching on whilst the boys do us proud in Germany (well Quarter finals anyway). So if you are new to this game and want to develop your skills, put down the Kettle Chips and beer, turn off Toga V Saudi Arabia and come and join one of our classes!

Next start dates for Beginner Groups include –
Tuesday 27th June 8pm – 9pm & Saturday 15th July 12 – 1pm

15th May 2006

Tower 42 – City Golf Academy

Although little Samuel had only arrived a couple of days previous I had to sneak out and honour a commitment and see some clients on the 10th April. We were pleased to see more than 20 new faces at the academy that day and together with Dan and Kenny we ran them through the start of our game improvement programme. Word of mouth is always the best form of adverting in this business and due to the response we are having at the academy, client numbers are booming and word is spreading quickly around the city.

May 5th 2006 – We ran a promotional day at the City Golf Academy on the 5th May and in addition to our normal features we were thrilled to have the world renowned Explanar on show at Tower 42!! For those of you who have not seen Explanar in action, pleased feel free to take a look at their website www.explanar.com It is a great way of turning swing thoughts into feelings and we are looking at getting Explanar available for use for our clients at both Tower 42 and indeed Chessington. Watch this space!

Our next day at Tower 42 is on the Friday 19th May, when Explanar will be again available for use, please call me on 020 83919038 to book an appointment.

Mark Qualifies as NLP Practitioner

Having attended the NLP Practitioner course run by Dr Karl Morris and Jamie Edwards back in November I am pleased to announce my qualification as a practitioner. Having always been fascinated in the sports psychology side of sport, this has been a very exciting skill to develop. My long term goals have always been towards being a coach of both the mechanical side of the game as well as the mental side, giving my clients the very best chance of playing to their true potential.

Junior Golf –

Tom and Martin have just finished the Easter Junior Camps, which proved to be a major success again, with nine classes completed throughout the Easter Holiday and over 90% full attendance.

May/June Half-Term Junior Camps –

Tuesday 30th May 12.00 – 3.00pm
Thursday 1st June 2.00pm – 5.00pm
Friday 2nd June 2.00pm – 5.00pm

Each class will run for three hours, at a cost of £20 per child. All equipment is included. A maximum of eight children will be in each group. Please call 020 83910948/3919038 to book your place.

YMG Cadet Courses –

YMG classes are thriving with both Tom and Martin really driving this side of the business forwards. Next YMG Cadet course starts on the Thursday 25th May at 4.30pm – 5.30pm and runs for the normal eight weeks. For a full listing of new YMG start dates please refer to the YMG section of the website.

Summer Camps –
These camps will run over four days, with four hours of instruction per day, running every Tuesday to Thursday during the Summer Holidays. Camps can be booked in advance either through email or by calling the academy on 020 83919038 or 020 83910948. More details of the Summer Camps can be found on the Website.

Baby Watch!!
I am delighted to say that Lu gave birth to a beautiful baby boy on the 7th April. We have named him Samuel and he weighed in at a healthy 7.9lbs. I was there the whole way through the birth, like most blokes thinking I’m really helping when probably getting in the way, would not have missed it for the world, simply the most amazing experience of my life. Lu and Samuel are doing just great, having returned home after just two days in the hospital. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who sent cards etc, you are all so very kind and it really was very much appreciated. He is booked in to his first group lesson this Saturday and his clubs are being custom fitted as we speak!!

New for 2006
Firstly, sorry for the delay in getting this section up and running. What with everything going on over the past few months, this has simply been put on the back burner. But from now on watch this space, as every month we will be posting some helpful tips for improving your game. In addition to this I am also including some news from around the academy/golf centre. All the team are contributing to this section, so I look forward to posting lots of helpful tips and fun/informative news articles over the coming months. As it’s the first month, I thought I would include a couple of tips to get things going!

Check out the tips section

10th March 2006

YMG Junior Classes Spring 2006 -

Monday 20th March 4.30pm - 5.30pm Thursday 23rd March 4.30pm - 5.30pm

Saturday 8th April 2.30pm - 3.30pm Saturday 29th April 3.30pm - 4.30pm

Sunday 30th April 1.30pm - 2.30pm Monday 8th May 5.30pm - 6.30pm

For any information regarding YMG Junior Groups or to book a place on one of the above courses, please call Tom or Martin on 020 8391 9038 or email us direct at info@markjanes.com.

Cost of the eight week course is £70 per child, including equipment.

Don’t miss out!!

We look forward to seeing you soon and getting you involved with this great game.

Easter Holiday Junior Classes -

The Mark Janes Golf Academy prides itself on the quality of its Junior Golf Programme. Whilst improving and developing your game we make sure the fun and enjoyment of golf remains the key element.

· 8:1 Ratio – Students to Instructor
(Numbers not to be exceeded)
· Three hours of professional instruction
· All aspects of the game covered
· Competitions and prizes
· All equipment and range balls included

Monday 3rd April 1.00pm - 4.00pm Tuesday 4th April 12.00 - 3.00pm

Thursday 6th April 2.00pm - 5.00pm Friday 7th April 10.00am - 1.00pm

Monday 10th April 1.00pm - 4.00pm Tuesday 11th April 12.00 - 3.00pm

Thursday 13th April 2.00pm - 5.00pm Friday 14th April 10.00am - 1.00pm

To book your place on any of the above three hour classes, please call Tom or Martin now on 020 8391 9038 or 020 8391 0948. Call now of you might miss out!!

We look forward to seeing you at Easter, if not before, to have some fun and games with your golf!

Beginner Group Classes Spring 2006 -

Saturday 4th March 1.30pm - 2.30pm Wednesday 15th March 8.00pm - 9.00pm

Monday 20th March 7.00pm - 8.00pm Wednesday 29th March 7.00pm - 8.00pm

Saturday 1st April 12.00 - 1.00pm Monday 3rd April 8.00pm - 9.00pm

Sunday 23rd April 10.00am - 11.00am Sunday 30th April 12.00 - 1.00pm

These classes are aimed at anyone who would like a fun and informative introduction to golf. Lessons will be taken in the relaxed and friendly environment of the Mark Janes Golf Academy. You will be taken through a step-by-step guide to golf, giving you all the knowledge you need to get started and enjoy this wonderful game. £60 for the six week course.

6 x One Hour Lessons
5:1 Ratio – Students to Instructor
FREE golf club to get you started

If you would like some more information regarding these groups or to book your place, please call Tom or Martin on 020 8391 9038 or 020 8391 0948. Don’t miss out!!

Golf Centre Development -

Mick and Matt have just done a fantastic job on re-designing the short game area. They have completely re-built the green to treble the size, including two new bunkers. Once the seeding is complete this short game will be of the highest quality and in use within the next couple of months. So for anyone wanting to hone those short game skills we will have the perfect facility for you to practice on.

Many more phrases to the development of the golf centre will take place over the coming months; we will keep you in touch of these plans as we get them confirmed.

Mark & Lucy Baby Watch –

Lucy is fit and well and now with only four weeks to go things are getting fairly scary in the Janes household!! I even attended my first anti-natal class and survived to tell the story. Even cancelled out the night from teaching and missed the Arsenal V Real Madrid game as well, talk about dedication!! Nursery is painted and ready to go, which is a relief as my full range of DIY skills could be written on the back of a postage stamp!

In closing we look forward to seeing all you fair weather golfers down at the Academy this month onwards. No excuses now as the weather is getting better all the time and the days are getting longer, dust those clubs off and get your game back on track now!! My teaching schedule for the Spring/Summer will remain fairly close to last years. Teaching Tuesday through Saturday, late nights on Tuesday, Wednesday and some Thursdays until 9pm, otherwise from 9am to 6pm. With a family to look after I am considering going 24 hours, but don’t tell Lu!!

Happy Golfing!!

Mark Janes and the Team at MJGA

5th February 2006

New Instructors at MJGA

I am pleased to announce the arrival of two new faces at MJGA. Martin Rathbone and Soo Sohn have now joined the team and will be available for lessons from the 1st March.

Martin has many years of experience in the golfing industry and his primary role at the Academy will be teaming up with Tom to continue the development of our Junior YMG Programme and the Beginner Groups. Martin’s innovative style of coaching, combined with a relaxed and friendly manner will be a real asset not only to MJGA but all the students who take lessons here. Our facility at Chessington has always been the perfect base for anyone wanting to get involved with golf and I strongly believe with these two professionals driving this side of the business forwards we will be Surrey’s No.1 centre for Beginners and Juniors.

Soo Sohn has joined from nearby Leatherhead Golf Club and will be looking after the Korean community in the Surrey area. Soo is very well known within the Korean community for his high level of professionalism and quality as a coach and we look forward to welcoming many new clients to the Academy over the coming months. A complete schedule for Soo is available at the Academy, including dates for Beginner and Junior YMG classes. I’ve known Soo for many years now and I’m thrilled to have him on board as I know he will bring many qualities to the Academy.

So with five PGA Instructors now available at MJGA we are better placed than ever to look after all your golfing requirements. With John and I looking after the individual lessons, Tom and Martin focusing on Beginner and Junior YMG classes and now Soo looking after the Korean Community we really do have all the bases covered.

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