Gary Gilchrist

From Gary:
Through my extensive experience in the junior golf academy industry and in teaching some of the world’s most talented junior golfers, I quickly realized that to develop a golfer to the next level they need to master more than just technique – they need a comprehensive training program that incorporates every aspect of being a champion.

In the junior golf academies that I developed over the years (Gary developed and managed the IMG Academies/David Leadbetter Junior Golf Academy from it’s inception in 1995), I fulfilled my dream of taking young players from one level to the next and seeing them mature to the top of their field. I have worked and supported the careers of many of today’s top golfers: Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie, Julieta Granada, Peter Hedblom, Sean O’Hair, Nicole Perrot, Suzann Pettersen and Candy Hanneman - just to name a few. These players have all used the training
system behind our golf training program to maintain a high level of performance.


With dedication, perseverance and a winning attitude you will achieve success in all areas of your game. Allow me the opportunity to take your game to the next level and help you “Train like a champion!”.

Career Highlights
Gary Gilchrist has a proven track record of developing champions at every level of golf. Just imagine the development of 75 AJGA All-Americans, 6 AJGA Players of the Year, 2 AJGA Sportsmanship award winners, 2 U.S. Amateur champions, 2 U.S. Junior champions, an NCAA Women’s champion and 1 Public Links champion! In professional golf, his players have won multiple titles including a major championship.

Notable Students
If you’ve heard of Michelle Wie, Sean O’Hair, Paula Creamer and Aree Song, then you already know that expert golf instruction starts in developing golfers at an early age and preparing them for the competition ahead. As the Director of the David Leadbetter Junior Golf Academy (IMG Academies) in Bradenton, Florida, Gary spent 10 years recruiting and training some of the most recognized names in golf and building the biggest junior academy in the world. Gary then spent 3 years as the Director of Golf at the International Junior Golf Academy. Gary started his own junior golf academy at Mission Inn, Florida, in January 2008, with a new California location at Cypress Ridge Golf Club in 2009. Look for more champions in junior golf coming out of GGGA!
 
Peter Bakker
Director of Instruction, California

Peter brings a wealth of experience from his professional career as a Tour player and 20 years as an Instructor/Coach.
He has been rated by the PGA and Complete Golfer as one of the top twenty golf teachers in South Africa. He also lectured Swing Theory and Equipment Technology to the Class A Certification program for the PGA of South Africa and the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland. He is a Class A member of both the South African and American PGA's.

Peter is an experienced coach at all levels of the game. An accomplished player in his own right, he has taught 17 PGA Tour Professionals in his career as a top-level Instructor. Notable students include Nico Van Rensburg (a 5-time winner on the Omega Asia Tour), Charl Schwartzel (a 3-time Order of Merit winner on the Sunshine tour who also ranks in Sony World Rankings top 50), and Richard Sterne (another top 50 Sony World ranked player).  Combined, these players have over 25 international PGA Tour Victories.

Peter has been certified in 2D/3D Motion Analysis. With an advanced degree of technological studies and skills in hardware and applications, he provides the most up-to-date and precise analysis of swing and equipment needs. By using the latest technology, his coaching improves students' mechanics in the least amount of time.

Peter believes that character, respect and enjoyment are key for success in the competitive game and advancement at the Division 1 College or PGA/LPGA level.

His teaching and profile have been featured in Magazines like Complete Golfer, Golf Digest as well as the New York Golfer. He is committed to working with each student to help them overcome challenges - whether great or small.

He has what it takes to train champions. 
Scott Shaffer
Senior Golf Coach

Scott has played golf for as long as he can remember. It is his passion and says he cannot imagine his life without the game. He has a wealth of experience including being Head Professional at the Longboat Key

Club in Sarasota, Florida, working at the Waikoloa Beach Resort, Kings Course in Waikola, Hawaii and serving as Assistant Professional at Lochmoor Club, Cross Pointe Woods, Michigan.

As well as teaching Scott was able to achieve success as a player and received the following awards :

  • 1997 Southwest Florida Chapter Match Play Champion.
  • 1997 Winner of the Southwest Chapter Championship.
  • 1997 Southwest Florida Chapter Player of the Year.
  • 1998 Regional Qualifier for the United States Open.
  • 2002 Michigan Head Pro/Assistant Champion.

However, it is as an instructor that Scott had really found his niche. The relationships that Scott as formed with his students led him to concentrate fully on the Instructional side of golf, with particular emphasis on Juniors.

Having known of Gary Gilchrist and his success with his “Train Like a Champion” program, Scott decided that this was where he wanted to be - training Juniors to reach their highest level of golf and to be able to reach their goals.

Scott has been with Gary Gilchrist at the Academy since it's inception. His ability to form strong bonds wit students has been one of the most rewarding aspects of his career.

     
Spencer Dennis
Golf Coach

Spencer brings a passion for the game and a wealth of experience with junior golf programs. Before joining the GGGA team, Spencer worked to coordinate the expansion of junior golf programs and worked with developing student

athletes and world-ranked junior golfers. He further honed his instructional skills and knowledge at the College of the Desert’s Golf Management Program. Now with the GGGA team, Spencer enjoys helping junior golfers perform at a higher level in a positive and professional atmosphere.

Achievements:
2006 Season on A.G. Spanos Tour
2004 U.S. Amateur at Winged Foot, N.Y.
Top 6 and 25 at N. California Open as amateur
Played varsity golf for Cal State Bakersfield
 
Chris Brown

Chris Brown joins the GGGA coaching staff as a recently successful junior golfer at the national level. A Boston native, Chris played on the New England Pro Golf Tour in 2007 after playing on the golf team at Penn State University. Chris spent a year at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club and Spa in Jupiter

before joining the GGGA team. His enthusiasm for training top players brought him to GGGA, where he now shares his expertise and experiences with rising junior golfers.

Chris is a member of the PGA of America.