Del Mar Golf Center wins several tops honors

The Del Mar Golf Center has recently teed up a number of top honors for coaching, club-fitting and ranking among the highest stand-alone golf ranges in the nation.

Matthew Clay, general manager of the Del Mar Golf Center, has been named one of the “Top 50 Kids Teachers” by U.S. Kids Golf. The award recognizes outstanding youth golf instructors, and Clay is part of a select group that earned Top 50 accolades among nearly 350 applicants. The Top 50 Kids Teachers of 2017 includes golf professionals from 26 states and Austria, England, Honduras, Italy and Northern Ireland. Each year, award recipients include teachers who work at public, private, resort and municipal courses.

“These coaches are honored as more than instructors,” said Dan Van Horn, president and founder of U.S. Kids Golf. “They create outstanding opportunities for young golfers to learn in a rewarding environment that instills a love for the game and engages the entire family.”

Clay has a passion for teaching kids to embrace golf, and it’s a primary reason he founded The Academy at Del Mar Golf Center. This long-term junior golf program develops athletes, creates competent life-long golfers and entices young athletes and their parents to return season after season. The key to his success? Fun.

“I love working with kids and being the first person to put a golf club in their hands,” Clay said. “Golf is truly a lifetime sport and our team is dedicated to introducing the game of golf in a fun and exciting way.”

Other top accolades for the Del Mar Golf Center and its coaches include:

1. Instructor Milo Bryant named “Top 50 Golf Fitness Coach” by Golf Digest.

Bryant works with all levels of golfers, from PGA Tour golf professionals to 4-year-olds. His focus is on child development and how to maximize kids’ physical abilities.

2. Del Mar Golf Center named “Top 50 Stand-Alone Golf Range” by Golf Range Association of America

This is Del Mar Golf Center’s 10th year in a row to claim this designation.

3. Instructor Christopher Lesson named “Club-fitter of the Year” by PGA Southern California Section

Lesson is a pro at using his knowledge about fitting to improve the game of both pros and amateurs.

4. Instructor Robert Bellesi awarded “Lifetime Membership” by PGA San Diego Chapter

Bellesi, a PGA member for more than 30 years, has been monumental in golf in and around Del Mar and Solana Beach. He was the head golf professional at Lomas Santa Fe Country Club for more than 10 years and has been the Director of Instruction at the Del Mar Golf Center for nearly 20. His passion is helping his players continually improve.

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