Combining “cutting-edge academics” with “world-class athletics,” the IGA will provide a customized program led by managing director Gary Liddle, director of instruction Mark Steinbauer, and lead golf instructor Mancil Davis.
“Saipan has the best environment for golf,” IGA president Tanya Kim told Variety in an interview. “We’re hoping for 20 students next year.”
Prospective students will begin the course in January, 2012.
The academy focuses on local golfers as well as student athletes from Russia, Korea, Japan, and China, among others.
“We’re gonna give players the same opportunities that professionals do,” said Steinbauer, a member of the Professional Golfer’s Association of America and included in Golf Magazine’s top 100 instructors in the United States.
“We’re real proud of the work we’ve done in the past eight months.”
A former Guam resident, Kim contacted the PGA regarding her plans for the International Golf Academy. Both the PGA and IGA are now in a partnership, with guidance from Steinbauer.
Kim plans to introduce the IGA to young golfers through the Public School System and private schools. Saipan International School will assist participants in their academic needs.
Whether an expert or a first-timer, the IGA will greet golfers of all abilities according to Mancil, who is a PGA world record holder with 51 holes in one.
“We got a team that’ll teach with emotion, passion, and purpose,” he said.
Among the academy’s instructors are Kayla and Aaron Wood and Brandon Loughridge. Sally Inn will be part of the group as a nurse and nutritionist.
As part of the program, Steinbauer focuses on “balance” when teaching the sport.
“To me, some academies are focused heavily on their sport. It’s all you do and people get burned out. All you do is wake up, you do your sport, then you go to bed. And after a while, it becomes no longer fun.
“To me, they’re young children. 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14 years old – they love golf. We have to make sure that there’s a balance,” he told Variety.
Steinbauer – who resides in Texas – will return to Saipan periodically and help in developing holes at LaoLao Bay.
“What they (participants) can expect from the academy is a lot of passion from the instructors, and I think that’s important. You can have the most perfect facility but if your teaching staff doesn’t have that passion and love for what they do, it’s gonna fall flat,” he added.
Meanwhile, individual lessons and short term programs will be available.
An annual fee of $52,000 will include housing, academics, and food.
Individuals interested may visit www.igasaipan.com.
