STEVINSON -After years of conceptual planning and a combined 11 months of actual construction, Stevinson Ranch unveiled its Performance Center and Golf Academy to a group of excited golf enthusiasts in mid-July. The state-of-the-art facilities comprise of a one-acre short game course, which includes an 11,000-square-foot green and a 2,800-square-foot bunker, which is used in conjunction with the three-bay performance center that was erected in October.

“The facility is world class but this is just another feature of our beautiful course,” Stevinson’s Director of Marketing Jim Francesconi said. “It’s another piece of the puzzle; the icing on the cake.”

The new instruction facility is the first of its kind in Northern California and tailored to meet the needs of serious golfers. The short game area includes nearly every short game like one would encounter on the course and the performance center’s three hitting bays are each equipped with seven cameras and several monitors that operate together with Flightscope technology.

After signing up for lessons, golfers will be evaluated on their swing, flexibility, control, and hand-eye coordination while the ball flight, spin and distance is analyzed by the computer system. Based on the recorded information golfers will be provided with a fitness program as well as a recommendation for fitted clubs.

“These facilities are tailored for someone willing to dedicate time and energy to get better,” Stevinson’s founder George Kelley said.

“Golf fitness is absolutely very important,” Francesconi said. “Even Tiger Woods takes lessons.”

With the top 10% of serious golfers spending 50% of their money on lessons and equipment the Performance Center and Golf Academy is projected to bring in big business for Stevinson, but that’s not their only goal. After being ranked as the fifth best public facility in the U.S by Golf World Magazine in 2010 and being recognized by international golf publications, Stevinson is looking to bolster their reputation as a destination course for golfers from around the world.

“We cater to two different segments, the locals and the destination golfers,” Kelley said. “This positions us more as a destination course because there is no other facility in Northern California like this.”

For more information or to sign up for lessons contact Stevinson Ranch at 664-6461 or visit their website www.stevinsonranch.com.

— FRANKIE TOVAR

209 reporter