Crystal Mountain Resort – Meet Our Golf Instructors
The quality, experience and size of the Crystal Mountain Golf School’s instructional team is second to none in Michigan. Here’s a brief introduction:
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Brad Dean – PGA Director of Golf Crystal’s Brad Dean is recognized nationwide as one of the top instructors in the state. Twice named the Teacher of the Year by the Michigan PGA, Dean has also repeatedly been named to Golf Digest’s Top Instructors in Michigan list as well as the force behind Crystal Mountain Golf Schools being named a Top 25 Golf School in the Nation by GOLF magazine. In 2002, Dean received the honor of Golf Professional of the Year from the Michigan Section PGA. Dean has also captured several local and state tournament titles and top ten finishes, and was also named, for three consecutive years, the Northern Michigan PGA Teacher of the Year. |
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Scott Wilson – PGA Director of Instruction Scott, the Director of Instruction for the Crystal Mountain Golf School, has been with Crystal since 1996. In addition to leading the Crystal Mountain Golf School to a Top 25 rating by GOLF magazine, Scott was also named one of the Best Teachers in State by Golf Digest, has been nominated by the Northern Chapter PGA for Michigan Section PGA Teacher of the Year and has been a featured instructor for PGA.com. |
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Ed Laprade – PGA Lead Instructor Ed has been teaching players of every level for over fourteen years. Prior to joining Crystal in 1999, Ed worked for four instructors on GOLF magazine’s Top 100 Teachers list. In addition to being part of the team that lead the Crystal Mountain Golf School to a Top 25 rating, Ed was also named one of the Best Teachers in State (#5) in the September 2003 issue of Golf Digest. |
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Mike Cote – PGA Head Professional Mike’s long list of credentials includes working for a GOLF magazine Top 100 Teacher and as a Lead Instructor for the Cranwell Golf School, one of America’s Top 25 Golf Schools. Golf Digest also recognized Mike as the third best instructor in Massachusetts in 2001. Mike has been with the Crystal Mountain Golf Schools since 2002. |
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Ina Davis – LPGA Professional Ina joined the award winning teaching staff at Crystal Mountain in 2004. In her 25 years as a Golf Professional, she has taught lessons and camps for both adults and juniors besides working with several area golf teams. Since joining the Crystal team, she developed and teaches the very successful Two- and Three-Day Mini Camps for juniors ages 7-12. She also implemented the PGA’s Play Golf America Program, Link Up 2 Golf. This program teaches new to intermediate golfers the fundamentals of the swing, golf course etiquette and rules, and includes supervised playing experiences. Because of her extraordinary commitment to impact the game of golf by hosting Play Golf America programs, she is a member of the PGA President’s Council on Growing the Game. In 2005, Ina started the Betsie Valley Golf After School Program for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders at the Betsie Valley Elementary School. She was awarded a grant from the PGA of America Growth of the Game Committee for this program. Ina was awarded the Michigan Section PGA President’s Plaque for growing the game of golf in 2006. In 2007, she was the finalist for the Michigan Section PGA Junior Golf Leader of the Year award. She is also a Crystal Mountain Service Excellence Award winner. |
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Rodger Jabara – PGA Professional Rodger has received countless awards and held numerous positions within the golf industry, including board positions on both the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association and the Michigan Section PGA. Roger’s teaching credentials include the Pinehurst Golf Advantage School and the Shanty Creek Golf Academy; he was honored by the Michigan Section PGA as the Golf Professional of the Year in 1990. |
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Ryan Gordon – PGA Professional Ryan is entering into his third season with Crystal Mountain, previously having worked at Marriot’s Shadow Ridge Resort in Palm Desert, CA and Michigan’s King’s Challenge and Mistwood golf courses. Like many of Crystal’s instructors, Ryan is a graduate of the Professional Golf Management Program at Ferris State University. |
| Mike Pearson – PGA Professional Mike has been in the golf industry for over 25 years. His experience includes tutoring many successful juniors that went on to state and national acclaim. From 1997 thru 1999, Mike was Director of Instruction at Garland. 2007 is Mike’s second season with the Crystal Mountain Golf School. |
The Mountain Ridge Course carves through heavily forested highlands with expansive waste bunkers and tree-lined fairways, culminating in a 200′ climb and spectacular views. Despite its challenging layout, four teeboxes on each hole make Mountain Ridge very playable, with distances ranging from 4,956 to 7,007 yards.
On Crystal’s scenic Betsie Valley course, play amidst sparkling creeks, tranquil ponds and lush meadows. Water comes into play on nine of 18 holes and its isolated fairways are accented with wildflowers and flanked by towering pines and hardwoods, creating memorable, picturesque play. You may take a cart or walk the Betsie Valley.
