Latest News and Press Releases

Leadbetter's Students Star in 2008 Open

Leadbetter is extremely proud of the performances turned in over the past several weeks by the five players he has instructed over the years-Greg Norman (in both the Open Championship and Senior Open Championship); Ian Poulter (Open); Trevor Immelman (Open); Fredrik Jacobson (Open); and Mark McNulty (Senior Open).

Norman, of course, received the most ink among Leadbetter's students for his T3 performance in the Open Championship and T5 finish at the Senior Open Championship. The 53-year-old Norman was the surprise 54-hole Open leader and led eventual champion Padraig Harrington by one shot with nine holes to play on Sunday before Harrington blitzed the back nine to win his second straight Open Championship and deny Norman his third Open title.

Norman proved his Open Championship performance was no fluke by continuing his stellar play in last week's Senior Open. Norman shot 67 and 68 over the weekend to finish at 2-under 282 in the tournament, won by Bruce Vaughan in a sudden-death playoff over John Cook. Meanwhile, McNulty tied for 16th place after a solid Senior Open effort.

Poulter's final-round 69 at the Open Championship earned the flashy Englishman a solid second-place finish, his highest ever in a major championship. Immelman-the 2008 Masters champion-and Jacobson both tied for 19th in the Open.

"The tour professionals I teach obviously work extremely hard on their games, so their recent success over in Great Britain doesn't surprise me at all," Leadbetter says. "Other than the fact these players are among the world's most elite golfers, the things we work on during our sessions aren't really much different than what average golfers learn each and every day through our world-renowned teaching philosophy at our David Leadbetter Golf Academies."

La Cala Academy Director also coaches student to success at The Open

EuroPro Tour golfer Peter Appleyard has credited the Head Instructor at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy at La Cala Resort, Quintin van der Berg with helping him qualify for the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. Peter, who turned pro in 2003, beat a field of over 3,500 professional and amateur golfers to gain one of the coveted places and after holding the joint lead at one stage with Australian superstar Adam Scott, he missed the halfway cut by only one shot.

Peter was staying on the Costa del Sol last February when he discovered the resort the only David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Spain, located in the Mijas complex.

Peter, who plays out of the Wildernesse Golf Club in England, was extremely impressed with the professionalism of the La Cala set up. “I found Quintin to be a very, very good coach. He is really up to date with the latest technological innovations and can provide expert analysis of the technical information. He used the 3D TaylorMade Performace Lab to identify something in my swing that was affecting my game. I am delighted with the progress I have made since the instruction and it undoubtedly helped me to raise my game. I am returning to work again with Quintin at the end of August."

Frederik Hildebrandt Hammer who is just 14 years old, plays off scratch and is on the Danish junior team, has also been taking lessons with Quintin since his family bought an apartment at La Cala in January.

Frederik has only been playing golf for four years but is already being tipped as one of the stars of the future. He is coached in Denmark by James Petts, who also coaches European Tour players Soren Hansen, Mads Vibe-Hastrup and Iben Tinning. James recommended Quintin as one of the best teachers in Europe and Frederik said he is delighted to be able to train with such a highly respected instructor who stays in contact with his ‘home’ coach to ensure his instruction in both countries is co-ordinated. He intends to travel to the Leadbetter academy in La Cala every month over the winter season, when weather conditions are not conducive to training or playing in Denmark.

La Cala Resort hosts the Ladbrokescasino.com Masters from September 23rd to 25th and admission is free. The event will also be preceded by a two day pro-am on Sunday, September 21st and Monday, 22nd.

Future U.S. Open Champions?

Ivan Lendl, the three times Tennis U.S. Open Champion, joined 8,043 hopefuls looking to qualify for the 2008 U.S. Open. Lendl, playing off scratch, is also an advocate of Leadbetter’s teaching methods, relocating with his family to Florida, enabling three of his daughters to attend the David Leadbetter Golf Academy.

With 25 full time academy locations across Europe, USA and Asia, DLGA has evolved as a unique brand of exceptional global facility, providing quality instruction in a world class environment of fun, excellence and success.

Within DLGA, Leadbetter personally oversees the education and certification of all his instructors, ensuring they communicate the Leadbetter philosophy to people of all ages and abilities.

A Successful Year for DLGA Korea

Three of DLGA Korea's regular students have had a very successful 2007.

Jennifer Song who has been working with DLGA since Feb made the semi finals of the US Amateur, semi finals for the US Juniors a finished a wonderful year off by qualifying for the US Open and winning the Amateur medal for leading Amateur. Jennifer has been proud to wear the DLGA logo and has been a great representative for DLGA world wide.

Na Yeon Choi, who has been a DLGA student for over a year and a half, finished the year ranked 3rd on the Korean tour. With success at events on the LPGA, she has now risen into the top 50 in the world rankings and will play on the LPGA tour next year. Before this she will take part in DLGA Korea's winter training to Australia and complete in the ANZ Ladies Master and Australian Open. Na Yeon has also worn the logo in national and international events.

Hee Young Park a long time student of DLGA has risen to inside the top 65 in the world rankings and recently finished 3rd in the LPGA Q School, we wish her luck in America for 2008.

DLGA Korea left for its 8 weeks winter training programme to Australia on the 25th Dec 2007! Among the student will be 6 Tour professionals who will practice and play along side the junior members. Juniors will be playing in the international Amateur events while the pros, like Na Yeon, will take part in the ANZ Ladies Master and Australian Open.