Springbrook Golf Course opening training facility

Naperville Park District's new Brooks Academy Training Center at Springbrook Golf Course is the latest in a series of improvements to the district's golf facilities designed to keep them relevant and competitive, officials said Wednesday.

The training center, near the clubhouse in the former Range Room, is designed to offer golfers a one-stop shop for fitness, instruction and practice, according to certified trainer Todd Russell.

Golfers can get a peek at the facility during an open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at 2220 W. 83rd St.

Golf Superintendent Kevin Carlson said surveys indicate the sport remains important to a goodly percentage of residents, and the district is looking for opportunities to build interest in the game.

The training center, he said, "will help to build on our golf programs and provide new opportunities for people to enjoy golf."

On-site training at the course has certain advantages, said Russell, who has designed performance-based training to enhance golfer's games. Russell is a PGA professional and certified golf fitness specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

Programs at the center will feature private instruction and one-on-one training seven days a week. Group classes also will be offered, with registration available through the park district.

Russell said the 750-square-foot training center is one of only a few like it in the country.

"There are a lot of facilities that might have some type of PGA professional to train their students on the physical side of golf with different medicine balls and things like that, or on the driving range," he said. "But as far as having PGA golf professionals and certified golf fitness specialists at the same facility with the on-site ability to train the students both mechanically in the golf swing and then to be able to train their bodies biomechanically, how the body works and the golf swing, is unique."

An avid golfer, Naperville resident Pam Demaine said she's enthusiastic about the new training center.

"It's a big deal because in the training session alone your core and legs need to be strong," she said. "If you work out, that's what helps your golf game."

For details, call the golf course at (630) 848-5060 or visit golfnaperville.org.