Jack Nicklaus Golf Academy Announces Its Grand Opening at Grupo Vidanta Resorts in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico

NUEVO VALLARTA, Mexico, April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo Vidanta, Mexico's leading resort and golf course developer, today announced the grand opening date for the new Jack Nicklaus Golf Academy at the Nicklaus Design Nayar Golf Course in late June of 2012.

The Nicklaus Academy in Nuevo Vallarta will be the Nicklaus group's third such facility in Mexico and fifteenth in the world. The Nicklaus Academy promises to be one of the most complete golf instruction and training facilities in the world, combining the latest technology with the playing philosophy of the greatest player of all-time, Jack Nicklaus.

"The new Nicklaus Golf Academy is another indicator of how Nuevo Vallarta is quickly becoming the premier golf destination in Mexico," says Jesus Torres, managing director of Vidanta Golf. "Even if people staying at the resort are not great golfers, these new facilities give them a great opportunity to learn the sport of golf from some great instructors."

The facility's Director of Instruction is Bruce Summerhays Jr., a PGA professional from Utah whose father Bruce played on the PGA and Senior PGA tours. "I am very proud to be part of the Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf at the Nayar Golf Course, and the opportunity it presents for all golfers and soon-to-be golfers in Mexico," says Summerhays Jr. "The Academy is about learning to play fundamentally sound golf and also to provide a fun atmosphere to enjoy the great game of golf."

The academy experience includes tactical evaluation and on-course instruction, mental and physical evaluation and training programs and climate-controlled teaching bays with an array of technologies, including:

• Nicklaus Academies Proprietary Analysis Software, multiple high-speed video cameras, an integrated pressure/balance mat and integrated ball flight monitors. Also included is the latest in training and fitness technologies including Whole Body Vibration machine and the FreeMotion Dual Cable Cross.
• In a second bay is K-Vest Movement Analysis Technology. Sensors on the student along with the computer capture data from sensors positioned on the student's body. With this "data," the computer creates an accurate animation of the student's body and swing viewable from virtually any angle. The information provided through this very special technology shortens the learning process by 4 to 5 times.
• Inside the teaching facility is also a computerized putting lab with technology used by Tour Professionals called TOMI. This technology allows the Nicklaus Academies instructors to analyze your putting stroke from face alignment to stroke path, impact tempo and speed. Since 30% of your strokes come on the putting green during a normal round of golf, time spent in the Nicklaus Academy putting lab is well worth the time.

In addition to the academy, the golf center will have the finest practice facility in Vallarta, including a lit driving range open until 11 p.m. with natural and artificial grass tees, multiple target greens and putting and short game areas. The Nicklaus Academy is open to members and guests of Vidanta resorts as well as residents and visitors to Puerto Vallarta. Customized lesson packages for individuals, groups and juniors are available for all ability levels. For additional information, please visit http://www.vidantagolf.com.

Later in the year, Vidanta Golf will begin building its second course in Nuevo Vallarta, a Greg Norman Signature design. The Nuevo Vallarta resort region is home to some of Grupo Vidanta's finest luxury resorts. Some 2,000 guest rooms are spread out over beautiful grounds, including: The Grand Luxxe, The Grand Bliss, The Grand Mayan and Mayan Palace.

"With the exploding demand for golf evident through the solid bookings at Nayar's existing Nicklaus Design course, adding two new beautifully designed golf courses within the next couple of years will further solidify Vidanta Golf's Nuevo Vallarta hub as the premiere destination for golf and travel," concludes Torres.

The future for discerning golfers looks bright indeed. Vidanta Golf's Nuevo Vallarta location looks to become the ultimate golf resort destination replete with at least three recognized brands of courses offering world-class golf surrounded by the finest luxury resorts, all along the stunning backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountain range and the beautiful Banderas Bay.

About Vidanta Golf

The largest golf course operator in Mexico, Vidanta's award-winning courses are located in the most beautiful beaches of Mexico including: Acapulco, Los Cabos, Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Maya and Puerto Penasco in Sonora. To learn more about golf with Grupo Vidanta, visit us at http://www.vidantagolf.com.

About Nicklaus Academies

The leading golf instruction brand in the world has locations in Mexico, United States, Spain, Denmark, China, Korea, Japan and Brazil. The Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf instruction system is based on the philosophy of the greatest golfer of all time, Jack Nicklaus. For additional information, visit http://www.nicklausacademies.com.

Media Contact: Dave McKibben -- [email protected] or 1-888-317-4687 ext. 1

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SOURCE Grupo Vidanta