CAMDEN COUNTY TEES OFF WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART GOLF ACADEMY
For Immediate Release: June 13, 2008
Contacts: KEN SHUTTLEWORTH Cell (609) 472-8837

The new Camden County Golf Academy opens on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 15. Formerly the Cooper River Driving Range, located on the Cooper River and adjacent to Route 130 in Pennsauken, Sunday’s grand opening is welcome news to golfers throughout the region.

A fixture on the Cooper for many decades, the Camden County Freeholders approved renovations to the lighted, 60-station, double-decker Golf Academy earlier this year. The entire complex, including the central building and decking have been restored. In addition to the standard tees, golfers will be able to hit off of real grass and, in the near future, practice from a new sand bunker and putt on a synthetic putting green.

“Golfers will be able to practice with every club in their bag,” said Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr.

Also new at the Golf Academy is its management. The Freeholders reached an agreement with Rutgers University to run the new and improved Golf Academy.

“We expect this arrangement will be as successful as the one in place for the past several at the nearby Camden County Boat House, one of the most successful initiatives undertaken by the Board of Freeholders,” Cappelli said.

For one thing, the agreement brings Bob Cardea, the head golf coach at Rutgers Camden to serve as general manager of the new Golf Academy. Freeholder Jeffrey L. Nash, the seven-member board’s liaison to the Department of Parks and Recreation, called Cardea a “major addition” for the new enterprise.

“He is the former managing partner of Somerton Springs South Jersey Golf Campus, a five-time, nationally recognized golf facility,” Nash said. “In addition to being a fully certified and nationally recognized golf instructor, Bob has been the site director for numerous national organizations, competitions and programs – including the LPGA Girls Golf Program, Re/Max Skill Challenge and Long Drivers of America, as seen on ESPN.”

Golfers of all ages are invited to enjoy the Golf Academy’s grand opening on Father’s Day – especially dads who bring their kids. For these lucky dads, for every bucket of balls that they purchase, they will receive another bucket of equal or lesser value absolutely free.

ATTENTION EDITORS: You’re invited to send a photographer or reporter to cover the opening day operations. To arrange coverage, contact Bob Cardea at the academy at (856) 661-3636 or Ken Shuttleworth at (609) 472-8837.

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