How can I be sure my son/daughter will be well cared for?
The house parents and instructors at the Core Golf Junior Academy tend to “over-parent” the students, meaning they will have less freedom than they do at home. Permission forms that allow exceptions are available. We employ reputable and quality people who are known to us or referred by trusted colleagues and friends, and we conduct rigorous background and police checks on all potential staff members.
What kind of support is there for the student’s academics?
We recognize that our students are dedicated golfers and we are committed to helping them achieve their golf goals. However, we are just as committed to ensuring success in academics.
All students are responsible for attending classes, completing homework and obtaining satisfactory marks. To assist with academics, we offer the following:
- We arrange for tutors at the request of the parents.
- Should academic marks fall below acceptable levels, students are required to devote more time to school work until their marks are at acceptable levels. This may mean a suspension of the golf program and they may not be allowed to play in tournaments.
- Students are expected to attend school classes and to complete required homework. They have a mandatory study period every evening from Monday through Thursday.
What are the key areas of the golf program?
The goal of the golf program is to make our students the best golfers they can be and to prepare them for college golf. The objective is to lower their scores and to help them reach their potential as players.
Our program focuses on the following:
- Swing fundamentals
- Short game and putting
- Course management skills
- Fitness and nutrition
- Golf psychology
After an initial evaluation period, each student receives a personalized program based on his or her strengths and weaknesses in all areas. Progress is reviewed monthly and individual programs are amended based on results. There are mini-competitions among the students each week.
Do students compete in tournaments?
Students are encouraged to play in two events per month. Tournaments provide our coaches with the opportunity to test students` skills and to monitor their improvement.
In tournaments, students learn how to:
- Prepare for tournaments
- Warm up for tournaments
- Develop tournament strategy
- Manage their games and their emotions under pressure.
They also gain insight into how they are incorporating their lessons into their games.
Our students play the majority of their tournaments on the top junior tours in Florida: the Future Collegian’s World Tour and the Florida Junior Tour, both of which draw some of the best junior players in the world.
The FCWT and FJT are both scouted by coaches from many of the top college golf teams in the United States. This provides our students with the advantage of becoming known to college coaches, which vastly improves the opportunities for obtaining scholarships.
Tournament schedules are coordinated by Core Golf staff. Estimated costs for each event—including entry fee, accommodations and food (if away)—are provided for parents to review.
It is up to parents and their sons or daughters to determine which events they would like to compete and to inform Core Golf staff within one week of receiving the tournament information.
The Core Golf Junior Academy registers students with the tours and for the chosen events, makes all necessary travel arrangements. All high-school aged students must travel to tournaments with a Core chaperone unless accompanied by a parent.
Is there a dress code?
Students are supplied with a selection of Core Golf Junior Academy Nike apparel, including shirts and outerwear.
They are required to wear their Core apparel at all times while on the grounds of Orange County National Golf Center and while playing in tournaments during the school year. The Core Golf Junior Academy provides a schedule in advance for apparel to be worn at each event. It is the responsibility of students to ensure their garments are cleaned and pressed.
In addition, the following dress code rules apply when participating in the golf program or attending tournaments:
- Pants must ride at the waist and be secured by a belt
- Shorts must be an appropriate length
- Jeans or cut-offs are not allowed
- Hats must face forward at all times
- Golf shoes must be clean and worn on the golf course and practice range
- Hair must be neatly trimmed
- Students are not to wear body piercing jewelry with the exception that female students may wear earrings.
- Tattoos cannot be visible.
What is your visitor’s policy?
Students may have non-academy guests if approved by their house parent. However, visitors of the opposite sex may only visit the common areas of the residences. Visitations must be kept to a minimum out of respect for your roommates. Privileges may be suspended at the discretion of Core Golf Junior Academy management. No visitors are allowed during study hall.
Are there curfews?
The curfew for all students is 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. For students under 16, curfew is always 9 p.m. unless special approval to stay out later has been granted by parents and communicated to the house parent.
What are the expectations for conduct?
All students are expected to be courteous and to show respect for their fellow students, teachers, coaches—everyone. Using profanity; throwing clubs; disrespecting other students, instructors, house parents, or teachers; purposely interfering with the learning process of a fellow student; and using or possessing drugs or alcohol are unacceptable and may result in a suspension or expulsion from the academy without refund. Incidents are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and parents are notified if an incident involving their son or daughter is under investigation.
How do meals work?
Students are responsible for making their own breakfast and lunch (if they are not purchasing at the golf course or at school). Grocery shopping is done once each week. The student residences are well stocked with breakfast and lunch items, as well as healthy snacks. Dinners are prepared for the students. We order in or eat out as a group once per week at the expense of Core. If students wish to eat out or order in food in excess of once per a week, it must be approved by the house parent and will be at the student’s own expense.
Can my child visit home during the year?
The Academy is closed for U.S. Thanksgiving, Christmas Holidays and Spring Break (around the end of March). Students leave the Academy and will often go home for a visit at these times. Special arrangements to leave the Academy at other times can be made throughout the year at the request of the parents.
When should a student apply for the full-year program?
For students looking to begin the full-time program in the fall, the best time to apply is spring. Applications are also accepted throughout the summer months. To enroll for the winter term, applications should be submitted in the fall.
How can I schedule a visit?
Core Golf Junior Academy welcomes visits by families considering our program. To schedule a visit, contact Jeff Hay, Director of Operations, at 407.592.8236 or e-mail jhay@coregolfacademy.com.
Are international students issued an I-20 document?
International students attending Windermere Prep are issued an I-20, a United States Department of Homeland Security document issued by educational facilities that support the issuing of an educational visa.
Are there payment options?
Tuition can be paid with a check from a U.S. dollar account or with a U.S. money order. Payment plans are available.
What should I bring to the Academy?
You may have other items on your list, but the following is a good start:
- Golf equipment and accessories (balls, shoes, caps, umbrella, etc.)
- School supplies if attending high school
- Clothes (golf, work-out, casual, other)
- Toiletries
- Running shoes
- Shorts and bathing suit
- Sunscreen
- Movies
- Laptop computer with wireless internet card
- Portable music players and music
Linen, towels or pillows are supplied by the Academy.
Where are the housing facilities located?
The student residence is located in Windermere, Florida, just eight minutes from the golf course.
Can I have a car at the Academy?
Only non-resident students may have a car at the Academy.
Is there a laundry service?
A laundry and room-cleaning service is available for students in residence at a rate of $25 per week, billed automatically to the tournament expense account. Students can register for this service upon enrollment. After three violations of the laundry and cleanliness conduct policy, students are enrolled automatically.
Where do students fly to and from?
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is conveniently located just 30 minutes from the student residence.
How can I access the Internet?
Students in residence have free access to wireless Internet.