Building on this success, Mangum first established a PuttingZone Academy in Yorkshire England at Huddersfield’s Crosland Heath Golf Club with head pro John Eyre. After a single lesson in May 2006, local star Chris Hanson (at left, putting) fired a beautiful round of 64 at former Ryder Cup venue Moortown. Chris then turned professional and joined the EuroPro Tour. In Chris' first outing, he raced up the leaderboard on the last day to claim sole third with a spectacular 67 that included 5 birdies on the back nine. Later in his seventh pro event in July, he went the distance (final two rounds with only 24 putts each) and forced a playoff and lasted eight playoff holes before getting pipped by his opponent. And in August, in his ninth event, Chris won, and reached third in the Order of Merit with over 18,000 pounds in Tour winnings in three months. (See Chris' Player Page. )

 

Mangum later established the PuttingZone Academy at Golf Resort Adendorf outside Hamburg, Germany, with head pro Andy Taylor. Taylor and Mangum then presented a series of clinics to elite golfers and teaching pros from around Germany. Early 2007, the Golf Resort Adendorf opened the German National Headquarters for the PuttingZone in a magnificent indoor facility next to the practice putting green, featuring indoor putting surfaces, three swing simulators, chipping areas, and eating and drinking facilities. Each Spring and Fall, Mangum presents a series of clinics for elite amateurs and pros at Adendorf as well as Certification Training programs for teaching professionals.

Back in the UK in 2006, Mangum presented a series of five day-long clinics under the auspices of the UK’s PGA, teaching nearly 70 professionals at top venues. His instructional program was featured in an article in the PGA magazine there (PGA Professional).

 

The most recent addition is the Swiss PuttingZone Academy of Simon Hilton at his course in Gams-Werdenberg Switzerland. Simon is a highly respected (and liked) teaching professional who also teaches regularly in Mallorca Spain and in Dubai. He is a regular presence at European golfing conventions and conferences and is a proven leader in European golf instruction. Geoff Mangum will be appearing at the Simon Hilton PZ Academy this Spring 2008 to help out with its Grand Opening events.

Future European plans include the expansion of the PuttingZone Academies into Ireland, Spain, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Additional Academies are slated for South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. In 2007, the PuttingZone more than doubled the number of Certified PuttingZone Coaches with the addition of Andrew Pakes in Vejen Denmark, James Marshall in Barcelona Spain, Thomas Ambuehl in Hinterzarten Germany, Simon Hilton in Gams-Wertenburg Switzerland, Tim Boechtrager in Vienna Austria, Jason Harvey in Mannheim Germany, Jason Crerar in Breintenberg Germany, Stephane Lovey and Rob Roest in Amsterdam Holland, and Gary Hillson, Gary Kershaw, Dylan Bawden, and Mel Johnson in Hamburg at the Treudelberg Golf Hotel and Spa. There are currently 28 PZ Coaches worldwide in the US, the UK, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia.

 

The premier US PuttingZone Academy has been started by Damon Lucas, Director of Instruction at both Hayfields CC and Chestnut Ridge CC in Baltimore. Damon is a past Australian champion and a playing professional in the Mid-Atlantic PGA. He and Geoff have been working closely together for over four years now. Damon and Geoff will jointly presented a series of clinics for Baltimore pros and elite amateurs in Summer 2008. 

 

Future PZ Academies are in the planning stages for Florida, Ohio, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and California.