The Team

Our team has a long history of serving as advocates to provide guidance and confidence to assure that your child finds the most nurturing environment in which he or she can fulfill dreams and find success.

We provide families:

The perspective, expertise and counsel from extensive experience with golf academies as well as boarding schools: and,
Access to established relationships and extensive networks throughout the golf and boarding school world; and,
Deep knowledge in youth education, character and golf training development.

With a reputation of integrity and accomplishment, we have a unique history of founding and building academies with leading cultures that deliver golf training and education that have made a difference in our student’s lives.

IJSA, its management and personnel will always:

Put the student first
Provide REAL needed and wanted golf training and educational products
Help students achieve their ambitions
Recognize their responsibility to their students
Do the right thing

Andrew Summers

Andrew Summers was born in Nigeria and grew up in South Africa, countries that his father served in as an educational missionary. He returned to his homeland of Scotland to complete his high school education then went on to earn his undergraduate degree and chartered accountant qualification at St Andrew’s University, Edinburgh University and Heriot Watt University.

He then spent twenty years in the investment management industry with Morgan Grenfell, Morgan Stanley and Silchester International Investors, a company that he co-founded in 1994. Andrew retired from a successful finance career in 2006 to focus his time on his true passion - sport and education.

Since his early days as a teacher of math and physics at Strathallan School and as a tennis coach, Andrew has been interested in coaching and developing young people. Having been involved as a partner in golf academies since his retirement, Andrew has a vision to raise the standards in the industry and improve product quality.

His philanthropic endeavors are extensive and include supporting schools in South Africa, the USA and Mexico, participating in leadership development in the Middle East and supporting junior sports organizations.

Lee-Anne Misseldine

Lee-Anne Misseldine was born in Wellington, NZ, but considers Durban, South Africa, her hometown. Raised on the Indian Ocean she spent her teenage years nurturing her love of the water as a lifeguard and water sport enthusiast.

Lee-Anne earned her degree in South Africa and in the United States, pursuing her interest in theology and biblical studies. Early in her life she had a desire to be full time in ministry to follow her passion for giving back and helping others. Although her path changed, she firmly believes that we all have a mission, regardless of our profession or career choice, and by following your purpose you find fulfillment in your life.

Returning to South Africa, Lee-Anne started her professional life in the non-profit sector working for World Vision, the international development and advocacy organization. Her tenure working with the impoverished children and families of South Africa formed her empathy for people. Lee-Anne accepted a position in marketing and promotions for the South African Department of Children and Families. In that capacity she worked on numerous national campaigns and marketing events to drive awareness and support for the cause.

After relocation to the United States, Lee-Anne found a passion for business in the publishing world. Quickly rising through the ranks at Knight Ridder Inc. from Sales and Marketing Manger to an executive director position, Lee-Anne took on the challenge of newspaper growth in a highly competitive environment and a declining industry. She rose to the task, contributing to unprecedented growth during her tenure.

In 2009 a long time dream became a reality when Lee-Anne and her partners started the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy. Starting with just a dream to create a unique environment for athletic development, this winning team created an academy that quickly grew faster than any junior golf program in the industry to date.

Her success is driven by a love and care for people and her desire to create teams that are powerful of purpose and like-minded of vision. Lee-Anne has served on numerous boards including Junior Achievement, United Way and the American Cancer Society.

Andres Vera

Andres Vera was born In Caracas, Venezuela March 3, 1981. In 1994 he immigrated to the United States with his family to Miami, Florida. There, he was introduced to golf and fell in love with the game.

Background:
Andres worked as the assistant golf professional at Gainesville Country Club under the tutelage of Cary Splane. He also worked as the Assistant Golf Coach for Bucholz High School and trained junior golfers like Bobby Gates (PGA Tour Player) and Tyson Alexander (UF team member and Hooters Tour player). After that, he went on to become the assistant golf professional at River Hills Country Club in Tampa, Florida, and then became the head golf professional at the same club.

Andres has also played in many mini tour tournaments throughout his career as a golf professional in tours such as the Hooters Tour, Florida Professional Golfer’s Tour and the Moonlight Tour. Andres’s background and customer service experience makes him an integral asset to our sales team at Bishops Gate Golf Academy.

Education:
Andres graduated from the San Diego Golf Academy in 2000 with a degree in business with an emphasis in golf management. He then went on to graduate from the University of Florida with a degree in business administration.

Laura Lawrence

Director of Marketing

Laura Lawrence’s 25 plus year career parallels the evolution of the sports academy business.

As Director of Marketing, she championed IMG Academy from its inception all the way to a global multi-sport training & education brand icon. Laura managed all facets of the IMG Academy marketing and brand experience. She developed global PR/communications programs for multiple sports, and was selected to serve on IMG’s Global PR Council. A key member of the IMG Academy Consulting Team, Laura created intellectual property manuals to export IMG Academy’s training philosophy to locations around the world.

Laura’s folio of work focuses on brand and business vision, digital first communications, authorship and publishing advisory, creative collaboration, team leadership and successful execution of cross-channel content.

Chris Bennett

Chris Bennett was born and raised in Canada, and has spent the last 25 years working in the golf industry.

As Director of Admissions and Recruiting at Core Golf Academy, he worked with junior golfers and their families from across the globe. He lead business development at Core, while at the same time creating a college scholarship education program to help Core’s golfers achieve their dream of athletic scholarships. As a result, he founded Junior Sports Group, which seeks to educate junior golfers and their parents about the athletic scholarship process as it relates to golf.

Chris was previously a director and co-owner of Capture Action, a sports analysis software company, and worked in corporate sales with Virtually Perfect Golf. As a student at Wilfrid Laurier University’s School of Business and Economics, Chris spent summers working at the world famous Glen Abbey Golf Club.

His passion for wanting to help junior golfers achieve their athletic and academic dreams drives his work every day.

Agents

If you an individual or organization working with families to find boarding schools and camps, who can benefit from working with the team at IJSA, we would like to hear from you.

Andrew Summers

Lee-Anne Misseldine

Andres Vera

Laura Lawrence

Chris Bennett

Agents

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