Pawleys Island Golf School Featured In National Magazine That Reaches Eight Million Readers Worldwide

The Costco Connection Spotlights Pawleys Plantation’s Phil Ritson-Mel Sole Golf School And The People Who Made It One Of America’s Best


June 9, 2009, Pawleys Island, S.C. — The Phil Ritson-Mel Sole Golf School is featured in this month’s edition of The Costco Connection, a lifestyle publication that is mailed to more than eight million Costco members worldwide, as well as distributed via Costco warehouses. The article, which directs readers to the school Web site at www.ritson-sole.com, reports on the golf school and the interesting personal story of its two partners, Mel and Rosemary Sole.

The Phil Ritson-Mel Sole Golf School is one of the top schools in the United States. Both its teaching philosophy and its commitment to affordability have drawn national attention. Providing high quality instruction for significantly less than other top national schools, the Ritson-Sole School has caught the attention of numerous national publications. Travel & Leisure, Men’s Journal and Golf Tips magazines have recognized the Ritson-Sole academy as one of “America’s Best Golf Schools” since 1994. GOLF Magazine recently named them to their “Top 25 USA Golf Schools” list for the 10th consecutive year in November 2008 and said, “this group has done it longer and better than any school.”

The Ritson-Sole Golf School offers instruction at much lower tuition rates than other schools in the Top 25. Director of Instruction Mel Sole believes that top-notch instruction should be within reach of every golfer. The cost for his three-day golf school program is less than half of that of most of the other Top 25 golf academies.

For example, the “Best Ever Golf School Package,” currently offered by the golf school in conjunction with their host golf resort, Pawleys Plantation, is designed to offer outstanding value. It is being snapped up by recession-conscious golfers across North America. For under $1000, taxes included, year-round, golfers can enjoy accommodations, breakfasts, green/cart fees, and a top notch golf school for three days.

The personal angle of the story reveals a chance meeting by Mel and Rosemary in a foreign country that was pure “serendipity.” The passion and persistence they’ve shared for the same goals have enabled them to survive the married-to-your-business-partner scenario, a current topic of interest in the media. The article refers to their success in combining business and marriage as scoring a hole-in-one.

Mel Sole is consistently ranked a “Top Teacher in North America” by GOLF Magazine, has 40 years of international teaching experience, and is a former veteran of the South African PGA Tour. Phil Ritson is a world-renowned golf coach who counts K.J. Choi, Gary Player, Curtis Strange, and many other stars as students at one time or another. Phil is also a former mentor to David Leadbetter.

The Phil Ritson-Mel Sole Golf School is in session year-round at Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club, an award winning resort featuring a Nicklaus signature course, luxury villas, dining, and Meeting & Convention facilities. One-hour private lessons and $35 group clinics are also available.

Other locations for the Ritson-Sole academy include Conyers, Ga; Independence, Mo.; Greenville, S.C.; Ellicottville, N.Y; and Malinalco, Mexico.

More information on golf school instruction is available by contacting The Phil Ritson-Mel Sole Golf School at 800-624-4653 or 843-237-4993, www.ritson-sole.com. Information on accommodations and tee times is available by calling Pawleys Plantation at 800-367-9959, www.pawleysplantation.com.

Contact Information

Jamie Wilburn

PR Associate

LHWH Public Relations

Contact via E-mail