GOLFZON Leadbetter Opens New Academy in Brazil… First Entry into the Latin American Market

A new licensed GOLFZON Leadbetter academy has opened in the Latin American region, expanding the brand’s global footprint.

Chantilly, Virginia, USA – GOLFZON, a global leader in golf simulator technology, and GOLFZON Leadbetter, a leading brand in golf instruction, announced the official opening of a new GOLFZON Leadbetter Academy at the Porto Belo Golf All Resort in Brazil. This opening is significant as it marks GOLFZON Leadbetter’s first entry into Latin America and its 34th licensed academy worldwide.

The new academy combines the proven teaching methods of the Leadbetter Academy with advanced sports science and the latest technology, including GOLFZON’s TwoVisionNX and PuttView systems, to provide a new training environment for developing elite golf talent in the region.

Ben Riches, CEO of GOLFZON Leadbetter, said, “GOLFZON Leadbetter academies have contributed to the growth of the golf industry by expanding the game’s reach in emerging golf markets and providing training opportunities for local coaches,” adding, “Brazil has established itself as one of the fastest-growing golf markets in Latin America, with interest in golf rising following the 2016 Olympics. Over the past decade, golf participation has steadily increased, yet access to high-quality training facilities has remained limited. Our partnership with Porto Belo Golf All Resort will be a catalyst for changing these limitations.”

The opening of the new academy in Brazil is part of an ongoing wave of global academy expansion, including recent openings at the St. Regis Five Forts in Bermuda, The Golf Club Naples in Florida, USA, and Epsom College Malaysia.

Based on the same operating structure as existing GOLFZON Leadbetter academies, the new academy is equipped with facilities optimized for professional training. Key facilities are as follows.

• Swing video analysis studio
• VIP studio for personalized training
• A 650㎡ putting green and chipping green with a practice bunker
• Driving range with night lighting
• 18 outdoor practice bays with celebration turf

The academy is led by two highly qualified professional coaches. Antonio Luiz Chaves Barcellos (Nico Barcellos) is a Class A professional certified by the Brazilian Golf Confederation, with over 30 years of experience as a player, coach, and golf administrator. He served as Technical Director and Head Coach of the Brazilian Golf Confederation and contributed to Brazil’s victory at the Copa Los Andes. He has also represented Brazil at the Olympic Games and the Pan American Games.

Nathalya Maschio is a certified coach holding various qualifications including the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI), US Kids Golf, and R&A Rules, with extensive experience in high-performance training and junior player development. She made her name as Brazil’s first female head golf professional and has also competed in international tournaments as a member of the Brazilian national team.

The new academy at the Porto Belo Golf All Resort serves as a world-class training hub that will further elevate the standard of golf instruction in Brazil, demonstrating the continued global expansion of GOLFZON and the GOLFZON Leadbetter Academy.

For more information about GOLFZON Leadbetter Academy Brazil, please visit www.golfzonleadbetter.com. For more information about how GOLFZON simulators contribute to golf instruction, please visit https://www.golfzongolf.com.