Gay Crain Joins Golf Academy Teaching Staff

Cantigny Golf today announced the addition of Gay Crain to its professional teaching staff. She joins a comprehensive golf performance team at the Cantigny Golf Academy which includes five other full-time instructors, a golf fitness expert and master club fitter.

Crain, 46, will conduct private and group lessons at Cantigny, and lead the Academy's VISION54 coaching clinics, a new offering in 2015. VISION54 focuses on essential practice and playing skills designed to help golfers play better and enjoy the game.

Crain also will captain the PGA Jr. League, another first-year program at Cantigny Golf. The league, for boys and girls ages 8 to 13, features team vs. team competitions at the Cantigny Youth Links beginning this summer.
"Gay is a valuable addition to our professional staff," said Connie DeMattia, Cantigny's PGA director of instruction. "She has a passion for the game that translates well to coaching and instruction. I think Cantigny golfers of all ages will benefit from her innovative methods and positivity."

Crain developed her game as a member of the Chicago Women's District Golf Association from 2007 to 2014. She attended Annika Sorenstam's ANNIKA Academy in 2009 and completed VISION54 training in 2014. Crain is the reigning club champion at Boulder Ridge Country Club in Lake in the Hills, Illinois, and in 2014 served as assistant girls' golf coach at Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake.

"I believe that each individual is unique," Crain said, explaining her teaching philosophy. "My role is to understand what you want to achieve and support you through the process of becoming your own best coach."

A native of Des Plaines, Crain graduated from Michigan State University and earned a master's degree in business from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.

Cantigny Golf Academy is open throughout the year and widely regarded as the region's foremost golf practice, teaching and training center. It is part of the Cantigny Golf complex located at 27w270 Mack Road in Wheaton. Opening Day for the Cantigny's golf course is Friday, April 3, weather permitting.