Golf Teaching Professional Alex Cavaliere was awarded the 2024 Youth Player Development title from the Connecticut Section PGA.

Middlefield, CT - Lyman Orchards proudly congratulates Alex Cavaliere, PGA, Golf Teaching Professional at the Golf Center, as a 2024 Special Award recipient of the Connecticut Section of the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA).

Alex earned the Youth Player Development Award this year. According to the PGA, this award, “bestows special recognition on a PGA Golf Professional who has displayed extraordinary and exemplary contribution and achievement in the area of youth player development.”

Alex is known for building a strong rapport with the junior golfers and families at Lyman Orchards, as they look to him to share a modern form of Youth Player Development. Since joining Lyman Orchards full-time in February 2022, he has delivered golf instruction for men, women, and children of all ages and skill levels. Alex has presented individual and group lessons, clinics, and junior camps, and assisted with the Golf Fore Women programming.

Alex introduced the Operation 36 program at Lyman, initially for junior golf programming, and then expanded this offering this year for adults. In January, Operation 36 recognized his success by naming him as a 2023 Top 50 Coach worldwide.

Additionally, Alex serves as PGA Jr. League coach for 13U and 17U level regular season and All-Star teams at Lyman Orchards. As captain of Lyman's 17U All-Star program, his teams won back-to-back Connecticut Section championships in 2022 and 2023 and earned the runner-up title in the 2022 and 2024 Regional
Championships. Lyman's 13U All-Star team earned runner-up status in the 2023 and 2024 Regional Championships.

“I am thankful for the junior golf community that exists at Lyman Orchards and the families who give me the opportunity to coach their children,” shared Alex Cavaliere. “Junior golf is a passion of mine, and I enjoy being able to share the game I love with others. This award reflects the hard work, dedication, and commitment to learning that my students apply to golf.”

Lyman Orchards’ golf courses have been voted Connecticut’s Best Public Golf Courses by Connecticut Magazine several years in a row. In addition to offering golf lessons, practice facilities, and private outings, Lyman Orchards has three golf courses for visitors to choose from to play and improve their game.

For more information, visit lymangolf.com

About Lyman Orchards:
Situated on 1,100 acres in Middlefield, Connecticut, Lyman Orchards is a year-round family destination. Established in 1741, Lyman Orchards offers a variety of recreational activities and venues for adults and children of all ages—including pick- your-own fruit orchards, a farm market, seasonal mazes, 36 holes of championship golf, a par-29 nine-hole course, one of the top golf-training facilities in the state of Connecticut, 1741 Pub & Grill, meeting and event space, and seasonal festivals. For more information, call Lyman Orchards at 860-349-1793 or visit lymanorchards.com.

Lyman Orchards Golf Club’s teaching professional, Alex Cavaliere, PGA, has been quickly making a name for himself in the golf industry. Alex has recently been named top 50 coaches by Operation 36 Golf. 

The Operation 36 Top 50 Golf Coach list is the only one of its kind that uses quantitative measures to determine who is making the biggest impact on golf through their program. The process for selecting the Top 50 Operation 36 coaches includes: number of new golfers created, use of formal 9-hole events throughout the year, application of the Operation 36 curriculum, assessing golfer’s progress throughout the season, and the use of online social tools to encourage more practice and play. 

“I am very excited and honored to be recognized as an Operation 36 Top 50 Coach.” Stated Alex Cavaliere, PGA, “Operation 36 helps golfers of all ages and abilities achieve their goals, and creates lasting memories for all at Lyman Orchards.”

Read the full article and see other top 50 coaches here: https://operation36.golf/2023-top-50-coaches/ 

Alex Cavaliere, PGA, has also been selected as one of the PGA of America’s 15 PGA of America Golf Professionals for the 2024-25 PGA LEAD class, the program’s ninth cohort. This program is the Association’s leadership development program, created to identify, mentor and progress PGA of America Members from diverse backgrounds along a guided path to volunteer leadership roles at the Chapter, Section and National levels of the PGA of America. 

John Lindert, PGA of America President, stated, “This program continues to help bring talented PGA of America Golf Professionals to the forefront of the golf industry, which will help position the PGA of America’s overall mission of growing the game for years to come.” 

Read the full article and see the other selected 15 PGA of America Golf Professionals for the 2024-25 PGA LEAD class here: https://www.pga.com/story/pga-of-america-announces-2024-25-pga-lead-classAlex joined the Lyman Team back in 2022 after graduating from Penn State University with a major from its Professional Golf Management program, where research on the biomechanics of the golf swing serves as a cornerstone of the curriculum. Alex teaches a variety of lessons at Lyman Orchards Golf Club ranging from individual lessons to golf programs. To book a lesson or clinic with Alex, visit https://clients.uschedule.com/lymangolf/booking/event

Bryan joins team Lyman in 2024 with a whirlwind of experience at clubs throughout Connecticut. Bryan grew up in Glastonbury and is a graduate of Coastal Carolina University. He has worked as an Assistant Professional at several private clubs in Hartford County, where he focused his time developing beginner/intermediate golfers and programs before spending the last six seasons serving as the Director of Golf at Windham Golf Course. (Top Tracer Range/Trackman Studio)  

Bryan is also the Assistant Golf Coach/Hope instructor and is currently working on is U.S. Kids Golf Level 1 Certificate. 

He is an experienced club fitter and has a strong passion for coaching golfers of all skill levels.

Suzi joins team Lyman from April through October as our addition to our award-winning team of instructors.  As a LPGA Class A Teaching Professional with over 20 years of experience, Suzi has taught at a number of country clubs and golf facilities in Florida, New York, North Carolina and Arizona.  Suzi will play an integral role in both Golf Fore Women and PGA Jr. League programming here at Lyman Orchards.

Suzi's teaching approach is based upon the student’s goals, physical abilities and their individual learning styles. Incorporating these elements allows her to determine a plan and an approach for each student to actualize their potential. Instruction includes use of technology to include, video analysis, Trackman and Flight Scope. Using clear and effective communication as well as my extensive knowledge of the game has made me a successful instructor, coach and mentor.

Suzi's students range from junior golfers, adults of all skill levels and aspiring professionals. Suzi is Certified US Kids Coach, a First Tee Coach and a Positive Coaching Alliance Double Coach.

Originally from Long Island, New York, Suzi is a Palm Beach County resident and a regular guest on the Women in Golf Podcast on Blog Talk Radio.

MIDDLEFIELD, CT (February 20, 2023) - Registration for the 13U and 17U PGA Jr. League is now open at Lyman Orchards Golf Center for the 2023 Spring Season. The program provides youth ages 7-17 with golf instruction and the experience of competing on golf teams in a two-person scramble format that builds confidence and encourages sportsmanship.

The Lyman Orchards PGA Jr. League program is the largest program in the Eastern Time Zone, and the 4th largest program in the United States. Last year, the local program hosted over 250 boys and girls of all skill levels. The 17U team also won the 2022 Connecticut PGA Sectional Championship, and finished 2nd in the Northeast Regional Championship.

PGA Jr. League players receive expert coaching from PGA and LPGA professionals during weekly practices and play matches at Lyman Orchards golf courses, including the Apple 9 Course and Jones or Player Championship Courses. The Apple 9, a par 29 course, is also recognized as a Top 50 Range by the Golf Range Association of America.

"PGA Jr. League is Lyman Orchards' premier junior golf program.  It not only provides juniors their first opportunity to compete at an introductory level, but gives families the ability to participate as if they were at a PGA Tour event.  Families are encouraged to walk/ride on the perimeter of the course and cheer on their team and children," said John Dipollina, PGA Director of Golf at Lyman Orchards Golf Center. "PGA Jr. League is simply the best “growth of the game” program the PGA of America has instituted in years.  It has changed junior golf forever for the better."

Players may register online for the 13U Spring League (ages 7-13) or 17U Spring League (ages 14-17). "Early Bird Registration" ends March 15th for 13U and May 1st for 17U. Capacity is limited and families are encouraged to sign up today!

About Lyman Orchards

Situated on 1,100 acres in Middlefield, Connecticut, Lyman Orchards is a year-round family destination. Established in 1741, Lyman Orchards offers a variety of recreational activities and venues for adults and children of all ages—including pick-your-own fruit orchards, a farm market, seasonal mazes, 36 holes of championship golf, a par-29 executive nine-hole course which is home to one of the top golf-training facilities in the State of Connecticut, 1741 Pub & Grill, meeting and event space, and seasonal festivals. For more information, call Lyman Orchards at 860-349-1793 or visit lymanorchards.com.

About PGA Jr. League

PGA Jr. League is the flagship youth pillar program of the PGA of America's 501(c)(3) foundation, PGA REACH, with the goal of making the program accessible to all interested kids in the United States and around the world. For more information, visit PGAJrLeague.com.

Lyman Orchards Golf is pleased to announce a recent $8,135 donation to Middlesex Health Comprehensive Breast Center for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.

Last October, Lyman Orchards hosted two fundraising events in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  The first event, on October 4, was the 6^th Annual Putt Fore Pink Golf Classic, a women’s only golf tournament played on the Gary Player and Robert Trent Jones Courses, which raised $7,188.

“Our entire women’s golf community comes together four different times each year to support the Middlesex Health System”, says Jason Beffert, General Manager of Lyman Orchards Golf Club. “It has become a rallying cry for our team and our patrons, and we are so pleased to be able to support such a great cause”.

Later in the month, the Apple Barrel Farm Market hosted Paint the Pumpkin Pink.  Event participants purchased, painted, glittered, and bejeweled pumpkins in support of breast cancer prevention and raised $947 toward the goal. Members of the Middlesex Health Center team staffed the painting area and spoke with guests about breast cancer and the importance of early detection.

“We look forward to Paint the Pumpkin Pink every year,” says John Lyman, Executive Vice President of Lyman Orchards. “Our customers get really creative-it’s a lot of fun and best of all it supports the great work that the Middlesex Health Cancer Center does.”

“Middlesex Health is grateful to Lyman Orchards for its continued support,” says Sarah Moore, the Middlesex Health System Executive Director of Development. “Each dollar raised helps those who have breast cancer, and Lyman Orchards is an amazing partner as we work together to make a difference in our community.”

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Breast Cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide and one in eight women will develop the disease in their lifetime.  Every two minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in America.  If detected early, breast cancer has a 98 percent five-year survival rate.

About Lyman Orchards:

Situated on 1,100 acres in Middlefield, Connecticut, Lyman Orchards is a year-round family destination. Established in 1741, Lyman Orchards offers a variety of recreational activities and venues for adults and children of all ages—including pick-your-own fruit orchards, a farm market, seasonal mazes, 36 holes of championship golf, a par-29 executive nine-hole course which is home to one of the top golf-training facilities in the State of Connecticut, 1741 Pub & Grill, meeting and event space, and seasonal festivals. For more information, call Lyman Orchards at 860-349-1793 or visit lymanorchards.com.

Marissa Kulig-Crow, teaching professional at Lyman Orchards Golf for over ten seasons, has been named the Ladies Professional Golf Association’s Professional of the Year. The annual award recognizes a professional who has helped others succeed in the sport of golf in addition to being engaged in golf operation.

Kulig-Crow is the current Director of Women’s Instruction at Lyman Orchards’ Golf Center, which has been recognized as the number one women’s program among those managed by Troon Golf  across the country. Marissa has a number of other awards under her belt including the 2022 LPGA Northeast Professional of the Year, 2021 LPGA National Teacher of the Year and the 2019 & 2021 LPGA Northeast Teacher of the Year.

"I'm speechless and in awe receiving this tremendous honor. To be chosen among the extremely talented, dedicated professionals within this wonderful organization makes me feel truly humbled,” states Kulig Crow.  “I share this award with my facility Lyman Orchards, the most supportive General Manager, Jason Beffert, and my entire work family.  I will continue to work hard, share our successes, and keep growing this great game we all love."

Lyman Orchards offers a year-round golf club and three golf courses. Registration for classes is available online at https://lymangolf.com/.

About Lyman Orchards:

Situated on 1,100 acres in Middlefield, Connecticut, Lyman Orchards is a year-round family destination. Established in 1741, Lyman Orchards offers a variety of recreational activities and venues for adults and children of all ages—including pick-your-own fruit orchards, a farm market, seasonal mazes, 36 holes of championship golf, a par-29 executive nine-hole course which is home to one of the top golf-training facilities in the State of Connecticut, 1741 Pub & Grill, meeting and event space, and seasonal festivals. For more information, call Lyman Orchards at 860-349-1793 or visit lymanorchards.com.

Lyman Orchards Golf Club & Golf Center has been named the recipient of the 2022 Walter Lowell Distinguished Service Public Golf Course Award. The award was presented at the annual Walter Lowell PGA Tournament on May 31st, at Manchester Country Club.

In the mid 1960’s The Lyman Family decided they wanted to leave the dairy business and transition into a new way of utilizing the land that they had owned since 1741. Their decision resulted in the creation of the Robert Trent Jones Course which opened in 1969. In 1994, the Gary Player Course opened as a dramatically different layout to accompany the Jones Course. Finally, in 2012 The Lyman Family built The Apple 9 Executive Course and practice facility to complement its two championship courses.

“The team at Lyman Orchards and the facility embodies all that this award represents,” said Howie Friday, President of the Connecticut Section PGA. “The facility not only does a tremendous job representing the game of golf, but has also been a prominent supporter of the Connecticut Section PGA and Connecticut Section PGA Golf Foundation.”

In addition to the multitude of tournaments and events it hosts, Lyman Orchards prides itself on junior golf and player development. Its PGA Jr. League program has grown from 23 participants in 2018 to almost 200 in 2021. The program is the largest in New England and ranks seventh nationally.

Lyman Orchards has also been a pioneer in women’s golf and has developed one of the strongest programs in the country with “Golf Fore Women” led by 2021 LPGA Teacher of the Year Marissa Kulig-Crow. In 2021, the program grew to 1300 women across five levels of session offerings and included a 250 person ladies league.

When asked about the award, PGA General Manager Jason Beffert said, “We are grateful to be recognized by the Connecticut PGA for the Walter Lowell award.  There is a long list of deserving golf courses and to be considered the winner is truly special to us. We have a passionate group of staff and instructors who do a great job of engaging with our golfers and helping them get more out of the game that we all love.”

Since 2001, the Walter Lowell Public Golf Course Distinguished Service Award has honored a public golf course in the Section, in recognition of their dedication to the promotion of the game of golf. The award was inaugurated in honor of the Canton Golf Course for the standards it set serving the community and providing playing opportunities for all those who want to play and learn the game.