The Long Ball
JIM MCLEAN CELEBRATES ONE YEAR AT THE BILTMORE
Jim McLean
It has been one year since Jim McLean shook up the national golf school scene by leaving his roost at the Trump National Doral and relocated to the Biltmore Hotel. Now a resident of Coral Gables, McLean – ranked the No. 1 golf instructor in Florida and the No. 4 in America by Golf Digest magazine – says he couldn’t be happier about the “chance to move to the nicest part of Miami.”
McLean was at Doral for 26 years, but decided to move after the Trump property lost its PGA Tour. McLean has worked with some of the top golfers in national tournaments, including Tom Kite when he won his U.S. Open and Keegan Bradley when he won the PGA. McLean also trained Miami native Cristie Kerr, was became the No. 1 ranked female pro in the world.
The Biltmore does not host any national championships, but that may change. In July of 2018, The Biltmore began to restore its 18-hole, par-71 course to the grandeur of Donald Ross’ original 1925 layout. The renovation included adding Bermuda grass to existing tees, fairways and greens, as well as building new bunkers and enhancing short-game practice. Most notably, the course length was extended to reach over 7,100 yards, making it worthy of championship-level play. The project was completed and open to the public Dec. 15.
Jim McLean Golf School
“The Biltmore Hotel and Golf Course is an integral part of golf’s history,” says McLean, who would love to enhance that history. If you want to book a lesson with the master, visit JimMcLean.com.
