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PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
National and Regional
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM
About The Program
The Player Development Program is a structured, on-site quarterly training program for players looking to take their game to the highest level. At Cape Fear Country Club, a player-specific plan is developed for long-term skill development, with strategies established to reach each player’s aspirations. Players also have remote, online training sessions between on-site visits to ensure comprehension and progress. Each player’s instruction time is based on his or her statistical weaknesses and key indicators of success evaluation.
Cape Fear Country Club has a rich history of developing high-level golfers, from college to professional players. Our holistic approach allows our experienced coaching staff to assist players in all areas of their game.
Player Development Program (PDP) Overview
The mission of the PDP is to coach and assist in the development of players through an elite training program. We help motivated players develop their skills to reach their competitive aspirations through high school, college, and professional golf. Players are trained using our Key Indicators of Success, which are needed for a competitive player to excel. By keeping statistics on their game, players track their weaknesses and understand their strengths. Individual evaluation results and statistics direct them as they work with appropriate team members during each visit. A combination of technical/technique training, fun challenges which develop required skills, and a vareity of games simulating competitive pressure.
The program includes 64 hours of personalized instruction with a combination of Cape Fear CC specialist coaches, as well as online training from home with the Lead Player Development Coach.
Lead Player
Development Coach
As Lead Player Development Coach, Jonathan Bowden oversees all players in the PDP, working with players on the mechanics of their full swing, short game, putting and playing the role of college placement advisor for juniors looking to compete at the college level. Jonathan assists players with tournament selection and preparation, yardage book design, on-course decision making, and overall practice planning. He has helped develop programs at the Washington and Lee University, University of Memphis, Coastal Carolina University, and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and several private clubs throughout the southeast.
Team Coaching Approach
The PDP’s team coaching method is similar to that of the world’s best tour professionals. This approach has been the foundation of world-class coaching academies and a coaching philosophy used by elite coaches for decades. Our specialists have worked with some of the best juniors in the country, helping them develop into successful collegiate and tour players.
Elite PDP Coaching Staff
Jonathan has been passionate about the game of golf since the age of 3 when his father Bo Bowden, deceased PGA Life Member, first placed his hands on a golf club. He is a native of Valdosta, GA. and has been working in the game of golf since he graduated from Furman University in 2009 as a member of the men's golf program. Jonathan has competed in many state and regional competitions as both a junior and amateur golfer. He is grateful to have been as an assistant golf professional, a college coach, a performance development coach, and college placement advisor to this point his career.
As an assistant golf professional at Green Valley CC (private club) in Greenville, SC, Jonathan helped golfers of all ages and skill levels grow their passion for the game and improve their scores. Through his role as a teaching professional, Jonathan was responsible for player development through private, group, clinic instruction, and junior golf camp experiences. He has developed game improvement programs, on course learning experiences, and mental game workshops. Jonathan has also had the opportunity to partner with several TPI professionals to help his students improve their golf performance through individual programming for improving mobility, flexibility, strength, and speed.
Beginning the 2017-2018 season through the 2021-2022 season, Jonathan was the Men’s and Women’s Assistant Golf Coach at UNCW. Jonathan was previously an assistant coach at Washington and Lee University, The University of Memphis, and Coastal Carolina where he focused on budget administration, scheduling team and individual player practice plans, coaching and mentoring players one-on-one, analyzing tournament statistics to aid in each player's development, post-tournament administration, and recruitment both domestically and internationally.
Jonathan’s younger brother and former mini-tour golfer, Daniel Bowden, recently completed his 6th season as the Head Men's Golf Coach at UNCW.
Jonathan is Titleist Performance Institute Level 1, Swing Catalyst Level 2, Boditrak, Sportsbox 3D and Trackman certified. Jonathan is also knowledgeable with regards to SAM Putt Lab, Capto, Blast Golf putting technologies. Jonathan is also comfortable using several statistical analysis and course management tools including Clippd, Circles, Measured Practice, Anova Golf, GameForge, Upgame, Spider Golf, and Decade Golf.
Director of Golf Fitness, TPI Certified
Master ClubFitter
Mental Performance Specialist
Professional Player Development Program (PPDP)
A player in this program must be a current member of a college golf team with a desire to play professional golf.
Competitive scoring average requirement is 73 or below in college or amateur events.
Elite Player Development Program (EPDP)
Players in this program have a desire to play at the collegiate level and are working weekly on their skills.
Players will be given the opportunity to compete against one another throughout the summer and fall seasons several times a month which will accelerate the development of their games.
Age Requirements
13-18
Competitive Scoring Average Requirements
Boys ages 13-15: Scoring 78 or below
Boys ages 16-18: Scoring 76 or below
Girls ages 13-15: Scoring 80 or below
Girls ages 16-18: Scoring 78 or below
Advanced Player Development Program (APDP)
This program is for players aspiring to play at the high school level and are currently participating in some tournament golf.
Players will be given the opportunity to compete against one another throughout the summer and fall seasons several times a month which will accelerate the development of their games.
Age Requirements
11-14
Competitive Scoring Average Requirements
Boys ages 11-14
Scoring 80-85
Girls ages 11-14
Scoring 82-87
