Golf with gusto

Golfers who want to get their game on have a golden opportunity in Michael Blackmon’s Golf Fitness Program. Blackmon assesses clients’ fitness strengths and areas for improvement and then creates customized 18-session programs to help them bring their golf fitness up to par. Blackmon, who grew up in Colusa, lives in Willows and splits four work days a week between there and Chico. Blackmon will offer a golf fitness workshop on Saturday, Nov. 20, at Alpha Company Fitness from 9 to 11 a.m. For more info, contact Blackmon at <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript">{ document.write(String.fromCharCode(60,97,32,104,114,101,102,61,34,109,97,105,108,116,111,58,109,105,99,104,97,101,108,64,103,111,108,102,45,102,105,116,110,101,115,115,116,114,97,105,110,105,110,103,46,99,111,109,34,62,109,105,99,104,97,101,108,64,103,111,108,102,45,102,105,116,110,101,115,115,116,114,97,105,110,105,110,103,46,99,111,109,60,47,97,62)) } </script> or 570-6765.

What did you do before you became a trainer?

I worked 28 years at a manufacturing company in Willows—20 years in supervision and mid-level management.

How did you become involved in golf fitness?

After beginning in 2007 as a personal trainer with Whole Body Fitness in Chico, I started looking for a golf fitness program for some of my clients who wanted to get in shape for golf. I found the Golf Fitness Program and decided to get certified as a golf fitness instructor. I run my program at Alpha Company Fitness.

What was your certification process?

I took courses in Arizona from the Titleist Performance Institute. After completing the coursework, I took and passed a test and received my certification. I am also an American Council on Exercise certified personal trainer.

What kind of clients do you work with?

I put the word out at some of the golf courses and subsequently worked with a couple of golf pros: Courtney Foster and Mike Mattingly. I also worked with Susan Surminsky about a year and a half ago—she’s the women’s champ at Butte Creek. Right now, I’m working with a 15-year-old who wants to get really good at golf, and he’s currently working with a local pro, also.

How is your fitness regimen special?

A physical movement screen is given to the client to identify limitations in mobility and stability. There are common swing faults in golf swings such as early extension, flat shoulder plane, sway, etc. There is generally a physical limitation that contributes to this problem. The movement screen is designed to assess limitations in joint range of motion, muscular flexibility, balance and strength.