Mel Sole, Contributor

Mel Sole started playing golf at the age of 16 in his native home of South Africa. He turned Pro in 1966 and was assistant to renowned golf coach Phil Ritson in 1969 when he discovered a real joy in teaching golf. After playing the Pro Tour in South Africa from 1970 to '80, he turned to teaching in a more serious vein. His coaching of Junior Golf Teams produced two national champions (one male and one female), and several junior champions.

In 1984 Mel moved to Toronto, Canada, where he opened the Canadian Golf Academy, an indoor/outdoor teaching facility.

In 1988 his long time friend and mentor Phil Ritson (now based in Florida), invited Mel to open and head the Phil Ritson Golf School in Myrtle Beach, SC. In January '97 the name of the school was changed to the "Phil Ritson-Mel Sole Golf School".

Mel's school has gained national recognition by several golf and travel magazines. Golf Magazine (May '99) ranked it "one of the top 25 golf schools in America".

Mel also runs a second Myrtle Beach area school, Total Golf Academy, and started operations at the International Club in Murrells Inlet, SC in June of 2000.

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