The Shippen Swing School, powered by Preserve Shady Rest, Inc., is a youth golf development program rooted in history and excellence. Inspired by the legacy of John Shippen Jr. and the historic Shady Rest Country Club, our program is dedicated to expanding access to the game of golf while developing the next generation of athletes and leaders.


Our Vision
We deliver a 6-week clinic experience dedicated to developing leadership and the holistic athlete, while teaching all aspects of the game of golf, including putting, chipping, full swing, and course strategy.

Expand Access To Golf:
Create pathways for individuals of all backgrounds to learn and experience golf, removing barriers and opening doors to new opportunities.

Develop Leaders & Athletes:
We believe in developing the wholistic athlete, combining athletic growth with leadership, character, and life skills. With 95% of Fortune 500 CEOs having played competitive sports, we use the game of golf to build confident, disciplined, and respectful leaders prepared to succeed on and off the course.

Preserve & Educate History:
Honor the history of Shady Rest Country Club and John Shippen Jr. by actively sharing their stories and ensuring their impact continues to inspire future generations.

Strengthen Community Impact:
Create meaningful opportunities for connection, mentorship, and growth that positively influence individuals and the broader community.


6-Week Course Curriculum
Dates: Thursdays, June 25-July 30, 2026 from 5 to 7 PM.
*Schedule does include 1 make-up session for weather on August 6, 2026 if needed.

Week 1: Golf Foundations: Introduce the core fundamentals of golf, including grip, stance, posture, and alignment, while establishing confidence and proper habits that set the foundation for long-term development.

Week 2: Mastering The Green: Focus on putting fundamentals such as stroke mechanics, alignment, and distance control, teaching players how to improve consistency and confidence on the green.

Week 3: Short Game Precision: Develop touch and control around the green by learning chipping techniques, shot selection, and how to navigate different lies and situations.

Week 4: Building The Full Swing: Introduce the full swing sequence with irons, emphasizing balance, tempo, and solid contact to create a repeatable and efficient swing.

Week 5: Power & Strategy: Teach driver fundamentals and introduce course strategy, helping players understand shot selection, decision-making, and how to play smarter golf.

Week 6: Competition Day: Apply all learned skills in a competitive and on-course environment, reinforcing fundamentals, building confidence, and emphasizing sportsmanship and growth.


Session Structure:
•Welcome & Warm Up
• Shippen Legacy Lesson
• Technical Instruction
• Skill Stations & Rotations
• Competitive Games & Applied Play
• Reflection & Wrap Up

Our Coaches
Isaiah Marseille
Drexel University
Originally from Linden, NJ, Isaiah is a Division I, red-shirt freshman at Drexel, where he is the CAA Commissioner Award recipient. He graduated from the Blair Academy as a four-time All-American selection and learned golf at Shady Rest Country Club as part of the John Shippen Academy.

Derek Gutierrez
Rutgers University
Native of Cranford, NJ, Derek is a Division I, junior at Rutgers, where he is ranked as the #1 golfer in New Jersey. Derek was the youngest amateur to win the NJ Open Championship and the 2022 NJPGA Junior Master’s Champion. He learned golf at Shady Rest as part of the John Shippen Academy.

Isaiah Williams
Seton Hall University
Originally from Flemington, NJ, Isaiah is a Division I, junior at Seton Hall, where he was named to the Black College Golf Coaches Association All-Freshman team. He had a 76 scoring average in six tournaments in 2024-2025. Isaiah was a John Shippen Foundation Scholar.

Weather Policy
The John Shippen Swing School is committed to providing a safe and high quality experience for all participants. Because golf is an outdoor activity, weather conditions may occasionally impact scheduled sessions.
In the event of unsafe or unfavorable weather conditions, including but not limited to heavy rain, lightning, severe storms, excessive heat, or unsafe course conditions, sessions may be delayed, modified, relocated, or canceled at the discretion of Preserve Shady Rest, Inc. and program staff.
To help ensure all participants receive the full curriculum experience, the program schedule includes one additional backup week built into the season calendar. If a session must be canceled due to weather, the curriculum schedule will shift accordingly and continue into the designated makeup week.
This additional week allows the John Shippen Swing School to complete the full instructional curriculum while prioritizing participant safety and program quality.
All weather related decisions made by Preserve Shady Rest staff are final. Families will be notified as soon as possible regarding any schedule changes or cancellations.

John Shippen, Jr.
John Shippen Jr. was a trailblazer whose impact on the game of golf continues to shape its future. In 1896, he became the first American-born golf professional and one of the first Black golfers to compete in the U.S. Open, breaking barriers in a sport that lacked diversity and access.
After competing in multiple U.S. Open Championships and continuing his professional career, including participation in the pioneering United Golfers Association, Shippen’s influence extended far beyond competition. He later became the head golf professional at Shady Rest Country Club, where he dedicated 33 years to teaching and mentoring the next generation of golfers.
Today, the Shippen Swing School proudly continues that legacy. Our program is built on the same principles that defined Shippen’s approach as a teacher: strong fundamentals, intentional practice, and personal development. By carrying forward his lessons, we are not only teaching the game of golf, we are developing the next generation of players, leaders, and trailblazers.

Preserve Shady Rest
Preserve Shady Rest, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization composed of New Jersey residents who are the vanguard in preserving, restoring, and revitalizing Shady Rest Country Club while educating and empowering future generations through history, culture, and community engagement.

Shady Rest Country Club
Shady Rest Country Club stands as a landmark of American history, recognized as the first Black-owned country club in the United States and a vibrant center of culture, sport, and community. It was home to John Shippen Jr., the first American-born golf professional, who served as the club’s head pro and mentored generations of golfers, and welcomed legends like Althea Gibson, whose presence reflects the club’s deep athletic legacy. During the 1920s and 1930s, Shady Rest also became a cornerstone of the jazz scene, hosting iconic musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Count Basie, transforming its ballroom into a cultural hotspot. Today, Shady Rest remains a powerful symbol of Black excellence, resilience, and community.