Pennsylvania Stores

PGA Profile

Birthplace: Allentown, PA

Career Highlights:

• Head Golf Professional/Teaching Professional for 9 years
• PGA Member for 10 years

Teaching Principles:

My teaching philosophy is centered on the following factors: proper set-up followed by proper rotation, extension, balance, tempo and timing. The improvement of the golf swing comes from identifying which of these factors are being preformed improperly and then correcting them. The usage of teaching aids for identification and correction is beneficial; none more so than video swing analysis.

The goal of the golf instructor is not just to teach the golf swing to a student, but to make golfers out of them. To have them enjoy the game for life. To be able to take what they have learned on to the course with confidence. That is my goal with every student.

PGA Profile

Birthplace: Norfolk, VA

Turned Professional: 1976

Career Highlights:

• PGA Master Pro is the highest and most respected status the PGA of America offers. Currently there are 225 Master Professionals in the country, out of 28,000 professionals
• PGA Life Member
• PGA Quarter Century Member
• PGA President’s Council "Growing the Game"
• Awarded PGA "President's Honor Society"
• Awarded Middle Atlantic PGA "Junior Golf Leader"
• Awarded National Golf Foundation "Public Golf Achievement" for school golf
• Nominated Philadelphia PGA "Teacher of the Year"
• Honorable Mention "Top Kids Teacher" by US Kids Golf
• Nominated "Best in Philly" Golf Instructor for Philadelphia Magazine
• Golf Instructor on The Golf Channel television show "How Low Can You Go"
• Nominated Middle Atlantic PGA "Merchandiser of the Year"
• Nine (9) of my Assistant Professionals have become PGA Head Professionals at golf facilities
• PGA Leadership:
  • Executive Committees of Middle Atlantic PGA Southern and Central Chapters
  • Past Chairman Tournament Committee
  • Education Committee
  • Junior Golf Committe
• Golf Digest Magazine Course Ranking Panelist for "Top 100 Courses in America," "Best in the State," and "Best New Golf Courses"

Teaching Principles:

My favorite PGA Golf Professional motto is: "He who dares to teach, should never cease to learn." I am always researching additional means of instructional ideas and communication to enable my clients to achieve their golf potential. If one of my "medications" doesn’t work after I "diagnose" their golf flaw(s), than I will try additional ones until my client achieves the desired result. My simple philosophy is: "I want my client to enjoy learning about their own golf swing and how it compares to a "model" swing such as a PGA Tour Player. During our journey together, I will provide education, entertainment, and enjoyment combined with positive results."

PGA Profile

Birthplace: Levittown, PA

Career Highlights:

• Class A Member of the PGA of America
• 2007-09 Teaching Professional at the Lou Guzzi Golf Academy, Ambler PA
• 2003-07 Assistant Professional at Talamore Country Club, Ambler PA
• 2003-04 (Winter) Golf Professional at Isleworth Country Club, Windermere FL
• Golf Academy of America Graduate 2002
• NJCCA National Championship Team Member
• Attendee Philadelphia Section "Teachers of the Year Teaching Summit"

Teaching Principles:

My goal is to provide high quality golf instruction without overcomplicating the swing. Throughout my teaching experience I've observed how excessive swing thoughts make it almost impossible to swing the club. My philosophy keeps it simple. During a lesson we'll review the students swing using video analysis, identify flaws, and develop a practice routine with drills.

PGA Profile

Birthplace: n/a

Turned Professional: 2001

Career Highlights:

• Class A Member PGA of America- July 2008
• Assistant Professional at Renoun Facilities such as The Hershey Golf Club, Overbrook Golf Club, and Sunnybrook Golf Club
• Member of PGA's Presidents Council
• Seven-time participant in Philadelphia Section PGA Dick Smith Cup matches and five-time Philadelphia Assistants organization team member in the PAO-APA Independence Cup matches

Teaching Principles:

To make the game more fun for the student by listening and taking care of their needs and wants in the game of golf and to be selfless in my teaching approach, but not to compromise the basics of the game in the process.

PGA Profile

Birthplace: Pittsburgh, PA

Turned Professional: 1999

Career Highlights:

• PGA Golf Professional status: PGA Professional
• 1992 - 1994 Created, opened and managed "The Ultimate Golf School" as Director of Instruction for Seven Springs Mountain Resort, PA
• 1996 - 1999 Managed competitive Junior and Adult schools and camps as Director of Golf for Hidden Valley Resort, PA
• 2000 - Established Eastern regional franchise of golf schools as Regional Sales Manager for P.R.O. Golf Schools, CO
• 2001 - 2004 Managed Junior and Adult schools and camps as head Golf Professional for Seven Springs Mountain Resort, PA
• 2004 - TSPGA Section Merchandiser of the Year
• 2004 - Ranked among the top 50 Junior Golf Instructors in the country by U.S Kids Golf
• 2007 - Implemented golf services into 350 DICK'S Sporting Goods stores as Golf Training Specialist
• 2007 - Achieved Master Clubfitter/Club Repair Technician certification from Mitchell Golf
• 2008 - Certified Ping Club Fitter
• 2008 - Certified Titleist Club Fitter

Teaching Principles:

My teaching philosophy is a "common sense" logical approach to bettering a golfer’s game. We will work together to establish the most effective way for the student to learn while developing a plan to help them reach their goals. Utilizing the personal plan, we will first focus on the fundamentals and incorporate them into the pre-shot routine. Then, we will address the dynamics of the swing. Limiting the dynamics to one key swing thought helps the student to maintain focus, streamlining the process of our plan. Keep it simple.

PGA Profile

Birthplace: Pittsburgh, PA

Turned Professional: 1968

Career Highlights:

• 1970 - 1973 Assistant Professional at Fox Chapel Golf Club, Pittsburgh, PA
• 1974 - 1976 Teaching Professional at Beaver Valley Country Club, Beaver Falls, PA
• 1974 Elected Class A Member of PGA of America
• 1977 - 2001 Head Golf Professional at Beaver Valley Country Club, Beaver Falls, PA
• Elected Member of the Quarter Century Club of PGA of America
• 2004 Head Golf Professional at Fox Run Golf Club, Beaver Falls, PA
• 2005 Golf Professional for DICK’S Sporting Goods Northway Store, Pittsburgh, PA
• 2006 - Present Golf Professional for The Golf Shop - DICK'S Sporting Goods, Pittsburgh, PA

Teaching Principles:

The four most important fundamentals in my teaching approach are the following:

• A proper neutral grip
• Stance (posture and alignment)
• Takeaway (backswing)
• Position of the clubhead at the top

Once I get the student’s club into a proper top position, it is easier for the player to let the club swing down and through impact. In short, I try to get my students to let the club swing rather than make it swing.