Learn more about the top speakers and instructors presenting best-in-class knowledge at the 2013 PGA Education Programs.
- Eric Alpenfels
- Judith A. Alvarez
- Leigh Bader
- Bob Baldassari
- Jeff Beaudry
- Sheryl Bindelglass
- Warren Bottke
- Dick Bradow
- Richard C. Brasser
- Michael Breed
- Cary Cavitt
- Dr. Bob Christina
- Kevin Compare
- James Cronk
- Gary Dee
- Henry B. DeLozier
- David Donatucci
- Dana Garmany
- Gene Garrote
- Lance Gill
- Hank Haney
- Peter Hill
- Jim Hinckley
- Bill Hughes
- Brent Krause
- Mark Konchan
- Jon Last
- Mike Leemhuis
- Mike Malaska
- Dawes M. Marlatt, Jr.
- Lynn Marriott
- Paul Metzler
- Greg Nathan
- Tracy Moffatt
- Pia Nilsson
- Dave Normand
- Donna Orender
- Dave Phillips
- Jim A. Riscigno
- Larry Ross
- Dr. Paul Schempp
- Rick J. Sessinghaus
- Dale Smigelsky
- Suzy M. Whaley
- Becky Wilkins
- Dr. Gary Wiren
Becky Wilkins
Becky Wilkins is the owner of Retail Management Associates, a buying and consulting company with a focus on small specialty shops including golf. Her shops have garnered the coveted Golf World Business "Top 100" status for over eight years.
She began her career in retail by completing the Executive Buying Program for Macy's in San Francisco and has been buying and consulting for multiple shops on the west coast for over 20 years. The focus of Retail Management Associates is on inventory and buying plans, product mix and profitability analysis by department for independent retail shops.
Becky is the Northwest Region Director for the Association of Golf Merchandisers, a frequent presenter at regional seminars and national conferences, a member of the AGM Education Team and a recipient of the "Excellence in Education" award.
Bill Hughes, PGA
Sessions:
- Environmental Issues: "A Green Initiative"
Mr. Hughes turned professional in 1979 after playing golf at Bowling Green State University. A member of the PGA of America since 1984, Mr. Hughes became a member of the illustrious group of PGA Master Professionals in 1995.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Throughout his career in the Club Industry, Mr. Hughes has held the position of Head Professional at Shawnee Country Club in Lima, Ohio and General Manager/Owner of Country Acres Golf Club in Ottawa, Ohio. In 1996 Mr. Hughes was hired by the PGA TOUR as General Manager/Director of Golf at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1999, Mr. Hughes relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio as General Manager/Director of Golf to open the first and only PGA TOUR owned and operated facility in his home State, the TPC River's Bend designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer. In 2003, Mr. Hughes was promoted to Regional Director of TPC Operations and relocated to Dallas, Texas to open the 25th owned and operated PGA TOUR facility in the United States working with PGA TOUR Player and famed architect Tom Weiskopf.
In 2006, Mr. Hughes was asked to relocate to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida and oversee the final stages of construction and global repositioning of the TPC Sawgrass, the flagship of the TPC Network.
Mr. Hughes has partnered for life with his beautiful wife Molly since 1985 and enjoys the blessings of his two children, both scholarship/athletes playing collegiate golf, Kelsey (21) and Chipper (20).
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Chapter Junior Golf Leader/North Florida Section PGA 2009
- PGA of America President's Council 2006 – 2008
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Dr. Bob Christina, Ph.D.
He is an internationally recognized scholar and authority in the neuropsychology of the learning, control and performance of movement skills. Currently serves as assistant men's golf coach for UNCG; research and educational consultant for the Pinehurst Golf Academy; Precision Golf School; Golf Magazine and Golf Magazine's Top 100 Teachers; Frankly Golf; the Steering Committee of the World Scientific Congress of Golf; the LPGA T & C Division and the PGA of America, and is co-founder of a research company titled Evidence-Based Golf.
He has given several hundred of scholarly and professional presentations throughout the world and has authored or coauthored over 110 scientific and professional publications and 12 books including A Multilevel Approach to the Study of Motor Control and Learning; Coaching Young Athletes; Coaches Guide to Teaching Sport Skills; and the most recent of which is titled Instinct Putting.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- UNCG Emeritus Dean and Professor 2001 - 2013
- UNCG Dean and Professor 1992 - 2001
- University at Buffalo (SUNY) Department Head and Professor 1989 - 1992
- Penn State University Professor 1973 - 1989
- Brockport University (SUNY) Associate Professor 1969 - 1973
- University of Maryland Research Assistant 1967 – 1969
- Nassau Junior College PE Instructor and Coach 1965 – 1967
- West Essex High School PE Teacher and Coach 1963 - 1965
- University of Maryland PE Teacher and Coach 1962 - 1963
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS (most recent)
- Hetherington Award AAKPE 2003
- Distinguished Scholar Award NAKPEHE 2006
- Hall of Fame Award NASPE 2007
- Lifetime Achievement Award Ithaca College 2007
- Athletic Hall of Fame Award Ithaca College 2007
- Outstanding Research Award WSCG 2008
- Distinguished Administrator Award NAKPEHE 2008
- Innovator of the Year for Research Golf Magazine 2008
- Distinguished Scholar Award NASPSPA 2011
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD)
- National Association of Sport and Physical Education (NASPE)
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- American Psychological Society (APS)
- North American Society for the Study of Sport & Physical Activity (NASPSPA)
- National Association for Kinesiology, Physical Education & Health Education (NAKPEHE)
- American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education (AAKPE)
- World Scientific Congress of Golf (WSCG)
Brent Krause, PGA
Sessions:
- How to Become a General Manager as a PGA Professional
Brent Krause has been employed at Wynlakes Golf and Country Club, LLC, since September 1989. Initially, he served as the Director of Golf; later Director of Golf & Membership; and has served as the club's General Manager since June, 1999.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Throughout his career, Brent has been involved in PGA of America governance and continuing education. He is a featured speaker throughout the country on golf management and operations. In 2002 he was recognized as the recipient of the PGA of America's Horton Smith Trophy. The Award is given annually to the individual who exemplifies excellence in professional training, development, and education. Additionally, Brent has served as District III Director for two terms on the PGA of America's Board of Directors. As a District Director, Brent represented Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and the panhandle of Florida on the Board. Brent was District III director during the catastrophic Hurricane Katrina.
- Harvard University Graduate School of Design 1997
- Columbus College (GA) 1974
- Woodbridge Senior High School (VA) 1970
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year 2007
- PGA of America's Horton Smith Award 2002
- 67th PGA Master Professional – General Management & Golf Operations 1990
- PGA Board of Directors 2003-2006
- PGA Board of Directors 1995-1998
- PGA Properties Board 1995-1998
- PGA Education Faculty 1981-present
- PGA/Stanford Research Institute Certification Task Force 1996
- PGA/Stanford Institute Subject Matter Expert 1997
- PGA Specialty Certification- Golf Operations 1997
- PGA Specialty Certification- General Management 1998
- Committees: Apprentice, Special Awards, PGA Championship
- Liaison, Club Professional Championship, Master
- Professional Task Force, Katrina Disaster Relief Task
- Force Chairman, PGA Speakers Bureau, and PGA
- Golf Properties Task Force
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Auburn University Samford Society
- First Tee of Montgomery, Secretary
- River Region "Wright Flyers"- Chamber of Commerce military liaison
- Baptist Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors
- Montgomery Public Schools/Chamber of Commerce Career Academy Task Force
- Hospitality & Tourism Career Academy-Chairman
Cary Cavitt, PGA
Sessions:
- Creating Five-Star Customer Service – How Well are Your Customers Treated?
After receiving a B.A. at the University of Michigan and an M.A. at Eastern Michigan University, Cary then went on to receive his PGA Membership in 1990 and become an award-winning PGA Head Professional at different clubs in the Midwest.
Cary's expertise is in the area of customer service. He is the author of nine books including his book dedicated to PGA Members entitled The Enjoyable Golf Club Experience – Providing Exceptional Guest Services.
As a speaker with a keen insight into how customers think and feel, along with his vast experience in providing personal service to a wide variety of clients, Cary is well qualified to coach other PGA Professionals in what members and guests are really looking for when they make contact with their respected facility.
In 2007 Cary founded the Service Starts with a Smile Seminars™ for companies and golf facilities throughout the United States that are looking to improve on their services. For more information on purchasing books or scheduling a workshop at your facility, please visit us at www.carycavittconsulting.com.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- President Cary Cavitt Consulting 2010 - Present
- GM / PGA Director of Golf Twin Lakes Golf Club 1992-2010
- GM / PGA Director of Golf Fort Sheridan Golf Club 1990-1992
- Head Professional Brookwood Golf Club 1985-1990
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- PGA Head Professional 1990 – 2010
- 2005 Illinois PGA Junior Leader Recipient
- Books Authored
- Service Starts With a Smile - 69 Reasons Why Customers Return
- Customer Service Superstars – Six Attitudes That Bring Out Our Best
- Five-Star Service
- Winning the Customer
- Luxury Service
- The Enjoyable Golf Club Experience – Providing Exceptional Guest Services
- 67 Life Applications – Found in a Golf Lesson
- People Skills – 65 Healthy Qualities for Better Relationships
- Being the Leader People Want to Follow
Dale Smigelsky, PGA
Dale Smigelsky, PGA director of golf at Collindale Golf Club in Fort Collins, Colo., is one of two Colorado PGA Section members to be named a 2012 PGA Merchandiser of the Year, and one of four in Section history since the award was established in 1978. He is a contracted golf professional for the City of Fort Collins that also owns the Collindale Golf Academy and Fitting Center on-site at Collindale.
Smigelsky, who attended Central Florida University, declared professional in 1979, and was first elected to PGA membership in 1985. He and his wife, Anne, live in Fort Collins, Colo., and are the parents of daughters Kali and Casi, and a son, Alex.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Spending his first 7 years (1978-1985) in the private club sector gave Dale a solid service background that he would take on to his public golf career. Leaving the golf business from 1986-1994, Dale was the Director of Franchising and then a franchisee for a mid-western based restaurant chain
He returned to Collindale as the Director of Golf in 2009, 15 years after starting there as an assistant golf professional. In between, he served at the City of Fort Collins' other two municipal golf facilities - as PGA Head Professional at City Park Nine Golf Course, and as PGA Head Professional and PGA Director of Golf at SouthRidge Golf Club.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- 2012 PGA Merchandiser of the Year Award for Public Facilities
- 2010 Colorado PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year for Public Facilities
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
David Donatucci
Sessions:
- Swing Symptoms And Solutions
David Donatucci is the Director PGA National Institute for Performance and also serves as subject matter expert for PGA of America member education programs
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Director of the International Performance Institute 2001-2008
- Coordinator of the Center for Athletic Performance, Cleveland Clinic Foundation
- Strength Coach for the Cleveland Rockers of the WNBA
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- B.S. from University of Dayton,
- M. Ed. from Cleveland State University
- National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- National Strength and Conditioning Association
- Advisory Board Member TPI
- President of Florida PKU Foundation.
Donna Orender
Former WNBA President Donna Orender to Steer New Golf 2.0 'Connecting With Her' Initiative
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - The PGA of America has engaged Donna Orender as a consultant to lead Golf 2.0's "Connecting with Her" strategy, a key component in the industry's overall goal of reaching 40 million golfers by 2020.
Golf 2.0 is the new long-range strategic plan for the golf industry to substantially increase the number of golfers, the rounds of golf played and the revenue generated from golf over the next decade among current and potential consumers of the game.
Orender, who served as Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) President from 2005-10, after working 17 years with the PGA Tour, is the founder of Orender Unlimited, a marketing, media and strategy company in Jacksonville Beach, Fla. In her consulting role with Golf 2.0, she will steer industry efforts to grow women's golf participation; identify and shape female-specific programming; and create a welcoming environment for more women to enter the game. Orender will also guide the establishment of partnerships with top women's organizations to leverage knowledge and resources in support of facility adoption and programs. In addition, Orender will position golf as an anecdote for women achieving balance in their busy lives, all the while pursuing good health, business networking, and family time in a fun-filled environment.
"The PGA is thrilled to retain Donna Orender to lead in the strategic development of our 'Connecting with Her' initiative for Golf 2.0," said Darrell Crall, PGA senior director, Golf 2.0, for The PGA of America.
"Donna's expertise in steering the growth of women's sports at the highest level will be critical in guiding the golf industry, as we tap new initiatives to appeal to women, who represent our game's fastest growing demographic."
Among Orender's many accolades are being named to the 2005 Sporting News' Annual Power 100, 2005 Fox Sports.com's 10 Most Powerful Women in Sports, and the 2007 BusinessWeek's Power 100 Sports lists.
"Donna Orender's name is synonymous with the growth of women's sports nationwide," added Crall.
"We are delighted that she will serve as an advocate in the development of new programs for women to positively connect with the game of golf."
"I'm excited by this incredible opportunity to make a difference in people's lives through the game of golf," said Orender.
"Our goal is to build dynamic and engaging growth- of-the-game programs that passionately appeal to women on both a personal and professional level."
About Golf 2.0
Golf 2.0 is a targeted, focused, long-range strategic plan for the golf industry to substantially increase the number of golfers, the rounds of golf played and the revenue generated from golf over the next decade among current and potential consumers of the game. The goal of Golf 2.0 is to increase the number of golfers to 40 million by the year 2020, while growing the relevance of golf in America. Golf 2.0 will build toward that goal on three core strategies: "Retain and Strengthen the Golfing Core;" "Engage Lapsed Golfers;" and "Drive New Players" to the game.
Eric Alpenfels
Eric Alpenfels is the Director of the Pinehurst Golf Academy and Golf Instruction at Pinehurst Resort. He is a Class "A" Member of the PGA of America and has been part of the Pinehurst family since 1985. His expertise has earned him recognition from Golf Magazine as one of the "Top 100 Teachers in America," Golf Digest as one of "America's 50 Greatest Teachers" and U.S. Kids Golf as one of the "Top 50 Teachers for Kids." Eric's activities beyond the fairways of Pinehurst are extensive, and include speaking engagements, contributions to industry publications and participation as an Adjunct Facility of the PGA of America Education Department. In partnership with Dr. Bob Christina, The Golf Academy is conducting research to pioneer the development of new practice techniques and innovative drills. He recently coauthored "Instinct Putting" with Dr. Bob Christina and Dr. Cary Heath.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Director of Pinehurst Golf Academy and Golf Instruction 1993 – Present
- Head Instructor – Pinehurst Golf Academy 1987 – 1993
- Instructor - Pinehurst Golf Academy 1985 – 1987
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Golf Magazine's Innovator of the Year Award 2008
- Outstanding Research Award from the World Scientific 2008
Congress of Golf
- National Magazine Award presented to Golf Magazine 2006
by the American Society of Magazine Editors
- Teacher of the Year / Carolina Section 1995
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Gary Dee, PGA
Gary Dee, Executive Vice President and Principal, brings an extensive history of golf course operations and development experience spanning more than thirty years to Heritage Golf Group. He currently oversees Marketing and Membership Sales at the Heritage Collection of properties nationwide. Dee also coordinates the transitions for all new proprieties and is the primary liaison in Heritage's Strategic Alliance with the PGA TOUR.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Prior to Heritage, Dee was a founding member of the Cobblestone Golf Group management team. During his tenure at Cobblestone, he received three "Special Achievement" awards and was awarded the prestigious "President's Cup" for outstanding contributions to the company. Prior to Cobblestone, he was Director of Operations for PGA TOUR Public Golf, Inc.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- 1983 PGA/Sports Illustrated National Merchandiser of the Year award.
- 1987 Northern Texas Sectional Merchandiser of the Year
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Dee has been a Class A member of the PGA of America since 1978. He is an active speaker at numerous PGA of America and golf industry conferences and has served on national PGA of America committees regarding Career Services and Communication and Public Awareness. Dee is a graduate of Drake University with a degree in Management.
Hank Haney
Hank Haney is ranked annually as one of the finest instructors in the world having coached more than 200 touring professionals from the PGA, LPGA, Champions, European, Japanese, Australian and Asian Tours over the course of his distinguished career. His students have won every major championship in professional golf, amateur golf and junior golf during his 35-plus years of teaching. He has gained further notoriety for his starring role on "The Haney Project," one of the highest-rated original entertainment television series on the Golf Channel where Haney instructs celebrity personalities with the goal of helping them achieve new personal benchmarks as amateur golfers.
Haney has authored four books on golf instruction, including "The Big Miss" in 2012, and produced 14 instructional DVD titles, in addition to leading more than 40,000 golf lessons around the world during the course of his career. He serves as Director of Instruction for the Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy in Hilton Head, South Carolina and is President of Hank Haney Golf Inc., which owns and operates five golf facilities in Texas.
James Cronk, CPGA
Sessions:
- THE POWER OF YOU - Being Successful in the Golf Business
James Cronk has been passionately involved in the golf industry for over twenty-five years and he has travelled the world speaking to organizations about golf while learning many of the best practices that are being used by individuals and clubs to succeed in this challenged industry. He has presented sessions at industry events such as Golf 2020, NGCOA US National Conference, CMAA World Conference, Asia Golf Summit and the European Golf Owners Conference. As a consultant and trainer his company, CRONK GROUP, helps organizations achieve their goals and increase their profits by improving their systems, their service and their people!
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- CRONK GROUP – Principle 2009 – Present
- NGCOA Canada – Education Director 2010 – Present
- WESBILD – VP Marketing & Resort Activities 2006 – 2008
- PLAY GOLF CANADA – Managing Director 2005 – 2008
- WESTWOOD PLATEAU GOLF CLUB – General Manager 2001 – 2008
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- '19TH Most Influential Person in Canadian Golf' – National Post 2007
- Fore Season Golf Executive Award Winner, NGCOA Canada 2006
- 'Top 40 Business People Under 40' – Business in Vancouver 2002
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- NGCOA Canada – Education Director 2010 – Present
- PGA of Canada - Executive Professional 1992 – Present
- PGA of Canada - National Board Member 2003 - 2005
- Canadian Society of Club Managers - Regional Board Member 2004
Jim A. Riscigno
B.S. Degree Florida State Business and Hospitality – Tallahassee, FL
MBA – Southern Methodist University – Dallas, TX
Jim Riscigno' s initial years in the hospitality industry were spent in the restaurant business in Chicago. This is where he learned about the importance of standards, levels of service, meeting the expectations of the customer and general management of a significant business. Jim then joined Club Corporation of America (CCA) in the early 70's and spent 30 years in the golf and private club business. He began as a club manager and soon stepped into a corporate position and became the Executive VP for what is now ClubCorp.
Having the good fortune to learn the business from Robert Dedman he still follows the values and culture of Dedman's original vision. Retirement from ClubCorp led Jim back to his alma mater joining Florida State University as the Executive in Residence and Director of the PGM major for the Dedman School of Hospitality and College of Business. Working in the golf industry with The PGA, GCSAA, CMAA and the university in helping young men and women learn our business through the PGA/PGM university program while attaining a business and hospitality degree has been a very rewarding experience.
Today Riscigno provides consulting and management services to clubs through his firm – ClubSpecialists Intl. at www.clubspecialists.com. ClubSpecialists work with lenders, developers, owners and Boards of Directors for member owned clubs. They have built a small boutique niche business with higher end private and semi-private clubs across the country.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- ClubSpecialists Intl. – Founder and CEO 2008 - Present
- Florida State University / Executive in Residence & PGM Director 2000-2009
- ClubCorp – Executive VP 1973-2003
- Restaurant Business as GM / Chicago Ill 1966 – 1973
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- President's award for significant contributions to the company (CCA)
- Board member for CCA
- President and founder of PGMEA – PGM Education Association
- Board of Director of FSU Seminole Boosters
- Board of Director of FSU Alumni Association
- Board of Director for Alumni of the Dedman School of Hospitality
- Alumnus of the Year – Dedman School of Hospitality
- CMAA member since 1976 – Developed the certification course for Golf Management for GM's working in a collaborative way with CMAA, PGA and GCSAA
- Subject matter expert with PGA education programs with focus on GM Certification education
- Founding Board member for the University Center Club in Tallahassee
- Speaker and panel moderator for: CMAA, PGA, Golf Inc. and other industry organizations
- Articles published in Golf Inc., Board Room Magazine and many other industry publications
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- CMAA
- NGF
- USGA
- Rotary International
Judith A. Alvarez, PGA, LPGA Master Professional
Judy Alvarez is ranked by Golf Digest Magazine Women Top 50 teachers and Golf Digest Top 50 Teachers in the State of Florida, has been honored by the Department of Defense with the Seven Seals Award for outstanding support of Florida National Guard and Reserves and Recipient of the SFPGA Section President's Plaque and a national trainer on Accessible Golf. Her students rank from weekend warriors and club champions to county and state champions. Alvarez has authored, Broken Tees and Mended Hearts and sits on the PGA of America's National Disabled and Inclusion Committees, on the Advisory Committee for both the National Alliance for Accessible Golf and S.N.A.G. She has coordinated, designed and implemented many local and national accessible golf programs. Alvarez has a Masters of Science in Sports Administration from St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida and was an Inductee into the Glen Cove, N.Y. Sports Hall of Fame for Golf. She resides in Palm City, Florida.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- The Legends Golf Club, Franklin, IN Director of Player Development May - Sept. 2012
- Mariner Sands Country Club, Stuart, FL Director of Instruction 2007 - 2012
- PGA of America: Professional Golf Management Adjunct Faculty 1997 - present
- PGA of America: National Military Accessible Golf Trainer 2007 - present
- Heritage Ridge GC, Hobe Sound, FL: Director of Instruction 2005 - 2007
- PGA Learning Center, Port St. Lucie, FL: Program Manager and Lead Instructor 2000 - 2003
- Villa del Ray, Delray Beach, FL: Head Golf Professional 1997 - 2000
- Southwinds GC, Boca Raton, FL: Head Golf Professional 1993 - 1995
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Larry Ross, Ph.D.
Dr. Ross is the Anne and Bill France Distinguished Professor of Business and Coordinator of the Graduate Program in Business at Florida Southern College. Professor Ross teaches undergraduate courses in marketing, strategic management, and hospitality. He teaches the capstone seminar in strategic management in the Masters of Business Administration program.
Dr. Ross received both his Ph.D. and MBA in business/marketing from Georgia State University. He received his undergraduate degree in business/hospitality management from Florida State University. Dr. Ross has been recognized, and received awards, for his outstanding approach and successful results as an innovative teacher.
Dr. Ross is the president of Food & Beverage Associates, Inc., an organization that designs strategies and facilitates strategic planning efforts in the areas of marketing, operations, and governance. He is frequently invited to give presentations and seminars ranging from cost control to the role of internal marketing in hospitality operations. Dr. Ross also works with a diverse group of clients in the areas of strategic planning and strategic management. He has worked as a restaurant owner, manager, and consultant for nearly 40 years. He sold his award winning restaurant in Key West and an upscale seafood grill in Lakeland, FL to focus on his academic career.
Dr. Ross has been teaching in the Business Management Institute program for the Club Managers Association of America for more than 25 years, including BMI I, BMI 2 and the prestigious CCM certification review course. He is a frequent presenter at CMAA's world conference.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Florida Southern College 1993 – Present
Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise, Lakeland, Florida.
Anne & Bill France Distinguished Professor
- Georgia State University 1979 - 1993.
Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration, Atlanta, GA.
Assistant Professor/Instructor
- Club Managers Association of America 1988 - Present
Instructor, Business Management Institute,
- National Restaurant Association, Management Institute 1993
- Food & Beverage Associates, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia 1980 - Present
Owner/President
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Miller Distinguished Professor Award, Florida Southern College, 2009
- ODK Outstanding Professor Award, Florida Southern College, 2001.
- Exemplary Teaching Award, Florida Southern College, 1998.
- Graduate Teaching Excellence Award, nominated 1988, nominated & selected 1989.
- Outstanding Professor Award, Mortar Board Senior Honor Society, 1991.
- GSU Alumni Distinguished Professor Award, nominated 1991.
- College of Public and Urban Affairs Service Achievement Award, nominated 1991.
- Atlanta Society of Hospitality Education Students Faculty Achievement Award, 1991.
- Southeastern CHRIE, Teaching and Service Award, nominated 1992.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Club Managers Association of America
- Omicron Delta Kappa (Leadership Honorary)
- Phi Delta Theta (Business Honorary)
Leigh Bader
Leigh is a Class A PGA Professional and entrepreneur. He, together with his business partner, is the co-owner of the multiple national award winning, Joe & Leigh's Discount Golf Pro Shop in South Easton, MA, The Pine Oaks Golf Course and Joe & Leigh's Golf Performance Center.
Leigh is also the President of 3balls.com, Inc., which started as an online experiment growing out of his golf shop operations. Today, 3balls.com ranks as one of the largest e-commerce sites in the world, making the "Internet Retailer Top 500" list numerous times. 3balls is also one of the largest sellers on the eBay platform and was inducted into the eBay Hall of Fame in 2007.
3balls manages the day-to-day operations of the PGA Trade-In Network and The PGA.com Value Guide in Partnership with The PGA of America and Turner Sports.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Leigh has been immersed in Golf his entire career. His passion for the game was in evidence early on, when at the age of five years, Leigh constructed a rudimentary miniature golf course in the family backyard. That was only the beginning
- 3balls.com, Inc. – President, 2000 - Present
- Pine Oaks Golf Course – Co-owner, 1981-Present
- Joe & Leighs Discount Golf Pro Shop – Co-owner, 1981- Present
- Joe & Leigh's Golf Performance Center – Co-owner, 2011 - present
- PGA Trade-In Network – President, 2004 - Present
- Easton Country Club – General Manager/Head PGA Professional 1978-1981
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- PGA Class A Professional since 1985
- PGA National Merchandiser of the Year - Public (2001, 1994)
- New England PGA Merchandiser of the Year-Public (2012, 2000, 1994)
- GolfWorld Top 100 Golf Shops – 19 times
- GolfWorld 100 Best All time Shops - 2006
- BBA University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 1977
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- PGA of America, Member
- Golf 20/20, Executive Board Member
- PGA Affinity Committee
- New England Golf Course Owners Association, Director
- Alliance of Massachusetts Golf Organizations. Founder
Lynn Marriott, PGA
Sessions:
- Peak Performance Practice For Skill Development
VISION54's Complete Game Coaches
Lynn Marriott and Pia Nilsson are the founders of VISION54. They are both featured among the top-50 list for Golf Digest. Golf Digest recently honored them with the #1 and #2 rankings for female instructors in the US. In 2005, GOLF Magazine named VISION54's flagship program, 54 GOLF, the number one golf school in the U.S.
Marriott and Nilsson also have co-authored a number of best-selling books, including Play Your Best Golf Now, Every Shot Must Have A Purpose, and The Game Before the Game. Their coaching articles have been frequently featured in the major golf publications, and they have enjoyed numerous appearances on The Golf Channel.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Golf Digest Top 50 teacher
- Nike Golf Swoosh Elite Advisory Staff
- NG360 Nike Golf Performance Specialist
- TPI Level III certified golf fitness instructor
- Director of Education at Arizona State University Golf Course 1993-1999
- Director of LPGA teacher training 1988-1997
- Consultant to LPGA Urban Youth Golf Program 1989-2004
- The First Tee Program Consultant 1998-2005
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- LPGA Teacher of the Year 1992
- Ellen Griffin Rolex Award Recipient 2008
- Southwest PGA Teacher of the Year 2010
- Consultant to college teams, international teams and PGA organizations around the world.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Class A PGA teaching professional
- Class A LPGA teaching professional
Mark Konchan
Mr. Konchan received his Master of Business Administration degree from Penn State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Safety Sciences from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is a Certified Safety Professional, holds the Associate Risk Management (ARM) Designation, candidate for the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation and has over 25 years' experience in the Loss Control Field also serving as an Adjunct Professor for St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia providing graduate level instruction in Risk Management.
Mr. Konchan is Vice President of the Loss Control Department for Philadelphia Insurance Company where he is responsible for executing large account and risk improvement servicing, overseeing the in-house and contracted engineering and risk management services, reviewing and monitoring all engineering recommendations, monitoring and trending losses, and developing technical and procedural loss control safety programs, policyholder training modules and advanced technical bulletins.
Michael S. Breed, PGA
Michael Breed of Greenwich, Conn., whose telegenic instruction skills through his signature Golf Channel program, "The Golf Fix," has motivated countless viewers to enjoy the game, has been named the recipient of the 2012 PGA Teacher of the Year Award. He follows Michael Hebron, PGA (1991) of St. James, N.Y., as the only Metropolitan PGA members to receive The PGA of America's highest honor for a golf instructor.
Breed, 50, launches the Michael Breed Golf Academy at Manhattan Woods in West Nyack, NY following 12 seasons as PGA head professional at Sunningdale Country Club in Scarsdale, N.Y. A native of Greenwich, Conn., Breed began his athletic career in baseball as a shortstop, and was introduced to golf at age 13 by his father.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Breed is a 1985 graduate of Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va., where he was a standout player for the Yellow Jackets, and was a 2004 inductee into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame. Breed declared professional in 1985, and made a bid in 1991 to earn a berth on the former Ben Hogan (now Web.com Tour).
Breed was a PGA assistant professional at Augusta (Ga.) National Golf Club from 1989 through 1992, before serving as assistant from 1992 to 1995, for former PGA Professional National Champion Darrell Kestner at Deepdale Golf Club in Manhasset, N.Y. In 1994, Breed competed in the Greater Hartford Open on the PGA Tour.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
In 2009, Breed was selected to host "The Golf Fix," elevating it into one of golf's most popular instruction programs on cable television. He also serves as host instructor for Golf Channel's "Big Break Academy."
- Metropolitan PGA Board of Directors 2005 – 2010
- National PGA Instruction Committee 2010 – 2012
- Metropolitan PGA Education Committee Chairman
- Ely Callaway Award for education 2010 and 2011
- Metropolitan PGA Teacher of the Year 2000 and 2009
- Metropolitan PGA Horton Smith Award - 2006 and 2007
For more than a decade, Breed has served as a member and is among ., and since 2003 has been listed as a top 100 instructor by GOLF Magazine. Breed's worldwide travels include trips to Canada and China to promote PGA education and has appeared before more than 15 PGA Sections nationwide.
Breed has coached 2003 PGA Champion Shaun Micheel, and past Tour winners Chris Smith and Joe Ogilvie. His current students include five-time Web.com Tour winner Darron Stiles, Ron Whitaker and LPGA winner Meghan Francella.
Breed also is co-author of "Picture Perfect Golf Swing: The Complete Guide to Golf Swing Video Analysis" (2008) and "The 3-Degree Putting Solution" (2011).
Breed and his wife, Kerri, live in Greenwich, Conn., and are parents of a son, William.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- PGA of America
- Titleist Leadership Advisory Staff
- Golf Digest's Top 50 instructors in the U.S
Mike Malaska, PGA
Mike Malaska's knowledge of the golf swing, as well as his philosophy and expertise at incorporating physical fitness programs in his golf instruction are simple…"There is no individual that is willing to practice – no matter what their physical limitations are – that I cannot teach to achieve their highest potential in the game of golf"!
His desire to understand and perfect the golf fame has made him an outstanding player as well. Mike has competed in a number of PGA and Champions Tour events, including the 1988, 2009, and 2010 PGA Championship. He also played the Asian Golf Tour for 2 years and competed in the 1982 and 1986 U.S. Opens.
His career has spanned over 38 years of instruction and playing experience working alongside Jim Flick with the Nicklaus/Flick Golf Schools from 1991 through 2002 and served as Director of Instruction for the Jack Nicklaus Golf Center in Japan (1992-1995). While in Japan, Malaska was featured in Golf Digest Japan and was nominated for Japan's Teacher of the Year in 1993.
Establishing Malaska International Golf in 1995 Mike has worked with 100s of corporations such as Lexus, American Express, visa, Fidelity Investments, KBW Financial, and many others. Mike's students have included numerous PGA/LPGA and Champions Tour players, many celebrities as well as prominent political figures throughout the work.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Mike is currently the Director of Instruction for Nicklaus Academies Worldwide and instructs the teachers at each of the center around the globe. He has serviced as a consultant to TaylorMade-adidas Golf Worldwide since 2002. He has been a guest lecturer at corporate functions, PGA Section seminars and for the PGA of America Teaching & Coaching Summit. Having appeared numerous time on The Golf Channel as a guests instructor and in 2004 produced his own instructional DVD, "You Are Your Own Swing", featuring 2½ hours of both golf and fitness instruction
Mike Malaska's knowledge of the golf swing, as well as his philosophy and expertise for incorporating physical fitness and nutrition programs into his teaching, has made him one of the world's most sought after instructors. He is currently listed among Golf Digest's America's 50 Greatest Teachers (Number 28) and Golf Magazine's Top 100 Teachers in America. As a frequent guest on The Golf Channel Malaska is a Contributing Instructor at Golf Magazine where he has been featured on the magazine's cover three times.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- 2011 PGA of America Teacher of the Year
- Named among Golf Digest Magazine's America's 50 Greatest Teachers since 2000
- Named among Golf Magazine's Top 100 Teachers in America since 1995
- Named among Golf World Business Magazine's "Who's Who of the Future in Golf Instruction" in 2000
- Utah PGA Section Teacher of the Year in 1996
- Competed in PGA Tour events including the 1982 and 1986 US Open and 1988 PGA Championship and 2009 Senior PGA Championship.
- Won the Utah State Open and several PGA Section Championships
- Guest lecturer at the PGA's National Teaching and Coaching Summits
- The Golf Channel Live guest instructor on multiple occasions and is featured with Jim Flick on "Vision, Feel, Rhythm." video/DVD
- "You Are Your Own Swing" is Mike's own video/DVD which features over 2 1/2 hours of golf and fitness instruction
- Golf Magazine Contributing Teacher with three covers and dozens of articles
- NCAA All-American at Weber State University, Ogden, Utah. Inducted into Weber State's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999
- Mike has competed or taught golf in the following countries: Bermuda, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, United States and West Indies.
Dr. Paul Schempp, Ed.D
Dr. Paul G. Schempp is an expert on expertise. Named the 2004 Distinguished Scholar by the International Center for Performance Excellence at West Virginia University, he has dedicated his professional life to understanding what it takes to be an expert performer. As a research professor and the Director of the Sport Instruction Research Laboratory at the University of Georgia, he has spent over a decade conducting award-winning research into the characteristics and development of expertise.
Dr. Schempp, president of Performance Matters, Inc., is a professional speaker, coach and consultant. Paul has more than 25 years of experience in the fields of research, teaching and professional development.
The author of six books, including 5 Steps to Expert (Davies-Black, Publishers), over 90 articles, and having given over 150 presentations in 28 countries makes Professor Schempp an internationally renowned speaker, scholar, and educator. He has served as a Senior Fulbright Research Scholar at the University of Frankfurt (Germany), a visiting professor at the Nanyang Technical University in Singapore, and has delivered lecturers at two dozen Universities on three continents.
Applying research to practice, Paul designed performance programs for the Swedish Golf Federation, English Golf Union and Mexico National Golf teams. He also coaches individual players on the PGA, Nationwide and European PGA professional golf tours. As has served as the scientific consultant to Golf Digest, in selecting America's 50 Greatest Teachers. He was also instrumental in developing GOLF Magazine's Top 100 Teachers in America program. His clients include American Society for Training and Development, BASF, National Institute of Education in Singapore, Club Corporation of America, Professional Golf Association of America, Ladies Professional Golf Association, International Professional Tennis Registry, Nix Health Care Systems, Society for Human Resource Management, USA Track and Field Association, and the Swiss Soccer Federation.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- University of Georgia Professor 1992-present
- University of Frankfurt, Germany Fulbright Scholar 1991-1992
- University of Oregon Associate Professor 1985-1991
- Kent State University Assistant Professor 1981-1985
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- 2006 Excellence in Teaching Award.
Kappa Delta Epsilon College of Education Honor Society.
University of Georgia, Athens, GA.
- 2004 Distinguished Lecturer.
International Center for Performance Excellence, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV.
- 1999 Scholar Award. American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Southern District.
- 1996 & 1993 The Research Award.
Award in recognition for excellence in research by the Georgia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.
- 1993 Cagigal Memorial Scholar Lecture.
Invited keynote address before the 1993 World University Games, Buffalo, NY in honor of former AIESEP President Jose-Marie Cagigal.
- 1992 Fulbright Intercountry Lecturer.
Invited by the British Fulbright Commission to deliver a series of lectures at Universities in Great Britain.
- 1991-1992 Senior Fulbright Research Scholar.
Institut für Sportwissenschaften, Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe Universität-Frankfurt, Federal Republic of Germany.
- 1990 Mabel Lee Award, awarded for demonstrating outstanding potential in scholarship, teaching and professional leadership by the
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.
- 1989 Young Scholar Recognition Award
Western College Physical Education Society, Reno, NV.
- 1983 E.H. Arnold Award, awarded by the University of Bridgeport Alumni Association for outstanding contributions to the field of physical education.
Pia Nilsson, PGA of Sweden
Sessions:
- Peak Performance Practice For Skill Development
VISION54's Complete Game Coaches
Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott are the founders of VISION54. They are both featured among the top-50 list for Golf Digest. Golf Digest recently honored them with the #1 and #2 rankings for female instructors in the US. In 2005, GOLF Magazine named VISION54's flagship program, 54 GOLF, the number one golf school in the U.S.
Nilsson and Marriott also have co-authored a number of best-selling books, including Play Your Best Golf Now, Every Shot Must Have A Purpose, and The Game Before the Game:. Their coaching articles have been frequently featured in the major golf publications, and they have enjoyed numerous appearances on The Golf Channel.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Golf Digest Top 50 Teacher
- Nike Golf Swoosh Elite Advisory Staff
- NG360 Nike Golf Performance Specialist
- TPI Level III certified golf fitness
- Head Coach of the Swedish National Golf Teams 1990-1999
- The First Tee Program consultant 1999-2005
- Consultant to college teams, international teams and PGA organizations around the world.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- European Solheim Cup captain 1998
- LPGA tour player 1983-1987
- King of Sweden's Medal of the 8th dimension with a Royal Blue Ribbon – for leadership in sports
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- PGA of Sweden Class A teaching professional
- Honorary member PGA of Sweden and LPGA T&CP
Richard C. Brasser, PGA
Sessions:
- Integrated Sales Techniques with Social Media
- Maximizing Value with Your Private Social Network
With over 14 years of experience in the interactive media world, Richard has become one of the leading experts in social media and interactive marketing. As an acclaimed speaker, author and thought leader, Richard has been a speaker for the Golf Merchandiser of the Year Conference, Golf Travel Conference, Mentoring and Coaching Conference as well as many large corporate events. Richard is the lead technology writer for Club Management Magazine, an "Entrepreneur Roadmap" board member for the Kauffman Foundation and a member of the Social Media Task Force for NASDAQ.
Since founding the company in 1999, Richard has helped some of the nation's leading brands and exclusive clubs create their social networking strategies and successful interactive media initiatives. Aiding in strategic marketing programs for companies such as Nicklaus, SAP, Intuit, Citibank Smith Barney, Avaya Nortel, GMAC, Pepsi and RSM McGladrey, Richard has honed his understanding of how to create real engagement and long lasting value using social strategies. As a PGA Member and former Tour Player, Richard understands the golf industry and the needs of clubs around the world.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
| 1999 – Present |
The Targeted Group, Inc.
Chief Executive Officer / President |
Charlotte, NC |
| 2006 – 2008 |
Foundation Club Angels, LLC /
dba. Carlton Richards
Founding Member/Managing Partner |
Charlotte, NC
Charlotte, NC |
| 2003 – 2008 |
The Foundations Club
President/Co-Founder |
| 1993 - 1999 |
Touring Professional Golfer |
San Diego, CA |
| 1990 - 1992 |
FISI – Madison Financial
Account Executive/VP of Interactive Marketing |
Chicago, IL |
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- CMAA – Chief Technology Writer for Club Management Magazine
- PGA Magazine – Multiple conference speaker and columnist
- Nasdaq – Social Media Task Force member - 2009
- Kauffman Foundation – "Entrepreneurial Roadmap" Board member - Selected as one of only 20 entrepreneurs from around the world to participate
- Charlotte Mayoral Campaign – Social Media Advisor – 2009
- Inc.500 Conference – Speaker 2004, Honored as "Face of Entrepreneurism" 2007
- Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) – Honoree
- Business Person of the Year – NRCC – 2004
- Entrepreneur of the Year – Charlotte Chamber of Commerce – 2003
- National Leadership Award – Honorary Co-Chairman, Business Advisory Council
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- PGA of America – Class A Professional
- Interactive Marketing Association – Board Member, Web Chair
- MENG – Top Marketing Executive Association – Social Technology Advisor and member
- CMAA – Chief technology writer for Club Management Magazine
- Media Matter – Association Trends Blog – Columbia House – Social Media Writer
- Business, Innovation and Growth Council (BIG) – Founding Member and Past Board Chairman
- Entrepreneurial Advisory Council – Board Member
- Inc. Magazine – Marketing Consultant and Strategic Partner
- Blumenthal Center for Performing Arts – Corporate Fundraising Board member
- The Miranda Fund – Founding team member that helped create over $800,000 for Juvenile Cancer
- Make-a-Wish Foundation – Board member for Dienst Fundraising effort
- Young Entrepreneurs Organization
- The Presidents Forum – 4 year participant
- Entrepreneurial Institute
Rick Sessinghaus is known as "Golf's Mental Coach". He is an expert on the mindset principles that make or break performance on and off the course. His coaching has helped top junior, collegiate, and professional golfers reach new levels of performance. He is a Senior Instructional Editor for Golf Tips Magazine and has been a mental game contributor on Fox Sports Network. He is the author of the book, Golf: The Ultimate Mind Game which has been used by leading golf instructors across the country as the "best resource to improve your mental game."
Rick has combined his Bachelor's Degree in Speech Communications with his Masters and Doctorate in Applied Sports Psychology to create unique golf mental seminars across the country. As a sought after speaker and trainer to those companies looking to improve the key skills of motivation, focus, confidence, and execution, Rick's Take AIM system for mastering the mental game skills has been used in his interactive business trainings. Rick uses golf as the metaphor for improving business performance.
He makes his home base as a PGA Director of Instruction coaching at Chevy Chase Country Club in Glendale, CA. Rick's coaching philosophy revolves around understanding the uniqueness of each student and tailoring his coaching to fit their physical and personality needs.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Chevy Chase CC, Glendale, CA- Director of Instruction 2008-Present
- Santa Clara University - Santa Clara, CA Mental Game Consultant 2009-Present
for Women's Golf Team
- Golf Tips Magazine - Senior Instructional Editor 2007-Present
- Rick Sessinghaus Golf Academy (Indoor Facility) Burbank,CA 2005-2008
Director of Instruction
- Scholl Canyon Golf Course, Glendale, CA – Director of Instruction 1997-2005
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Golf Tips Magazine Top 25 Instructors in America 2011-2012
- Presenter at the Southern California PGA Teaching Summit 2011
- Nominated for Top 100 in America for Golf Magazine 2010
- Southern California PGA Metro Chapter Teacher of the Year 2008
- Certified Mental Game Certified Professional- Peak Sports Inc. 2008
- Earned Doctorate (Psy.D) - Applied Sports Psychology from OPI 2007
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- PGA Member since 2002
- AASP Member (Association for Applied Sports Psychology)
- Wilson Staff National Advisory Staff Member
- Oakley Ambassador
Sheryl Bindelglass
Sheryl Bindelglass has more than 25 years of practical, hands-on experience in the golf, recreation and family entertainment business. A leading expert in facility operations, retailing, staff training, group sales, marketing and special events, Sheryl brings ideas and energy to every situation. As President and founder of Sheryl Golf, she designs programs and marketing promotions that can deliver stellar profits for her clients.
Prior to starting her own company, she was Executive Vice President for Fairway Golf Center, a 32-acre golf and recreation facility located in Piscataway, NJ. During her time there, the facility was named as one of the Top 100 Best Pro Shops by Golf World Business for 6 consecutive years and among the Top 100 Golf Ranges, as selected by The Golf Range Association of America ("GRAA") 10 years in a row, and awarded the Best of the Best for Family Entertainment facilities, and Birthday Parties for 8 years running. Sheryl also has experience in the non-profit realm, having been an athletic director at a community center.
Her recent workshops include presentations at the PGA Merchandise Show, Fun Expo, CMAA and NGCOA.
Sheryl received the Association of Golf Merchandiser's (AGM) most coveted award, Retailer of the Year in 2004. She is also a multiple winner of the Front Nine award from AGM, and has been selected to join the AGM Education Team, providing seminars on various retail topics throughout America. She also serves on the AGM Board of Directors. Her passion and innovation for the business provides clients with a wealth of knowledge and solutions to everyday situations.
Suzy M. Whaley, PGA/LPGA
Suzy is one of the nation's most acclaimed golf instructors and public speakers. She
is a member of The PGA of America and a member of the LPGA Teaching and
Club Professionals. Whaley was recently elected to The PGA of America Board of
Directors to represent the Connecticut, New England and Northeastern New York
PGA Sections – the first woman to do so from her District. She is also a member of
the PGA of America's National Instruction and National Diversity committees.
Suzy and her husband, Bill, are parents of two daughters, Jennifer and Kelly.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Her many teaching accolades include being chosen among the top teachers in Connecticut by Golf Digest, a number five designation by Golf Digest magazine for the 50 Best Women Teachers in America in 2010, the 2008 LPGA Northeast Section Teacher of the Year and a two- time Connecticut PGA Teacher of the Year.
She joins LPGA Tour and World Golf Foundation Halls of Fame golfer Nancy Lopez and fitness expert Donna Richardson Joyner as spokespeople for the 2010 American Express Women's Golf Month.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
In 2002, Whaley was the first woman in 58 years to qualify and participate
in a PGA Tour event (the 2003 Greater Hartford Open).
In 2005, she became the first woman to qualify for the PGA Professional National Championship, finishing tied for 64th.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
The PGA of America
LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals
Tracy Moffatt
Tracy Moffatt has been an Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) member for the past 14 years and a member of the AGM Education Team. As an Education Team member, she has presented seminars and workshops for the Golf Industry in both the United States and Canada. Tracy also serves on the AGM Board of Directors as the Secretary/Treasurer.
Tracy began K & K Consulting in 2002 to offer more in depth merchandising assistance to AGM Members and other Golf Operations. She works with golf facilities to develop Open to Buy plans, implement sound inventory management and control, and offer necessary training to improve profitability. She is also a frequent Golf Shop inventory software installer and trainer for the Jonas Software Company.
Tracy worked as the Golf Shop Manager at Quail Creek Country Club in Naples, Florida for nine years. Quail Creek is an upscale, private, member owned facility with Golf Shop sales in excess of $600,000. At Quail Creek, Tracy was responsible for all Golf Shop purchasing including hardgoods, inventory control, and managing the merchandise sales staff.
Prior to transferring to Florida, Tracy worked as a Senior Merchandise Manager for the J. C. Penney Company in their Chicago market. Her 17 years at J. C. Penney were spent in seven different stores and buying for departments with sales of up to 4 million dollars.
Tracy is an avid golfer and her husband, Mark, is a member of the PGA of America.
Jeff Beaudry
Jeff Beaudry, elected to PGA membership in 1979, has served as a PGA Employment Consultant since 1998. Beaudry came to The PGA from the Utah PGA Section where he had been the Executive Director for 11 years. He previously held positions as PGA Club Professional and General Manager.
Beaudry has been the recipient of numerous awards including, the Colorado PGA Section Bill Strausbaugh Award for Career Services (2000, 2002); SGMA Unsung Heroes Award; Utah PGA Section Distinguished Service Award (1999); National Federation of Interscholastic Official of the Year (1998); Utah PGA Section Bill Strausbaugh Award for Career Services (1993); and Distinguished Service Award Utah High School Activities Association (1992).
Actively involved in the Special Olympics, Beaudry was named the recipient of the Conrad Rehling Award for contributions to the growth of Special Olympics in 2007. He also served as Chairman of the Board, Utah Special Olympics; Rules Chair, Special Olympics National Invitational (2000); Rules Committee, Special Olympics World Games (1999); Rules Chair, Special Olympics World Games (1995); and Pacific Northwest and Utah Section Olympics Business Plan Facilitator.
Beaudry attended the University of Utah.
Warren E. Bottke, PGA
Results oriented PGA Master Professional with extensive experience managing and directing golf operations and instructional programs. An excellent communicator with strong interpersonal and creative leadership skills. Recognized for customizing programs for players of all skill levels with a proven record of maximizing productivity. Organizer and Guest Director for golf schools and corporate outings.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Director of Instruction - 1999 to present
Abacoa Golf Club – Jupiter, Florida
- 18-hole upscale daily-fee golf course opened in 1999-50,000 rounds played annually
- Supervise Instructors in directing golf program
- Implement and direct golf schools, junior golf camps and 1500 private golf lessons annually
- Organize successful tournaments and clinics for corporate groups internationally
PGA of America - 1995 to present
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
- National faculty member for Instruction
- Master Professional Certification program
- Professional Golf Management Program (PGM)
- Teaching Curriculum/Subject Matter Expert
Director of Instruction - 1997-1999
Tradition Golf Club – Royal Palm Beach, Florida
- Newly renovated 18 hole semi-private golf club with "short game course"
- Designed and coordinated a comprehensive instructional program
- Created a short game skill assessment test
- Established a teaching manual for training and development of new Instructors
Director of Instruction - 1993-1997
- The Pines at Divots Golf Center – Loxahatchee, Florida
- Assisted in the design and construction of a par 3, 9-hole golf course
- Pioneered complete instructional program for adults and juniors
- Coached on-site and tour location for PGA/LPGA tour players
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Vice-President of South Florida Section PGA
- PGA National "Horton Smith Award" - 2005
- South Florida PGA "Horton Smith Award" - 1987, 1989, 2004, 2005
- Southeast Florida Chapter PGA "Horton Smith Award" - 2003, 2004
- Southeast Chapter PGA "Teacher of the Year" - 1997, 2007,2008
- South Florida PGA "Teacher of the Year" Finalist - 2008
- PGA of America Certified in Teaching - 2004
- PGA of America Master Professional in Instruction - 2005
- The Golf Channel "Golf Academy Live" Guest Instructor - 1999, 2003, '06
- Golf Digest "Florida's Top Golf Instructor" - 2000 - 2006
- South Florida PGA Section Officer- Secretary - 2008-2009
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- PGA of America – since 1981
- Golf Witness Group – co-founder/expert witness in litigation involving golf accidents
- Titleist Golf Company – National Staff Member
- Oakley – National Staff Member
Henry B. DeLozier
Henry B. DeLozier is a Principal in Global Golf Advisors, the international specialist providing consulting services to the investment banking, real estate development and golf asset ownership and operations business segments. Mr. DeLozier joined Global Golf Advisors in 2008 after nine years as the Vice President – Golf of Pulte Homes (NYSE: PHM).
Given his background with residential real estate development and lifestyle strategy, he serves GGA clients throughout the world to identify and refine strategic options and to accelerate tactical solutions and financial returns. During his tenure at Pulte Homes the company became the largest developer of golf communities and of golf courses in the USA, having invested more than $500 million in the development of golf assets and building 27 new golf courses within ten states. In addition, Mr. DeLozier was responsible for the financial performance of more than 20 Pulte golf courses, the replacement value of which exceeded $300 million with annual revenues greater than $90 million.
Recognized across the globe for his thought leadership in golf-related businesses, he is called one of the "Most Influential People in Golf" since 1999 by the Crittenden publications. Mr. DeLozier serves on the Employers Advisory Council for the Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA). He is a Past President of the Board of Directors for the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) in America.
Mr. DeLozier is acknowledged within the golf and club categories for his uncommon understanding of golf and residential properties. He is known as a no-nonsense profit producer, as an innovative marketer, and as an advocate of exceptional customer service. His career history reflects new concept introductions and numerous successful business turnarounds.
A 'go to' resource on matters of golf-related resort and residential investment and development, Mr. DeLozier is often called upon for comment on social and economic trends particular to golf business segments. He serves as an expert source for Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Business Week, CNBC-Squawk Box, the Financial Times of London, GOLF magazine, Golf Digest, Golf Business, the New York Times, PGA Tour Network, the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post.
Mr. DeLozier is a graduate of Oklahoma State University (B.A. – English) where he was an All-American golfer.
About Global Golf Advisors
Global Golf Advisors (GGA, formerly KPMG Golf Industry Practice) is an international consulting practice that provides specialized advisory and support services to more than 2,400 clients worldwide. GGA has offices in Dublin (Ireland), Phoenix (USA) and Toronto (Canada) and offers advisory expertise in all areas of the business of golf. GGA specializes in transaction structuring and business valuations, market and feasibility studies, strategic planning, operational performance analysis. For more information, please visit www.globalgolfadvisors.com.
Jon Last
With over 20 years of management experience, Jon Last is founder and President of Sports and Leisure Research Group, a White Plains, NY based full service marketing research consultancy that supports leading brands in sports marketing, travel, media and leisure categories.
Last's previous experience includes more than seven years as Vice President of Corporate Marketing, Research and Brand Development for Conde Nast's Golf Digest Companies division. At GDC, Last built a full service marketing research, relationship marketing and strategy firm that was leveraged to drive over $30 million of advertising revenue annually and emerged as a leader in supporting marketers in golf and travel.
Prior to leading GDC's marketing efforts, Last served in senior marketing and strategic planning roles within the leisure and sports industries. At the PGA of America, Jon developed and managed all marketing research, including initiating the All About Golf series of consumer segmentation studies that received national attention in The Wall Street Journal and American Demographics. He also oversaw marketing and retailing activities surrounding the PGA Championship, Ryder Cup Matches and PGA Golf Expositions. Jon has also overseen loyalty marketing, E-business, marketing research and product management for a leading cruise line.
A frequent speaker at national industry conferences and a recognized expert in the sports, travel and media research space, Jon Last currently serves on the national boards of directors for Marketing Research Institute International (MRII), The Executive Women's Golf Association (EWGA), Council for Marketing and Opinion Research (CMOR) and is past president of the Marketing Research Association (MRA). He received MRA's national Award of Excellence in 2004. Last holds an M.B.A. from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and is a magna cum laude graduate of Tufts University.
Sports and Leisure Research Group plays a pivotal role in providing marketing professionals with the most extensive customized research and consulting services available. The principals of Sports and Leisure Research Group are each former national presidents of the U.S. Marketing Research Association (MRA), coupling an acute understanding of the sports, travel and leisure markets with a classical marketing research background. The firm's expertise allows its clients to take a more creative and strategic approach to advertising research, brand optimization and ROI assessment, product development testing, target market analysis and sales support research. SLRG offers capabilities including focus groups, mail, telephone and online surveys and one-on-one interviews. SLRG clients include leading brands and retailers in the sporting goods industry, professional leagues and governing bodies, as well as global agencies brands and media that focus on and activate around professional sports.
Michael G. Leemhuis, M.A. Ed., CCM, PGA Master Professional
Michael was born and had his initial education in South Africa. After graduating from Pretoria Boys High School, he went on to study at Wits University in Johannesburg where he graduated in 1976 with a teaching degree, specializing in Physical Education and History.
Michael started his teaching career at the famous King Edward VII School in Johannesburg where he taught Physical Education for 3 years. It was Michael's desire for education that took him to the United States in 1979, where he studied for 2 semesters at UCLA in California. It was this experience at UCLA that drove him to complete his graduate degree at East Carolina University in 1991, where he was awarded a Master's Degree in Education, specializing in Sport Administration and Management.
Michael's life time goal of a career in sport has been realized and he is the first one to tell you that the only jobs he has ever had have been in the sports field. The sports have changed, but his commitment to the sports industry has never wavered. His work experience in sport has run through many different industries; hotel/resort management; stadium management; athlete representation; event management and private club management to name a few.
He is also no stranger to major sporting events, having been very involved in the organization of a US Open (2011); USTA Tennis event; numerous PGA TOUR events and multiple ultra-distance marathon and triathlon races.
Certification combined with education are what Mike believes are the cornerstones of success in business and in life.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Michael's extensive leadership and sports experience has been gained in his roles: CEO of Congressional Country Club - Present
- President of the Club Managers Association of America - 2009
- GM/Director of Golf at the PGA TOUR
- General Manager, Sport and Recreation at Sun City Resort
- Tournament Director of the Nedbank Million Dollar Golf Challenge
- Managing Director of Sports International.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Certified Club Manager (CCM)
- Certified Chief Executive (CCE) through the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA)
- PGA of South Africa (Master Professional)
- CMAA Club Manager of the Year award - 2011
Congressional Country Club was named #1 Platinum Club in America 2012
An avid sportsman himself, Mike has twice completed the grueling Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon, numerous other ultra-triathlons, two ultra-distance marathons (Comrades) and 40 regular marathons. Besides golf, his other passions are fishing, photography, travel, wine and reading.
Michael is a native of South Africa, a citizen of the United States, married to his wife of 29 years Dale and proud father of two very athletic sons, Matthew (25) and Joshua (21) and they reside in Potomac, Maryland, USA.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Club Managers Association of America
- PGA of America
- PGA of South Africa
Dawes M. Marlatt, PGA
- Director of Education, PGA of America
- PGA Master Professional
- Certified in General Management, Instruction, Executive Management
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Designed PGA Golf Management Program for the University of Idaho College of Business 2001
- General Manager, The Golf Club at Idaho 1998-2008
- PGA Adjunct Faculty Member 1999 - 2008
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- PNW PGA Section Horton Smith Award Recipient 2002
- Graduate from University of Idaho:
- BS Business Marketing 1996
- MS Sports & Recreation Management 2001
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Elected to PGA Membership 1997
David T. Normand, Jr., PGA
Dave Normand is a Master Professional and a PGA member since 1991. Elected to PGA of America's National Board of Directors 2000-2003 he has been involved with teaching member education workshops for the past 15 years. Dave is an Adjunct Faculty Member of the PGA of America's Master Professional Program and Professional Golf Management Program.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Ft Campbell/Cole Park GC – Head Professional 2009 – present
- McMinnville Country Club – General Manager 2007 – 2009
- Indian Hills Golf Club – Owner/Managing Partner 1997 - 2007
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- PGA of America National Horton Smith Award Winner - 2000
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Dr. Gary Wiren, PGA
A golf educator, member of The PGA Golf Professionals' Hall of Fame and the GOLF MAGAZINE World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame, Wiren served The PGA of America as Director of Education for 12 years. He has written or participated in the writing of over 200 magazine articles and 11 books. His latest, "When Golf Is a Ball," was selected as the "best golf book in the year 2004." He has 13 film credits, four videos on the market including the award-winning, "The Fascinating World of Golf," and has taught, privately, in groups, at seminars and stage performances, over 250,000 people in 34 countries. He has a master's degree from the University of Michigan and a PhD from the University of Oregon.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Wiren is a past board member of the National Golf Foundation, the American Junior Golf Association and the Children's Golf Foundation. Dr. Wiren was the keynote speaker at the First Scientific Congress of Golf at St. Andrews University and was chairman of the coaching section there on two other occasions. He keynoted the 1990 PGA Teaching Summit in Nashville, Tenn. as well as in Canada and Australia. He is honored with an extensive bio and commentary from contributor critics in the 2012 ANNUAL REVIEW OF GOLD COACHING. Currently Wiren is Golf Magazine's one of America's 100 Best Teachers and Golf Digest's Top 50. HE IS ONLY ONE OF THREE PEOPLE IN BOTH THE PGA HALL OF FAME AND GOLF MAGAZINE'S WORLD GOLF TEACHERS HALL OF FAME.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Wiren has received several awards, among them The PGA of America "Teacher of the Year" in 1987, national Joe Graffis Award for educational contributions to golf from the National Golf Foundation, the LPGA's "Wind Under Wings" and Rolex Ellen Griffin award, Distinguished Service Awards from the Swedish Golf Union and Italian Golf Federation and the National Merit Award from the Golf Course Owners Association of America. He is an honorary member of the New Zealand PGA, was educational consultant for the Japanese PGA and has an honorary doctorate from Ferris State University in Michigan. He is currently the Sr. Director of Instruction at all Trump Golf Properties and is showing his gold collection at the Cornell Museum in Delray Beach, FL. under the heading: "The most unique golf exhibit in the history of the United State."
Robert S. "Bob" Baldassari, PGA
Bob Baldassari, an award-winning member of The PGA of America, is the PGA's Senior Director for Player Development at PGA of America headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Baldassari, 50, oversees the numerous player development initiatives developed by The PGA and implemented by the more than 27,000 men and women Professionals nationwide. He is also responsible for managing the operation at the 35-acre PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance, a state-of-the-art facility in Port St. Lucie, Fla., that provides industry-leading instruction and research for the golf industry.
Baldassari and his wife, Pam, reside in Palm City, Fla., with their three children.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Prior to his promotion to Senior Director for Player Development, Baldassari was general manager of PGA Village, in Port St. Lucie, from 2007-11. He was charged with leading a team of 250 at PGA Golf Club, which features 54 holes of Championship golf, by Tom Fazio and Pete Dye; the PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance; and the PGA Museum of Golf, which celebrates the rich history of The PGA of America. Under Baldassari's leadership, PGA Village, which is owned and operated by The PGA of America, was consistently ranked among the "75 Best Golf Resorts" by Golf Digest.
A second-generation PGA member, Baldassari was PGA general manager at Cannon Ridge Golf Club, in Fredericksburg, Va., where he worked for Past PGA President Gary Schaal and former PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman, from 2003-07.
Among the ground-breaking programs developed by Baldassari are the: "Streets to Fairways Program," a campaign that introduces underprivileged youth to the game of golf as a positive alternative; the "Santa's Open" annual charity golf tournament for needy children (now in its 19th year); Robert Baldassari Golf Scholarship Fund; and the creation of two Executive Women's Golf Association Chapters, one in Ocean City, Md. in 1996 and one in Fredericksburg, Va. in 2003. Baldassari was also an Advisory Committee Member for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore's (UMES) golf initiative program, which developed a golf industry curriculum into their existing academic program. This initiative eventually established UMES as the 20th college/university to offer a PGA Professional Golf Management program, and the first at a minority-based institution.
In the process, he led PGA members in gaining recognition for the critical role they play in attracting new players to the game. He is widely recognized for his innovations in grassroots growth of the game initiatives, leadership skills and communications expertise, and has offered his expertise for golf instruction programs on numerous television and radio networks and print publications.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- 2006 National PGA President's Plaque Award Winner
- Past President – Middle Atlantic PGA Section
- Past National Chair – The PGA's Communications and Public Relations Committee Past Chair – Middle Atlantic PGA Section's Communications and Public Relations Committee
- 2001 Middle Atlantic PGA Golf Professional of the Year
- 2000 Middle Atlantic PGA Section Bill Strausbaugh/Club Relations Award
- Received the keys to two cities – Frericksburg, Va., and Ocean City, Md., for his service to their communities.
- Previously appointed by the Governor of Maryland to represent the golf industry on a water advisory committee that worked to preserve and protect the environment.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Dana Garmany, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Dana Garmany has more than 30 years of industry experience developing and operating golf facilities worldwide. He has been named by both Golf Inc. and Golf Digest as one of the most powerful and influential people in golf. Garmany founded Troon in 1990, and today serves as its Chief Executive Officer. He has received numerous honors during his career including the DeKalb County Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the KPMG International Golf Forum. He also serves on boards of the National Golf Course Owners Association and the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy and holds a BS Degree in Restaurant and Hospitality Management from the University of Alabama. His leadership at Troon helped create a company that continues to lead and set standards for domestic and international daily fee, resort, and private golf courses.
Dick Bradow
Dick Bradow was elected to PGA membership in 1976 and has served as a PGA Career Consultant since 1999. From 1986-1999, Bradow was employed as PGA director of golf, Audubon Country Club, Louisville, Ky., and from 1977-1985, as head golf professional at Hillview Country Club, Franklin, Ind.
A graduate of Michigan State University, Bradow has been the recipient of numerous PGA awards including, Kentucky PGA Golf Professional of the Year, Kentucky PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award, Kentucky PGA Merchandiser of the Year and Kentucky PGA Horton Smith Award. His facility was also named one of America's 100 Best Golf Shops by "Golf Shop Operations."
Bradow has served three terms on the Kentucky PGA Section Board of Directors and was Chairman of Employment, Education, Tournament, and Long Range Planning Committees. He also served on the Indiana PGA Section Board of Directors, and was a member of the PGA National Employment Committee from 1991-1992.
Lance Gill
Lance is located in Oceanside California and Performance Director of the Titleist Performance Institute, where he, Dave Phillips and Dr. Greg Rose have created the ultimate golf experience, combining Titleist's fitting expertise with the physical attributes of your body and biomechanics of your swing to help you achieve your golf specific goals.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Lance has spent the last 13 years of his professional career devoted to the development of his golfers by implementing the teachings of human movement and athletic performance. Lance has taught around the world in over 25 countries to populations encompassing medical, fitness and golf instructors on the positive aspects of training golfers bodies to more efficiently swing the golf club and perform better on the golf course.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Utilizing Lance's expertise in computerized swing analysis, 3 dimensional biomechanics as well as his understanding of the physical attributes of the body, Lance has developed a very understandable and workable teaching approach that utilizes his background to create a clear picture of what happens in the golf swing. Lance has worked with many PGA Tour players and is available for all Titleist staff players and their coaches for consultation at the Titleist Performance Institute.
When not in California Lance travels extensively around the world conducting more than thirty seminars a year educating golf professionals, medical and fitness professionals on the body and how it relates to the golf swing. Lance also helps manage the www.mytpi.com website with over 75000 members and regularly consults with golf professionals on building better business practices through our partner Life Fitness. He is a regular on the Golf Fitness Academy.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- NATA Certified Athletic Trainer (1997 – NATABOC)
Peter M. Hill, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Peter Hill co-founded Billy Casper Golf – the full-service owner / operator of more than 140 golf properties in 28 states – in 1989 with business partner Robert Morris and PGA TOUR legend Billy Casper.
Hill oversees all aspects of the firm's holdings, which has become the owner-operator of the largest domestic portfolio of courses serving more than 1 million golfers playing more than 4.5 million rounds of golf in 2012. The firm also includes Buffalo Communications –the global golf-lifestyle public relations, branding, marketing-communications and creative services agency – for many of golf's top brands.
Buoyed by strong year-over-year, same-store operating performances (rounds and revenue) of BCG courses, Golf Inc. magazine has named Hill one of the top 10 "Most Powerful People in Golf" the past seven years, joining the likes of Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and other luminaries on the list.
Hill directs BCG's considerable investment in infrastructure resources to further bolster customer acquisition and retention: employee development, enterprise-level systems, marketing-technology platforms and more. All BCG courses adhere to "BCGreen" and are enrolled in Audubon International's "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" program for high standards protecting the environment and preserving the natural heritage of golf.
BCG is a leader in grow-the-game initiatives, launching "Golf Fore Women" – an exclusive, proprietary BCG program adapted from "Get Golf Ready" under the PGA of America's "Play Golf America" umbrella – in 2011. In 2009, BCG was named a Founding Contributor for "Get Golf Ready" and the World Golf Foundation's "GOLF 20/20: Vision for the Future" program. Hill was selected by his peers as a key executive championing the golf industry to Members of Congress during National Golf Day on Capitol Hill.
Hill's influence within the golf industry is far-reaching; he is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Golf Foundation and continues to serve on the Board of Directors of the National Golf Course Owners Association, on the PGA of America's National Employment Council and as Chairman of the Multi-Course Owners Committee of National Golf Course Owners Association. He is a past board member of Bethesda Country Club and is active on committees for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, among others. Hill is a frequent featured speaker at the PGA Annual Meeting, the National Golf Course Owners Association Annual Conference and the National Recreation and Park Association's Annual Congress.
A graduate of Georgetown University, Hill holds an MBA from Columbia University and currently holds an adjunct professor position at Georgetown teaching Strategic Sports Marketing. He is heavily involved in many non-golf charitable organizations and initiatives.
Jim Hinckley
Prior to forming Century Golf Partners, Jim Hinckley had a 32-year career with ClubCorp, Inc., serving the last seven years as President. In 2005, Jim acquired WMC, formed Century Golf Partners and together with his partners acquired two golf portfolios having in the aggregate 40 golf courses and acquired the Arnold Palmer Golf Management brand. Jim serves on many industry boards including National Golf Course Owners Association of America, American Junior Golf Association, Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA) Education and Employers Council and is a past member of the PGA. Jim is a member of World Presidents Organization (WPO). Jim serves on the boards of the St. Paul Hospital Medical Foundation and the Children's Center for Self Esteem.
Paul Metzler
Paul Metzler is the Senior Director of Marketing and Industry Relations for The PGA of America's national office in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Mr. Metzler oversee The PGA of America's marketing, licensing partner management and activation, research, and branding departments along with day to day relations with golf's allied associations and the PGA World Alliance.
Over the course of his 19 year tenure, Mr. Metzler also served as Manager of The PGA's Golf Properties department where he was responsible for asset management of PGA Golf Property ventures, management of feasibility consulting assignments involving market analysis, financial projections and development cost modeling, project due diligence, financial structuring, bid procurement, membership programming, and the development of access/use-rights for the various customer segments.
Before joining The PGA in 1992, Mr. Metzler managed a consulting practice for the firms of Laventhol & Horwath and Arthur Anderson where he specialized in market feasibility, financial modeling, membership structuring and operational consulting for public/private golf facilities, hotels, resorts, marinas/yacht clubs and various planned residential communities. Mr. Metzler is a graduate of Michigan State University and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree while majoring in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutions Management.
Gene Garrote
For Gene Garrote, the game of golf does not have an "off- season." Experience drawn from years of competitive playing in high school opened doors for what has become one of the most successful businesses in the golf industry. Gene earned a degree in business management from Florida International University and is a member of the Club Managers Association of America. Gene began his career in 1989 at American Golf Corporation, which was the largest management company at that time. He eventually rose through the ranks to become Regional Manager, overseeing more than 50 clubs in the East Coast, as far south as Florida and as far north as New York. Throughout the years, Gene acquired experience in the oversight of buying and selling properties, which helped him become a recognized leader in the golf club industry. In 2008, Gene, along with his partners, formed Celebration Golf Management. Recognized on a local and national level as being one of the fastest growing companies in the golf industry. Gene also is a co-founding member of the Orlando Golf Trail, and continues to build the CGM brand as one of the most sought after management companies. CGM's success is due to Gene's ability, sincerity, knowledge, and countless hours of dedication for the clubs and his staff. Gene's passion for the community is evident by the number of charities CGM continually supports. He is a founding member of the Robert Gamez Foundation and volunteers at Give Kids the World, as well as the local hospice house.
Greg Nathan
Greg works closely with many of the leading companies and organizations in the golf industry, supporting their respective businesses with NGF's market intelligence and proprietary resources. Working with CEO Joe Beditz, Greg is responsible for all of NGF's products and services including custom and syndicated research, industry and golfer databases, GolfSAT, demand modeling, sponsorships and consulting. He's been very involved with NGF's work on the Golf 2.0 initiative.
Greg joined the NGF in 2007 after seven years with GOLF Magazine in New York where he was Director of Client Marketing. Previous to his career in the golf industry, Greg worked in the advertising business in NY for a decade, developing brand strategy and producing advertising for brands such as Chase, MasterCard , UPS, and Nikon.
Greg earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Lehigh University, the benefits of which are often rendered useless by his 8 and 11 year old children and his dog named Ty Webb, in tribute to the greatest film ever made.
Look for Greg on WordPress and the monthly NGF Dashboard eMagazine where he writes about golf under his other name, the Mayor of Crazy Town.
Dave Phillips
Dave is located in Oceanside California and is the cofounder of the Titleist Performance Institute, where he and Dr. Greg Rose have created the ultimate golf experience, combining Titleist's fitting expertise with the physical attributes of your body and biomechanics of your swing to help you achieve your golf specific goals.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
The past eighteen years have been devoted to becoming a world-class instructor. He is one of the most sought after golf instructors in the country and is rated one of the Top 100 Teachers in the country by Golf Magazine.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Utilizing Dave's expertise in computerized swing analysis, 3 dimensional biomechanics as well as his understanding of the physical attributes of the body, Dave has developed a very understandable and workable teaching approach that utilizes his background to create a clear picture of what happens in the golf swing. Dave has worked with many PGA Tour players and is available for all Titleist staff players and their coaches for consultation at the Titleist Performance Institute.
When not in California Dave travels extensively around the world conducting more than thirty seminars a year educating golf professionals, medical and fitness professionals on the body and how it relates to the golf swing. Dave also manages the www.mytpi.com website with over 75000 members and answers fitness questions on www.pga.com as well as www.pgatour.com. He is a regular on the golf channel where he and Dr. Rose are the creators and co-hosts of The Golf Fitness Academy and has been featured in multiple sports publications such as Golf Digest, Golf Magazine and Sports Illustrated.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Class A member of the PGA of America
