GOLF LESSONS

Joe, a graduate of the Professional Golf Management Program at Ferris State University has been a PGA Professional since joining Carl’s Golfland in 1988. Joe is a U.S. Kids Golf Certified Instructor Level 2 and was selected one of the top 50 youth coaches by U.S Kids golf in 2023. He has been Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Certified since 2007. TPI is the world’s leading authority in golf health, fitness, junior development, biomechanics and coaching education. Joe's TPI Certification also includes: TPI Junior and Golf Level 3 and TPI Power and Fitness Level 2. He is also a certified Adaptive Golf Instructor and Trackman Certified Professional. Joe has given thousands of private lessons to golfers of all ages and skill levels. Joe reminds all of his players that “Golf is a game, thus it is meant to be enjoyed.”

Gene became an assistant professional in 1983 and gained his PGA Class A professional status in 1988. He was worked at some of Michigan’s finest golf establishments in his 27+ years as an instructor and golf professional: Treetops, Bay Pointe, Links at Pinewood, Eldorado and the Lynx GC. Gene has earned many accolades in his career including 1998 Michigan PGA Golf Professional of the Year and was named Top 20 golf instructors in Michigan by Golf Digest in 2000 and 2001. Gene believes in teaching the basic fundamentals of the game and keeps the lessons simple and fun. He stresses that as our body changes we must adapt those changes to our swing in order to keep the game enjoyable.

Tom has 25+ years of teaching experience and has been a PGA member since 1995. He has been recognized by Golf Digest as a Top Teacher in Michigan. Tom played for the Michigan State golf team prior to stints on the Australian, Canadian, Nationwide and Asian Tours. He played in the PGA Tour’s Buick Open in 1998 and 2003, and won the 1993 Canadian PGA. He was also named the Michigan PGA Player of the Year in 1997 and 2002, and has won the Michigan PGA Championship, the Tournament of Champions and the Michigan PGA Match Play Championship twice. In 2017 he qualified and played in the U.S. Senior Open and was inducted into the Michigan PGA Hall of Fame. In 2018 he was inducted into the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame. Tom is also very proud of the accomplishments of his three daughters who have carried on his legacy as members of the Michigan State Women’s Golf Team.

Olivia is a Class A PGA member and a graduate of Ferris State University’s PGA Golf Management program. She was also a member of Ferris State women’s golf team and continues to stay competitive in Michigan section events. Upon graduating from Ferris, Olivia was the assistant coach and strength and conditioning coach at Shattuck St. Mary’s Golf Center of Excellence in Faribault, Minnesota. She was also the head golf professional at Legacy Golf on SSM’s campus where she ran the junior golf program as well as the Legacy Golf Academy; a public academy for all skill levels. Olivia focuses on the key fundamentals of the golf swing and believes in the athleticism of her students rather than teaching one specific golf swing and believes in the repetition of drills to build confidence in her students. Olivia has experience with beginner players of all ages as well as elite junior players that have gone on to play at the NCAA level and beyond.

Jimmy became a Class A PGA professional in June of 2020. He is a graduate of the Ferris State University PGM program. Upon graduation, Jimmy became an assistant golf professional at multiple clubs in North Florida. He has educated students of all skill levels on the game of golf. He ran junior golf programs and member clinics. Most recently, he was a Regional Manager for TrackMan Range, covering the Southeast U.S. He is Level 1 & 2 TrackMan certified. Jimmy played in many section events in the North Florida PGA, and looks to continue his playing career in the Michigan section. Jimmy's teaching philosophy is that each individual student has their own process of learning and understanding new information - instilling confidence and self belief builds a strong foundation for all players, regardless of skill level.