Early Life

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I entered this world in Corpus Christi, Texas, arriving as the second of four children and fortunate to be part of a twin duo. At the age of 10, my family relocated to the outskirts of Denver, Colorado, to a charming suburb known as Broomfield. My upbringing was colored by the presence of my father, an ex-athlete turned coach, who introduced me to a rich tapestry of sports including baseball, basketball, soccer, and golf. While my heart yearned for football, my parents gently steered me away from it, citing my "late bloomer" status back in sixth grade. Throughout middle school, baseball and basketball captured my affection.

 

High School and College

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Transitioning into high school, I grappled with the challenge of competing against peers who had embraced growth spurts ahead of me. My basketball aspirations were thwarted after a fruitless freshman tryout, and a subsequent injury curtailed much of my baseball season. It was during this time that I found solace on the high school golf team, as golf nestled comfortably between baseball and basketball seasons. While I managed to consistently outperform my two closest friends, my golf prowess was modest, with a scoring average of 105 during that season. Following a disheartening baseball experience, I felt a sense of burnout and, at the age of 15, I made a conscious decision to wholeheartedly dedicate myself to golf throughout my remaining high school years. By the time I reached my senior year, my average score had impressively dropped to 74, and I secured the prestigious title of #1 League Medalist for the Skyline League. This accomplishment paved the way for a golf scholarship to Fort Lewis College, where I became an integral part of the golf team.

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Journey into the Golf Industry

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Upon crossing the threshold of graduation, I made a resolute choice to transform my passion for golf into a lifelong career. I embarked on an immersive journey into the business facets of golf, beginning as an Assistant Golf Professional at King's Crossing Country Club. Fortunate to find a guiding light in my Head Golf Professional, Val D'Souza, I was exposed to every facet of golf operations, even securing my inaugural "paid" lesson. Enrolling in the PGA golf management apprentice program marked the commencement of my path to becoming a PGA Member. After 1.5 years of learning under Val's mentorship, I was nudged from the nest and encouraged to explore golf operations across the nation. This led me to Kohler, Wisconsin, where I had the distinct privilege of working at the world-renowned Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits. Here, my passion for teaching found fertile ground as I absorbed wisdom from esteemed instructors such as Ji Kim, David Armitage, David Alrbecht, and Todd Wagner. I also orchestrated Golf Summer Camps for the Sheboygan Parks and Recreation, all while harboring dreams of becoming a Head Golf Professional. After three transformative years in Wisconsin, destiny guided me back to Colorado, where I assumed the role of 1st Assistant Professional at Deer Creek Golf Club. Unfortunately, the 2008 recession shook our golf course owner's stability, leading to staff reductions and my eventual departure from the golf industry. This forced me to temporarily pivot into odd jobs for survival, acquainting myself with house painting, carpet cleaning, and property damage remediation.

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In the midst of this challenging period, I was presented with numerous interviews for golf-related positions, but my qualifications often rendered me "overqualified." In 2010, a six-month contract at GOLFTEC Headquarters brought a glimmer of hope. This opportunity eventually led me to Dallas, Texas, where I spent almost two enriching years interacting with esteemed teachers and a remarkable Regional Manager named Erik Wait. Fueled by my competitive spirit and an unyielding thirst for growth, I ascended to the position of Director of Instruction at a nascent GOLFTEC location in Pleasant Hill, California, in 2012. The subsequent eight years unfolded as a mosaic of milestones: marriage, the joy of parenthood with the birth of our daughter, homeownership, and the prestigious achievement of becoming a Class A PGA member in 2014. Amidst these personal victories, I navigated the tumultuous waters of the Golfsmith bankruptcy, subsequent liquidation, and the rebranding of our facility into a Golf Galaxy, all the while honing my leadership skills, resilience, and unwavering commitment to providing exceptional customer service.

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What's Next?

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Following a decade of shaping golfing experiences through 15,000 lessons imparted, I yearned for greater horizons. The beginning of 2021 saw me embarking on an Executive Master of Business Administration program at Saint Mary's College, culminating in a Summa Cum Laude graduation in December 2022. Alongside this academic pursuit, I attained a Project Management Certification from Cornell University in August 2022, underscoring my commitment to continuous growth and diversification of skills.

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In my current role, I find myself at the heart of Client Success with teesnap, a remarkable software company that extends its services to golf courses all across the United States. Each day, I have the pleasure of contributing to the success of these courses, helping them navigate the modern technological landscape to enhance the golfing experience for all enthusiasts. As I reflect on this remarkable journey, I am poised to embrace the future with optimism, resilience, and an unquenchable thirst for new challenges and accomplishments. 

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