Meet Our PGA Golf School Instructors

Tom was born and raised in New Jersey. After attending Jacksonville University, where he played golf, Tom turned professional at age 23. He has played in numerous professional events and has 5 wins nationally. Tom has been with VIP Golf Academy for 23 years and is the National Director of Instruction for the golf school.

Tom has studied under some of the most renowned teachers in the country, all of whom are currently ranked in the Top 100 Instructors in the USA. Besides his excellent teaching of the physical side of the golf swing, Tom has an in-depth knowledge of the psychological aspects of the game. This unique insight, coupled with strong swing fundamentals, has helped Tom do wonders for all levels of golfers. The ability to communicate in a clear, understandable manner allows the student to go home and practice properly, with the ability to self-correct when needed.

A golf school with Tom is a true learning experience and for many, a breakthrough experience in their golf career.

Eric Fitzsimmons  was born and raised in central Connecticut to a couple parents enthusiastic about academics and sports.  From a young age he was exposed to any sport that was readily available.  He excelled at soccer, basketball, and baseball, but baseball won out early on as his true passion, and he continued this passion through college.  This didn’t leave much time for golf, as the seasons are the same in Connecticut.  On the rare occasion a few times year that he did get to golf, the same bad advice everyone gets was shared, so nothing amounted from his casual play.  He always had fun with golf though, keeping a passion for it, and one summer he even made a little chip and putt course in his yard using coffee cans for cups.

He ended up heading to a small school in Lynchburg Virginia where he played baseball, and received 2 degrees, one in Computer Science, and one in Sports Management.  Shortly after finishing school, his job brought him to Las Vegas, but the same injuries that had limited his baseball opportunities prevented him from even playing casually, so he needed something to fuel his competitive nature, and golf was there to fill that void.  His passion for the game came quickly, especially with the quantity and quality of new courses available to him in the area.

He started playing and practicing more and more, but wasn’t getting much better.  He tried out a couple teachers and made changes, but nothing was really clicking, and his body was telling him that something was off.  A chance encounter with a respected employee at the course he practiced at led him to Bob Byman, and his golf world was never the same.  They clicked immediately and lessons were highly anticipated, and why wouldn’t they be going from a 20 handicap to a 6 in 3 months, then to a 3 in another 3 months, and within 1 year of his first lesson with Bob he was a scratch golfer, and had started playing some competitive events.  His body was feeling good, he kept working hard at his game, and he kept getting better with a newly learned understanding of the direction he was headed.  Within the next few years he won a number of events, and had been player of the year for the Southern Nevada Golf Association.

Towards the end of this time he had decided to pursue golf as a profession, where he could compete in tournaments, and teach the same things he learned that had changed golf for him forever.  He has a great passion for this sport, and truly enjoys helping others get better making the sport more enjoyable for them as well. This is an example of a golf success story which inspires us all.

Tony Emma is a PGA Golf professional and he has extensive experience working with golfers from all over the world. His extraordinary understanding of the golf swing allows him to teach people of all ages and skills. One of his main assets is his ability to communicate properly, clearly and to always help his students understand the corrections that would be most beneficial to improving their game.

Tony Emma is a lifetime member of the PGA, he has 30+ years of experience as a Class A PGA Professional, having given over 25,000 golf lessons and over 2000 full day golf schools, he is one of the best and most experienced golf teachers out there.

Bill Presse is a distinguished golf professional, renowned for his innovative contributions to golf equipment and his profound impact as a coach. Beginning his golf journey in the mid-70s, Bill’s foundation was built under the guidance of junior coach Manuel de la Torre at Milwaukee CC.

Since 1986, Bill has been a Master Professional Club Repairman and Fitter, offering unparalleled expertise. His passion for instruction began in 1987, and he has since delivered over 40,000 lessons, shaping countless golfers’ games. A proud graduate of the San Diego Golf Academy (Class of 1996) with double majors in Business Management and Golf Complex Operations, he also holds advanced certifications in Club Repair and Teaching Methods. Bill is a two-time PGA PAT Medalist (1996, 2005).

His professional career includes serving as Martin Chuck’s 1st Assistant at Arrowcreek CC (2004-2006) and as Director of Instruction at GolfTEC Reno (2006-2013). Since 2012, Bill has revolutionized the putting world as the Inventor, Founder, Designer, and Co-Owner of L.A.B. Golf Co. (known for Directed Force Putters and Press Putter grips). He continues his inventive spirit as the Inventor, Founder, Designer, and CEO of Fācit Golf Co. (since 2019), developing Dynamic Scoring Lines (DSL) for wedges and irons.

An active and highly sought-after putting coach, Bill works with players across the PGA Tour, Champions Tour, and Korn Ferry Tour (since 2018). Furthermore, as a Credentialed Long Drive Coach for the PLDA (Professional Long Drive Association), he has coached both male and female clients to the World Finals (since 2020), also serving as Director of Instruction and R&D.

OUR FL GOLF SCHOOLS

Born and raised in Phoenix, AZ. Zachary grew up playing baseball as it was his dad’s favorite sport. He played on multiple club teams at one time. A hip injury took him out of the game and brought him into golf. Zachary improved rapidly and quickly got addicted to this great game! By his junior year in high school, he was one of the Top 20 high school golfers in Arizona. That summer he was also a Quarter Finalist in the State Amateur. A shoulder injury took him off course to be able to get into a four year college playing golf right out of high school, so he had to pivot where he went next.

Zachary walked on to the golf team for Scottsdale Community College, and was immediately put into the starting five. By his second year, he was leading the team and had 6 straight rounds under par (5 in the 60’s). This stretch lead him to earning All-American honors, as well as earning a golf scholarship to play at California State University, Chico in northern California. It was and still is, a competitive program which really helped his game evolve. Traveling up and down California playing at that level really taught Zachary how to be mentally tough and how important the mental game is in golf.

Zachary trained and prepared for a life of living off his golf skills for six months after returned home to Phoenix. He played on the Pepsi Tour with success and made money playing golf. Shortly after turning professional, he met his wife and now has two kids. He doesn’t play competitively anymore, but now he puts that dedication and commitment into his clients through coaching. Zachary has been coaching for 7 years helping golfers of all ages and skill levels to reach their goals while finding enjoyment in the game he loves.

West Sharkey is a retired National Team Athlete from Canada with 7 years of experience coaching with National Team Programs and Professional Athletes.  West is a PGA Golf Swing Coach and TPI Athletic Therapist specializing in corrective movement patterning to tackle golf movement from all angles. West Sharkey has worked with high-performance golf programs from Highschool and D1 up to the Professional Tour Pro level helping athletes find the keys to unlock prime performance and stay injury free.

Steve grew up in the Midwest and started playing golf at an early age.  His love for the game quickly grew and he turned that passion for golf into a career. Steve has been a Class A PGA Professional since 2001. He has taught for over 26 years all over the country including time at the prestigious Jim McLean Golf Schools. Most recently, he had his own teaching business in Southern California for 20 years at different clubs serving all skill levels. During this time Steve was also a high school golf coach, Captain of a PGA Junior League, professor at a local golf college, and served on the Southern California PGA Section Board of Directors. Steve has a true desire for growing the game of golf and looks forward to helping you improve your game.  In his free time, Steve enjoys taking bucket list trips with his wife and cheering on the Green Bay Packers.

Ron Applegate is a PGA Life Member with a rich history in golf instruction and education spanning over four decades. Holding a BS in Education from Central Michigan, where he was also a member of the golf team, Ron brings a unique blend of teaching expertise and competitive experience to his instruction.

For 42 years, he shaped golfers’ skills at Lansing Community College, leading beginning, intermediate, and advanced classes. His dedication to developing talent extended to 20 years of coaching high school and college golf, earning him District and Regional coaches awards. Ron’s leadership roles include serving as Lead Instructor at Pine Lake CC (1970-1981) and Owosso CC (1982-1984), and later founding The Applegate Golf Center, where he was Lead Instructor from 1987-2006. His playing achievements include a runner-up finish in the 1983 Central Chapter Championship (Michigan Section) and winning the 2020 Super Senior Champion title (Michigan Section).

OUR FL GOLF SCHOOLS

A PGA member since 1990, John has spent the majority of his career in the great Pacific Northwest before moving to Arizona to concentrate on teaching this great game. John has been the recipient of several awards during his career including being named the PGA Chapter Teacher of the Year and Golf Professional of the Year three times. He has been the Head Professional at acclaimed clubs such as Pumpkin Ridge, and Walla Walla Country Club and developed, built, and managed Wine Valley Golf Cub. An accomplished player John has won numerous Pro-Ams, Senior, and Regular match play championships and has made playing a priority in his career and continues to do so. John has always maintained a focus on teaching, which he now dedicates himself to completely. He has also been fortunate during his career to work with some of the finest instructors in the Pacific Northwest as well as attending national PGA Teaching and Coaching Summits and Teaching Seminars. John believes in keeping the swing as simple and as athletic as possible and his passion for helping each is immediately evident with everyone he works with.

OUR AZ GOLF SCHOOLS

Charlie Bolling is an American professional golfer. Early in his career Bolling had much success, winning six significant amateur events in the mid-Atlantic region, including the 1980 Pennsylvania Amateur. Shortly after graduating from Duke University in 1981, Bolling attempted to earn membership on the PGA Tour. However, he was unsuccessful for three consecutive years at Q-school. In the interim he played overseas, culminating with a win at the 1983 South African Open. In late 1984, Bolling earned PGA Tour membership. He played on the PGA Tour for four seasons in the mid-1980s, recording four top-10s. Since 1990, Bolling has worked primarily as a Club professional and as a Golf Instructor in the northeastern United States.

Riley Fenson’s athletic career initially centered on professional curling, where he proudly represented Team USA for many years. His transition to golf was a natural one, rooted in a strong family tradition and a personal love for the game. Rather than attending college for golf, Fenson opted for a unique approach, working with a personal coach recommended by a family member. This strategic decision enabled him to participate in a greater number of tournaments, ultimately paving his way to professional status. This extensive experience provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the golf swing. Today, Riley teaches golf out of a profound passion for the sport and a genuine desire to witness his students’ success. He often highlights the parallels between golf and life, emphasizing how dedication directly translates to improvement. He is committed to helping others reach their golfing aspirations and guiding them through their learning and development.

OUR VEGAS GOLF SCHOOLS

Butch is the son of a Naval Aviator and the product of a military family, moving several times and has spent most of his adult life in Maryland. He moved to Port St Lucie in 2020 and is a full time resident of PGA Village. Butch has been a PGA Class A Member since 1983, elected to The President’s Society of the PGA in 1991, nominated for the National PGA Patriot Award in 2011 and received the MAPGA Presidents Award in 2013 for multiple years of distinguished service. Butch served as Assistant Professional at Indian Spring CC, Shannon Green Sheraton Resort, the University of Maryland Golf Course and the Chevy Chase Club, then General Manager/Head Professional for 26 years at Cedar Point Golf Course in Patuxent River, MD.  After retiring from that position Butch served as Teaching Professional at both Cedar Point, Breton Bay Golf & CC and the Golf Club at South River. Butch is an accomplished instructor, producing state high school champions and many scholarship golfers. Butch also served part time as a certified Taylormade Clubfitter. He is an experienced competitor at the local, national and global levels, winning  317 Professional Tournaments. He believes in teaching solid fundamentals in order for his students to reach their full potential. He brings a friendly, knowledgeable and positive attitude which he feels is critical to developing a successful relationship between he and his students. His hobbies are surfing and gourmet cooking.

Paula Thompson, a gifted and passionate golf instructor, has been teaching golf for over 40 years. She currently resides in Kentucky where she teaches golf at the Bardstown Country Club. She also travels to Arizona, seasonally, to teach golf at the Sedona Golf Resort and to facilitate golf schools for the VIP Golf Academy at Oak Creek Country Club. Starting in the summer of 2023, she will also be facilitating golf schools for VIP at the Bardstown Country Club in Bardstown, KY. 

A natural athlete in several sports, Paula learned to play golf when she was 14 years old. She became a local legend because of her ability to outdrive most men. She graduated from college with a BA in Fine Art form Chico State University where she played for the women’s varsity tennis team (there was no golf program available for women at that time). 

After college, she started her golf career in California at the Ojai Valley Inn as an assistant golf professional where she obtained Class ‘A’ status with the LPGA. She moved to Sedona, Arizona in 2001 and was hired to teach golf at the Sedona Golf Resort and the Oak Creek Country Club for the next 20 years. 

Officially retired in 2021, she moved to Kentucky to live near her children and grandchildren. Word spread quickly about her teaching ability. Missing her teaching career, she came out of retirement to help coach a local girl’s high school golf team and then established herself as a teaching pro at Bardstown Country Club. 

Paula has the unique ability to determine a golfer’s learning style within the first few minutes of the lesson and then applies this knowledge to help her students achieve a successful golf swing in a short amount of time. By relating the golf swing to other familiar everyday motions and activities, Paula keeps the learning process simple and does not overload the mind with excess information. A firm believer in the importance of increasing flexibility, avoiding injuries, and learning to play golf tension free, she makes learning fun and keeps her clients entertained with her golf and life analogies. 

Accomplishments: 

• LPGA Class ‘A’ status. 
• Owner/Operator of “Swing Easy Golf, Inc.” in Sedona, AZ, from 2001 until 2021. 
• Established the “Let’s Get Tee-Gether” Sunday Scrambles, a fun and unique one-of-a-kind golf tournament mixer and founded the “Naughty Niners” golf group for novice women golfers in Sedona, AZ. 

Paula is available for private instruction, seasonally, at Bardstown Country Club in Bardstown, KY, the Lebanon Country Club in Lebanon, KY, and the Sedona Golf Resort in Sedona, AZ.

Jeff LeFevre is the Director of Instruction at Twisted Dune Golf Club, bringing over 30 years of experience as the former Director of Golf at Linwood Country Club. A highly accomplished player himself, Jeff boasts multiple wins in the Philadelphia Section PGA. He believes golf instruction should be individually tailored to each student, moving beyond generic theories to create a personalized path for improvement. Jeff is dedicated to ensuring that golfers of all abilities receive the instruction best suited to their needs, always prioritizing the student’s enjoyment as the foundation for true progress.

Paul was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia. After moderate success as an amateur, Paul turned Professional in 1989 and played various tours throughout the world. Paul has won a number of Professional events with his lowest competitive round being 62. On the recommendation of friend Chip Beck, three time Ryder Cup player, Paul ventured to the USA in 1992 to take instruction from Hank Haney. In 1995 he started teaching for Hank and by 1999 was one of the head golf operators for Hank Haney Golf, Inc. While working for Hank he assisted in building Hank Haney Headquarters in Lewisville, Texas. Paul has also been a student of Jim Hardy since 1995. Paul credits both Hank Haney and Jim Hardy as having the biggest influence on his playing and teaching. In 2005 Paul and his wife relocated to the Northeast to be closer to family. He was hired as the Head Golf Professional at the Philadelphia Cricket Club. While at the Cricket Club he conducted regular teaching seminars to fellow Golf Professionals. In 2006 nearby Meadowlands Country Club hired him as their Head Golf Professional. Paul and his wife started the Barnsley Golf Academy to promote golf through player development initiatives. In April 2009 they moved further north to a wonderful opportunity at Race Brook Country Club. He was the sixth golf professional in the club’s 100 year history until the end of 2021 when he relocated to Port St Lucie, Florida. Paul is a Life Member of the PGA of America and a great addition to the VIP Golf Schools.

Eric Egy’s love of golf began at age 10. He played on the golf team at La Canada High School, in Los Angeles California. Having a successful high school career, Eric finished second in the State Championship. Afterward, he attended Cal State University in Los Angeles and played on the golf team for 4 years winning 3 college tournaments during that time. Upon completion of college, he turned pro in 1983. From 1983 to 1994 he played various tours including Canadian, South American, Asian, European, and U.S. tours.

Eric began instructing both private and group lessons after his 11-year touring career. Eric started at Doug Ford’s La Cuna Golf Club in Lake Worth Florida from 1994 to 1997. He then returned to LA where he worked and instructed at La Canada Country Club and Brookside Golf Club until moving to famed Palm Springs, the “golf capital” of California. For 13 years he taught at O’Donnell Golf Club, becoming one of the most sought-after and premiere golf coaches in the desert.

Jonathan Liss has been playing golf since he could walk. He started competitive junior golf at the age of seven and continued competitive play through high school. After college, he returned to his hometown of Phoenix, Arizona to compete professionally. Jonathan spent several years playing on the Outlaw and Golden State Tours. He also traveled as far as Thailand to compete in the Asia Tour Qualifier. While playing, he acquired a wealth of knowledge of the game, swing mechanics and equipment. Jonathan makes the swing and the game easily relatable to things you are already familiar with. He has a passion to help you improve your game, lower your scores and make your time on the golf course more enjoyable.

Will Walters, a Professional Golf Coach, hails from South Florida and began his golf journey at the age of nine. Self-taught from the start, he immersed himself in Jack Nicklaus’ Golf My Way and Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons—books his father gave him with the simple instruction to practice diligently.

Over the years, Will honed his skills on South Florida’s mini-tour circuits while independently coaching players in the Palm Beaches. His dedication and expertise earned him a reputation as one of South Florida’s premier golf coaches. Now, with over 25 years of experience and more than 20,000 lessons taught, Will combines scientific principles with proven tour player techniques to help each student develop a repeatable, personalized golf swing.

Coaching at the picturesque Oaks National Golf Club in the heart of Orlando, Florida, Will Walters continues to share his passion for golf, helping players of all levels elevate their game.

David Curtis turned professional after leading his college team to a California State Championship in 2004. He has honed his instruction skills over the years with many hours of golf schools, lessons, and junior programs. Current certifications: Class A PGA Teaching Professional, PGA.Coach, PGA H.O.P.E, Golf Digest Schools, Advantage Golf Schools, Callaway Club Fitter, and True Temper. David has taught with some of the finest instructors in the country, and is excited about passing along his knowledge to his students.

David is also an accomplished player who has won seven local PGA section tournaments:

• 2016 PGA Desert Chapter Player of the Year
• 2016 PGA Desert Chapter Assistant’s Championship
• 2017 PGA Desert Chapter Assistant Professional of the Year
• 2018 PGA Desert Chapter Associate Player of the Year
• 2019 PGA Desert Chapter Junior Golf Development Leader
• 2020 PGA Desert Chapter Professional Development of the Year
• 2021 GRAA Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professionals
• 2022 PGA Desert Chapter Teacher/Coach of the Year

Joal is the mother of 3 amazing daughters. All played golf at Michigan State and 1 finished her career at Florida Southern College. Joal grew up in Charlotte, NC where she played on the all men’s golf team in High School. Her family moved her to Florida so that she could continue training all year round. Joal attended Auburn University where she played on the golf team for 4 years, winning multiple tournaments, and was selected as a two time All SEC and All American honoree. After graduating from Auburn in 1990, Joal represented the USA during the World Cup Tournament in France, finishing 2nd individually. Following the competition, Joal qualified for the LPGA Tour and played three years full time. Unfortunately, injuries led to a shortened playing career. When on the LPGA Tour Joal received golf instruction from the very best in the world, including David Leadbetter, Mike Bender, Jim McLean and Gene Thompson. She now uses those experiences as well as her commitment to learn more everyday and assisting her in teaching students to enjoy the process to reach and surpass their goals. Joal uses many tools in her bag since each student has a unique swing. One size, or training method does not fit all. She works with students strengths and minimizes less than optimal movements by creating new and more efficient ones. We, at VIP Golf Academy are excited to have Joal on our Instructional Staff.

Ryan’s unique background as a teacher began at an early age. He started giving lessons at the age of 16 in his hometown in upstate New York. Now, 20 years later he has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience that has made him one of the best teachers in Southern Nevada. He was the recipient of the PGA Southern Nevada Chapter’s 2023 Youth Player Development Award, is a three-time nominee for PGA Teacher of the Year, and was a finalist for Golf Digest’s top 100 Best Young Instructors. Ryan has taught thousands of students from all over the world, ranging from professional golfers to high-level juniors, beginners to advanced, casual golfers to competition-level athletes. His wide range of instructional skills and immersive education background allow him to adapt to any level of golfer and create an educational program fit to that golfer’s specific needs.

Ryan is a golf performance coach who specializes in motor control and learning, as well as biomechanics. Some of his other areas of focus include ground mechanics, statistics, course management, power, long-term athletic development, and short game. His ability to translate any information, no matter how complex, to the student in a way that is easy to understand is something that his students always admire and appreciate.

He has an incredible passion for learning and is constantly striving to provide his students with the best, most accurate, and up-to-date information to help them become the best possible golfers they can be.

David C. Smith Jr. Certified PGA Member Since 1997 David has been a member of The Professional Golfer’s Association of America, in 2013 David completed The First Tee Coach Certification and in 2014 was Certified in General Management with the PGA. As a native of Philadelphia David graduated from Methodist University with a B.S. in Golf Management. Working locally in the Philadelphia area David has been affiliated with many fine golf facilities including the historic Atlantic City Country Club and famed Yardley Country Club. In 2009 a calling to help young people through golf changed David’s career path when he became the Program Director for The First Tee of Greater Philadelphia at Walnut Lane Golf Course. David led the program’s development which positively affected 2,500 students annually. With over 20 years of golf instructional experience, David’s expertise in golf swing knowledge comes from extensive reading, classroom training, and thousands of hours in practical lesson tee experience,as well as extensive tournament play. David’s passion for golf has led him to instruct an expansive mix of players from expert to entry-level and he has been a dedicated coach to blind golfers in the Mid-Atlantic Blind Golfers Association for 20 years. David’s coaching philosophy for student success: “Make learning, concise, fun, and engaging for all students”. In 2012, David was awarded PGA Section Presidents Plaque for Player Development and was on the Junior Golf Committee for the Philadelphia PGA Section.

Prior to moving to Port St. Lucie in 2024, Scott split his adult life between Texas and Georgia. He attended West Georgia University to compete on the golf and basketball teams before transferring to the University of Georgia for his sophomore year to compete on the golf team. As an Amateur, he competed in the North South Championship, the US Amateur, and the British Amateur Golf Championships.

Scott has been a PGA Class A member for over 30 years, and has competed on the PGA Tour, European PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, and many other professional tours, winning numerous events, including the Southern Texas PGA Match Play Championship, and So. Texas PGA Assistants Chapter and Section Championships.

His association with PGA Hall of Famer and former Masters and PGA Champion, Jackie Burke Jr., molded Scott’s playing and teaching career. He served as Burkedale’s first Golf Professional/Director of Instruction for the Burke family, who owned the Club in Kingwood, Texas. Scott moved on from Burkedale to become the Director of Golf at The Deerwood Club and The Clubs of Kingwood, both in Kingwood, Texas, just north of Houston. In 2002, Scott moved back to Atlanta, Georgia to become the Director of Golf at Eagles Landing CC, and later served as Director of Golf at The Standard Club and Heritage Golf Links, all in the Atlanta area.

Scott’s teaching philosophy is based on the belief that all players approach the game of golf and the golf swing differently and that there is no one “method” that works for all. However, there are certain fundamentals that may be improved within the framework of most players’ current golf swings, regardless of ability, which can make an immediate, positive impact on their golf game.

Josh Mattox’s golf journey began at the tender age of 12. His grandfather first introduced him to the swing of a club, practicing in the wash next to their Lake Havasu home. A single, clean hit with a driver was all it took to ignite his passion for the game. From that moment on, golf became his obsession, laying the foundation for a lifelong love affair with the sport.

Fast forward to high school, where he discovered another passion: teaching. Influenced by inspiring mentors, he developed a deep love for education and the desire to impart knowledge to others. This led him to pursue an associate’s degree in education, but a career opportunity interrupted his academic path.

Despite spending two decades in production, he never truly felt fulfilled. This ultimately led him back to golf and his true calling: coaching. The joy of witnessing someone’s growth, improvement, and success is what truly drives him as a coach.

Dedicated to empowering golfers of all levels, he aims to unlock their full potential on the course. Together, they can embark on a journey of growth, success, and lifelong learning. He looks forward to helping each golfer reach their individual potential through personalized coaching, recognizing that every swing is unique. Swinging towards a better golf game, one lesson at a time.

Ben Sloan is a dedicated golf instructor who believes in a personalized approach to improvement. He works with students to identify ball flight patterns and issues, then develops a tailored plan to refine their swing, optimize ball flight, and ultimately lower scores. Recognizing that “no one size fits all,” Ben emphasizes consistent, efficient practice, personalized coaching, and a specific game plan. He is committed to helping golfers achieve their desired goals through correct and effective practice habits. Ben is available for in-person coaching at Tot Hill Farm in Asheboro.

Awards/Certifications: Team Callaway Staff Member, BodiTrak Pressure Mat Certified, Capto Putting Level 1 Certification, 2020 Operation 36 Top 50 Coach, 2019 & 2022 Nominated Golf Digest Best Teachers in South Carolina.

OUR NC GOLF SCHOOLS

Jake Reiff is a 28-year-old golf professional with a remarkable career shaped by both his playing experience and a passion for coaching. Raised in Lake Oswego, Oregon, Jake established himself early on with a highly successful junior and amateur career, highlighted by three consecutive top-3 finishes in the Oregon 6A State Championship, earning him three 1st Team All-State honors and a spot on the prestigious 2013 Hogan Cup team.

After turning professional in 2015, Jake continued to excel on the course, securing three consecutive top-3 finishes at the North Portland Open and a solo 4th place at the Karsten Invitational. These competitive experiences provided him with a deep understanding of the golf swing, encompassing both its mental and physical facets.

Under the guidance of his coaches, Jake developed a strong ability to effectively and efficiently communicate with students. He now dedicates himself to providing his students with the essential tools and knowledge for long-term success and consistency in their own golf journeys.

Trenton Terry is a top-tier performance golf coach at the VIP Golf Academy in Scottsdale, Arizona, celebrated for his elite-level expertise and transformative instruction that propels golfers to championship form.

Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, Trenton developed his passion for golf amid the desert’s challenging courses. After turning professional, he trained under renowned instructor George Gankas for several years, mastering biomechanics, mental resilience, and strategic play, foundations that define his innovative coaching style.

Trenton’s five-year stint on the professional tour honed his skills against the world’s best, delivering clutch performances and deep insights into high-stakes competition. Transitioning to teaching, he spent the last four years instructing across the U.S., from Florida’s resorts to California’s academies, using advanced tools and launch monitors to unlock peak performance for his students. 

At the VIP Golf Academy, Trenton delivers personalized, data-driven programs that blend physical, mental, and tactical training, making him a great choice to take your game to new levels.

Jon Stanley is a 35 year member of the PGA of America and VIP Golf Academy staff member.  Jon began his career in golf as an Assistant Professional, Head Golf Professional, Teaching Professional, and Director of Instruction, all while maintaining a highly rewarding playing career.  Highlighted by wins at the 1988 Kentucky PGA Assistant Professional Championship, 1991 Maryland State Open, and the 2011 Southwest PGA Championship. Jon has also played in two US SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS (2009, 2016), twice been Southwest Section Senior Player of the Year (2008, 2010), and appeared in numerous National PGA Club Professional Championships (Assistant, PNC, Senior PNC).

Jon began to concentrate on teaching full-time in 1998, beginning with American Golf Learning Centers, which evolved into Nike Golf Learning Centers.  Being one of the seven original instructors for these programs, Jon served as Director of Instruction at two of their locations. In 2009, Jon became a member of the John Jacobs staff and served as Director of Instruction for their Scottsdale site at Legend Trail Golf Club.  Jon’s major teaching philosophy can be described as “analyze-demonstrate-correct”,  using teaching aids if necessary to help the student better understand how to fix his(her) faults.

Time spent working on your game with Jon is a rewarding and enjoyable experience for all levels of golfers.

Trevor is a U.S. Military Veteran and PGA Golf Professional. Trevor combines discipline, passion, and experience to help golfers of all skill levels improve their game. He has a unique communication skill that allows for clear and concise instruction without confusion or overcomplicated language.

An accomplished Collegiate Golfer, Trevor still loves to keep his game sharp and still plays competitively. Trevor’s dedication to studying the golf swing rubs off on his students and provides an excellent learning experience.

Trevor’s teaching philosophy focuses on the fundamentals of the swing and overall performance, providing schools that are tailored to each golfer’s needs. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, Trevor’s goal is to help develop a consistent, confident swing that is repeatable and reliable.

Colton Servis is a TPI Certified Golf, Junior, and Fitness Professional. His mission is to help golfers of all skill levels optimize their game with personalized instruction, practical course strategies, and biomechanics based on how your body wants to move.

Golf has been a lifelong passion for Colton. Born and raised in Flagstaff, Arizona, he competed at the collegiate level and graduated from the University of Hawaii at Hilo with a degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. After returning to Flagstaff, Colton continued to compete until transitioning to teaching full time in 2025.

His coaching approach starts with looking at mobility and stability, which identifies any physical limitations affecting your golf swing. This allows for a golf swing to be designed around your unique movement patterns, ensuring every change is both achievable and effective.

Drew Macpherson is a highly accomplished golf professional with over 25 years of coaching experience. He has worked at some of the game’s most respected teaching institutions, including the Jim McLean Golf Schools, and is teaching with VIP Golf Academy currently based at River Hills Country Club in Valrico, Florida.

Drew has coached golfers at every level of the game, from beginners and intermediate players to junior golfers, club champions, and NCAA champions. His experience includes working with elite collegiate athletes as well as competitive juniors preparing for the next level.

Known for his fun, energetic, and motivating coaching style, Drew emphasizes the importance of solid fundamentals, efficient training methods, and purposeful practice habits. He believes that understanding how to train and how to practice is the key to unlocking consistent improvement and taking performance from the range to the course.

Drew specializes in short game, full swing development, and—most notably—helping players translate their range game into real on-course. Whether you’re just starting out or striving to compete at a higher level, Drew is dedicated to helping you play better golf the right way.

With two decades in the golf industry, PGA member Jonathan Dudley has taught more than 14,000 lessons, helped more than 437 clients post the best rounds of their lives, and steered several young golfers toward collegiate scholarships. Jonathan provides a dynamic, engaging experience for all skill levels and age groups and offers group instruction and individual lessons.

After capturing a golf national championship and finishing as a First Team All-American at Greensboro College, Jonathan played professional golf for several years before turning his attention to his passion for fostering a mastery of the game in others. He was the Golf Course Manager at The Valley Golf Course (formerly Indian Valley) in Burlington; Head Golf Professional at Mill Creek Golf Club in Mebane; and certified Personal Coach and Manager at GolfTEC Glenwood in Raleigh. He started his career in Greensboro as Youth Program Director for Robert Linville Precision Golf School; was Tour Director for Peggy Kirk Bell Girls Golf Tour; and was Tournament Director and Head of Programming for the Triad Youth Golf Foundation.

Jan’s relationship with golf began at age 5 when her dad cut down an old 7-iron and let her hit tennis balls in the backyard.  She enrolled in the Lansing Publinx (public links) program and grew up playing and competing on City of Lansing, MI, municipal golf courses.

She was captain of the very first Waverly High School girls’ golf team in 1979 and went on to play college golf for Coach Mary Fossum on the Michigan State University Women’s Golf Team from 1980 to 1984.

Jan joined the LPGA in 1999 and was an Assistant Professional and Teaching Professional at several Lansing area courses.

In 2006, she formed her own LLC golf school and began teaching at DeWitt Golf Center, DeWitt, MI

In 2007, Jan developed and began teaching an MSU Education Abroad program at the St. Andrews Links Trust and the University of St. Andrews in St. Andrews, Scotland.  The non-credit golf experience included links style shot making blended with classroom lectures on how to use golf in business.  The education abroad program was so well received by students that the Eli Broad College of Business asked her to create and teach a 3-credit elective class on how to use golf in business.

In 2009 Jan joined the MSU Eli Broad College of Business faculty, and the first BUS 491 Using Golf in Business class was offered.  The popular one-of-a-kind class taught the intricacies of business golf including USGA rules and golf etiquette; the many forms of business golf; developing a business golf strategy; how to be a good business golf host and guest; business golf conversation strategies; interpreting body language; business golf behavioral psychology elements; cultural; international; gender; ethical and generational considerations found in business golf and BUSINESS GOLF etiquette.

In the fall of 2018, BUS 491 Using Golf in Business transitioned to a 3-credit specialized elective class in The School of Hospitality Business and was converted to HB 420 The Business of Golf.  In addition to HB 420, Jan developed and is teaching HB 425 Golf Operations and Management for students interested in pursuing a career in the golf industry.

In 2024, Jan received the honor of being named an LPGA Life Member.

In 2025, after a 16-year absence, Jan returned to high school coaching as the Head Coach of the DeWitt girls’ golf team and Player Development Coach of the DeWitt boys’ golf team.

Christopher Miller is thrilled to serve the VIP Golf Academy at Greenbrier Golf & Country Club. As a PGA Class A Member and graduate of Eastern Kentucky University’s PGM program, Chris has dedicated his career to honing his craft at top teaching facilities. This experience has shaped his commitment to providing a premier golf experience for every player, regardless of ability.

Chris’s approach to instruction is built on the belief that there is no one-size-fits-all swing. He focuses on creating a personalized blueprint for each student by blending fundamental mechanics with modern technology. He strives to simplify the technical aspects of the game so players can compete with more confidence, lower their scores, and truly enjoy their time on the golf course.

A golf school session with Chris provides students with a new understanding of their swing in a way that is both understandable and repeatable.

Mike Newell is a lead instructor for VIP Golf Academy, located at Harbor Pines Golf Club in southern New Jersey. A lifelong student of the game, Mike has been involved in golf from an early age and competed at the collegiate level in his home state.

Over the past several years, Mike has served as an instructor at the New Jersey Academy of Golf, where he trained and mentored under respected Golf Professional Bruce Chelucci. He is also the assistant coach for the women’s golf team at Stockton University, where he helps develop competitive players and supports team training.

Mike is passionate about teaching, and he communicates effectively at all skill levels to improve their performance, build confidence, and a strong foundation for lasting success.

Eric DeKarski is a former Division I golfer, golf instructor, and nationally followed coach dedicated to helping players build predictable, repeatable ball striking.

A competitor at Florida Atlantic University, Eric set a course record of 65 at The Polo Club in South Florida and posted the 5th lowest tournament score in program history. His playing experience at a high level directly shapes a coaching philosophy rooted in simplicity, clarity, and measurable results.

With over 225,000 followers across social platforms, Eric’s mission is to simplify golf instruction and make structured, system-based coaching accessible to everyday players. He delivers daily drills, performance insights, and practice frameworks designed to eliminate guesswork and accelerate improvement.

His coaching method focuses on how each golfer learns, combining structured systems with individualized feedback to create consistent ball striking and lasting improvement. This approach has helped golfers ranging from beginners to competitive amateurs gain confidence, control, and repeatability in their game.

With over 26 years of professional instructional experience, Cory Sheldon brings a wealth of competitive success, high-level coaching, and refined teaching expertise to VIP Golf Academy in Fort Myers, Florida.

Cory’s journey in golf began at age twelve, rapidly evolving into an elite junior career. He competed in top-tier American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) events and earned back-to-back appearances in the prestigious USGA Junior Amateur Championship in 1996 (Forest Highlands Golf Club) and 1997 (Aronimink Golf Club), advancing to match play in both. He went on to play collegiate golf for the University of North Carolina Wilmington before competing professionally for two years on the Cleveland Tour.

Throughout his career, Cory has trained under some of the industry’s most respected PGA and LPGA professionals—including Patsy Hahn, LPGA; Doug Frazier, PGA; Dave Schueck, PGA; Dave Seeman, PGA; and the team at the Eric MacLuen Golf Academy. Prior to establishing his independent golf school in Florida, Cory served as the Assistant Coach for the Wilmington University NCAA Division II men’s golf team from 2018 to 2019.

Cory’s teaching philosophy centers on fundamental precision and accessible mechanics. By focusing on proper set-up fundamentals and how the body naturally powers the golf swing, he translates complex movement principles into clear, actionable concepts. His dynamic approach enables golfers of all skill levels to achieve rapid performance improvements and long-term consistency.

Cory resides in Fort Myers, Florida, with his wife and daughter, where he directs full-time player development for VIP Golf Academy.

Oswald is a Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame member and joins VIP Golf as a longtime PGA member with 25 years of teaching experience.

His playing experience includes a US Open and other PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour events.

“Os” also helped develop the Accelerized Instruction system, including the patented Hotlines technology.  This experience will help you understand the necessary fundamentals and provide a clear understanding of what swing improvements would be most beneficial.

Oswald’s patience and expertise will help you learn to apply these core fundamentals and set you on the path for long-term success.

With more than 40 years of elite coaching experience, Brian Calhoun brings a proven, championship-level pedigree to VIP Golf Academy’s Scottsdale location.

A former Lead Instructor with the Dave Pelz Scoring Game Schools, Brian created the Clarity Golf™ and Pure Reaction Putting™ systems based on a fundamental insight: most golfers lack clarity, not ability. His instruction simplifies complex mechanics into instinctual, repeatable execution, freeing players to perform with complete conviction under pressure.

Brian’s track record speaks across every tier of competitive golf. Over four decades, his students have captured national junior championships, NCAA titles, professional tour victories, and the prestigious Western Amateur Championship.

A session with Brian delivers far more than standard swing tips—it is a transformative, goal-shattering training experience engineered to elevate every dimension of your game.

OUR AZ GOLF SCHOOLS