Two-time OHSAA Football state champion (St. Ignatius HS, Cleve., OH), All-state baseball/D1 baseball--Kent State, NAIA World Series back to back (Cumberland University, two year starter SS/CF), professional baseball--Euclid Admirals--Great Lakes League, 45 year veteran and scratch golfer, also ran indoor track, have competed in triathlon, MTB/road cycling races, bicycle courier in LA/Nashville, certified NFPT personal trainer/ nutritionist. Certified in Bak Fu Pai Qigong/ Kung Fu (Brentwood, CA--White Tiger) and certified yoga instructor (Earth's Power Yoga, LA, CA) and 27 years teaching (Santa Monica Power Yoga, Aanand Saagar-first American teacher to teach meditation for Arvind Chittumala who has gone on to produce a feature about yoga in America and still teaches in LA, Disney Feature Film Animation Building, Burbank, CA--first and possibly only ever yoga teacher to teach the Animation Artists).

Chuck Kyle, St. Ignatius Head Football Coach. He was the most intelligent, most inspiring, most compassionate coach who knew how to get the most out of everyone, everyday and never made anything boring. He knew how to bring us up when we were down, how to keep us humble when we were up, and taught us what sportsmanship was. Even if we were decimating a team by 75 points (that actually happened) he kept us under control and taught us how to be respectful. Part of the athlete and person I am is because of Chuck Kyle.

I have played golf all my life. I chose not to play competitively until now. That is why I have decided to coach as well. I put more time into my swing, my equipment, and my putting and short game skills than anyone I know. I still believe that I can get a pro card and am overcoming a torn labrum (a seventy degree SLAP tear that happened in 2017) that I not only refused surgery on but played through and still carried a sub 4 GHIN HCP. I am very passionate about not only playing the game, but playing the game to the highest level possible. I try to improve my game every time I practice, putt, or play a round. I also know that your body is a huge part of your game. I consider it your most important tool. I learned many different things along my path. Having experience in many different career paths from being a stuntman and stunt driver in Los Angeles, where I also dedicated myself to continuing my education on the Eastern ways of martial arts, qigong, yoga, and meditation have shaped who I am. I also studied the background of these different arts and sciences and taught yoga professionally for almost 25 years. I still practice all of it and incorporate into all my lessons and sessions and even my rounds. I have been told by many of my peers that when I am fully healthy I will be "scary." I shot my first under par round in about 10 years this past year. On June 10, 2023 I had the first and only ever Albatross in the two man scramble at Nashville National (been ongoing for about 10 years). I hit the drive down the middle of the hill to 119 yards and one hop stopped and gap wedge into the hole. My goal is to be the best amateur (senior) player by 2025. I would like to bring as many people with me along for the ride.

I have never coached at a school but I have taught almost everyday on muni's (golf courses) in Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, and Tennessee my entire life. I have a few local high school players that I work with and play with and now a 19 year old son of a former pro and have also started working and helping a former Open winner's son.

I can say from experience that I have played with many many people over the years and many that have quit, come back, quit again, and even quit during a round they were playing with me (not because of ME!!!!)...and I know that as much as the game of golf can bring joy and prizes and skins and closest to pins and historic shots...it can make you want to walk away for good. It is the epitome of life. You have to be patient, dedicated, determined... but also know how to see the humor and the beauty of failure. A ball may ricochet off a tree and roll right back to you. It is the next shot that I live for. I love pressure. I love challenges. I love playing in the rain. I love practicing in 28 degree weather. I have caddied at Golf Club of Tennessee and play with guys that use equipment that even a pawn shop would turn away. Experience in the world of golf is worth its weight in gold. You cannot show me a shot that I haven't tried and if I haven't then I have probably tried something close. I can give everyone I meet a new way of looking at things and a new thought to apply to any situation. You never know what you are going to get. But there isn't a person that I can't connect with. Improving your game is improving your attitude. Improving your flexibility, your strength, your mental abilities like concentration and knowing when to be courageous and when to be safe.

Warming up. I like to joke around and teach the 30 second version of (and imitate) Miguel Angel Jimenez's warm up (minus the cigar). He is one of my favorite players. But stretching and doing what I call the "golf yoga poses" such as triangle (trikonasana) and others prasarita padottanasana (which honestly M.A.J. really is doing modified yoga) take only a few minutes and insures that you will not injure yourself or your back, knees, ankles or shoulders. Then we would talk about the shots that are the hardest. I always focus on shots that I have trouble with. Work on those. Always start with basic movements and what I call the "pieces of the swing" as famously demonstrated by Ben Hogan almost every time he was on television or a talk show (the 3 o-clock to 9 0-clock) and short chips and knock down pitches to get the center face contact going (Ricky Fowler). I like to start with some short iron shots and then move through long irons and finally woods and driver. Putting can be honestly its entire own lesson. But I like to make sure that students understand that distance control is number one. Learning greens and how to read Bermuda versus Bent versus poana (not common here in TN) may get a few moments of attention, but the set-up and stroke are vital. I try to let people feel comfortable and give much more of a leash on the green. But knowing a few different mistakes (such as using too much wrists, or inconsistent stroke/swing path, follow through problems, etc) and how to recognize them is my approach on putting. Are you using the same swing path? Are you thinking about anything? Are you thinking about your breathing at all? I taught multitudes of people multitudes of breathing exercises but honestly you only need one in golf. And I make sure every one of my students gets everything out of their session and every question they have answered. I always end by entering something I learned in my journal (I keep for myself and use it as reference) and encourage my students to do the same or else at least take a final moment to do a mini meditation and try and process everything that they just experienced and reflect on it so that it may set in and be there when they come back. Or I really do just like to play, and playing is the best way to improve and I will play a round with you and teach you while we play.