GET to know mark
18+ years of coaching- 24+ years of competing
Coaching Philosophy- Guide students of any skill level to play better golf and have more fun.
Coaching Mission- Guide high school level players into collegiate level competitors.
Services:
Individual Golf Lessons, Group Golf Instruction, Golf Lessons for Beginners
History of coaching
Like many others, I became interested in golf in 1997, shortly after watching Tiger Woods win the 1997 Masters. Coming from a non golfing family with 3 younger sisters, I spent most of my high school summer days at the golf course trying to improve. I was fortunate to meet a passionate volunteer for Mason High School named Bob Matthiesen. Bob gave me the tools that produced results. During my senior high school season, I earned D2 first team all state , which helped me earn an athletic scholarship to Grand Valley State University. While at GVSU, I was a 4 year letter winner with 1 top 5 finish, multiple top 10 finishes, and multiple team victories all over the mid west and Atlantic coast. Coach Don Underwood recruited me because I was a late bloomer from a non-golfing family, which is not very typical in golf.
I began my career in golf instruction and golf lessons in the summer of 2006 working with GVSU head women's coach Lori Stinson. Coach Stinson ran the largest summer golf camp in West Michigan, which I took the lead as a head instructor. I continued to help run the junior golf camp for 3 summers before graduating from GVSU in 2008.
Shortly after graduating from GVSU in 2008, I took a position as a Teaching Professional for the Hawk Hollow Golf Academy. During this tenure, I was in charge of group instruction as well as assisting golf lessons for beginners at Hawk Hollow and the Okemos golf dome. In the summer of 2010 I joined the PGA apprentice program to pursue the golf industry full time. At this time I earned certification from US Kids Golf along with running the PGA Jr League at Hawk Hollow.
Junior Golf Expert- The Proof is in the Results
3x Team State Championships.
1x Individual State Champion.
12x First Team All State Athletes.
100k+ College Scholarship $ Earned.
No Shortcuts
I am passionate about helping golfers improve. My golf instruction philosophy is to open a students true potential, starting with the foundational pieces that are required to play great golf. I will then tailor the golf lesson to the individual student making sure we are covering their individual goals. By the end of the session, I will help guide you to discover the art of self diagnose and self correct. Start making better contact, hitting better golf shots, and having more fun on the golf course. This includes golf lessons for beginners, you will be surprised how quickly you can learn this game!
Fun Facts about Me
- My parents have never swung a golf club.
- I started playing golf when I was 12 and broke par for the first time when I was 14.
- My lowest round is 63 for 18 holes, and 28 for 9 holes.
- I have 2 career hole in ones and 1 albatross.
- I play hockey left handed and play golf right handed.
- I shot a 141 (66,75) in my PGA Playing Ability Test at Bucks Run Golf Club.
- I have taught students as young as 4 and as old as 91.
- I volunteered to help coach the Mason High School Golf Team for 5 seasons.
- My favorite club is my putter.
- My second favorite club is a tie between my sand wedge and my 7 wood.