About Michael

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Michael began playing golf at age 4.  He earned a golf scholarship to the University of Idaho (B.S. Business 1981) and he has taught golf using video training techniques since 1979.   He served as Director of Instruction and Director of Schools for three Jim McLean Golf Academies.  In 1998, he became the first Director of Instruction for Resort Golf Group and opened and operated golf academies in Nevada, New York and California.  In 2001, he was named Director of Schools at the PGATOUR Academy in Saint Augustine, Florida and in 2002, was appointed Director of Instruction at the prestigious Academy at La Cantera, located at The Westin La Cantera Resort in San Antonio, Texas.

From 2006 to November of 2024, he served as Director of Instruction at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona, one of the worlds top rated luxury golf resorts.

Michael is a Quarter Century Class A Member of the Professional Golfers Association.  He is rated by Golf Digest Magazine as one of the Top Teachers in Arizona and is the recipient of of the " 2016 Southwest Section PGA Teacher of the Year" and "2004 Harvey Penick Teacher of the Year” award in the Western Chapter of the Southern Texas PGA.  Michael is certified by The Titleist Performance Institute as a Golf Fitness Instructor, Golf Coach for Juniors and Golf Instructor Level 3 (Highest Level).

Teachers and Pros that Michael has worked with include:

•Jim McLean

•Bob Toski

•Tim Mahoney

•Calvin Peete

He has conducted clinics with Hall of Fame members:

◦Gary Player

◦Ben Crenshaw

◦Billy Casper

◦Tony Jacklin 

 Michael is a prolific writer and his columns have been featured in numerous golf magazines and publications.  He is a featured instruction contributor on About.com.  He has hosted local golf talk radio programs and appeared in numerous TV golf tip segments.  

Michael has taught players of all levels and his students include:

◦Texas State Mid-Amateur Champion

◦San Antonio City Girls Champion

◦San Antonio Boys Champion

◦San Antonio Men's and Senior Men's Champions

◦San Antonio Women's Champion

◦Phoenix City Amateur Champion

◦The Arizona State Men’s Amateur Champion

◦Montana State Open Champion

◦Arizona State Boys Champion

◦Florida State Girls Junior Champion

◦Collegiate golfers

◦Members of the PGA Tour, LPGA, Web.com Tour, The Champions Tour and other worldwide and mini tours.

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