I was at the golf course since before I can remember but my first memory was at City Park in Denver as a toddler on the driving range with my family. I would go with my brother and sister, who are 5 & 6 years older than me, for their classes with Denver Junior Golf. The coaches were kind enough to invite me on the course with them which mostly included riding along in the cart. From there I remember asking to go to the course every chance we got until I could eventually ride my bike over on my own to play and practice.  

My first jobs were at the golf course and as I was graduating high school, I contemplated different majors and career routes along with playing college golf. However, the opportunity to blend my passion for golf and career right away wasn't something I was willing to pass up. I chose to attend the PGA Golf Management Program at UCCS. So many of my favorite people were always at the golf course and I had so much fun at work that I knew I would be happy if I got to spend every day at a golf course. The Head Professional at the time, Keith Soriano mentioned in a staff meeting when I was in high school that “we get to work where everyone else wants to be while they’re at work” and that stuck with me ever since. As I got into instruction, I realized I could also add problem solving and helping others to that equation which made it the perfect fit for me.  

It is incredibly fulfilling and joyful for me to be able to introduce young people to the game I love and have loved for as long as I can remember. A lot of kids have a difficult time finding a sport or activity that really clicks for them and when I can help them get really good at golf and see the happiness and pride they experience, it is one of the best feelings for me. I have the opportunity to coach so many incredible young athletes who could excel in any activity of their choosing but I know golf to be the one to also help them become the best people.  

During the pandemic, I recruited a team of coaches to teach with. I brought on a few fantastic coaches to work with. When social and athletic options were limited, we provided summer camps, Operation36, PGA Junior League & Adult Welcome2Golf. We delivered player development to players of all ages, abilities and socioeconomic backgrounds. Our passion for golf and sharing it with others quickly spread through the facility, community and beyond. We were able to share the game in an extremely high quality way, with so many people who continue to play and share gratitude for the coaching culture we brought them. Our excitement for golf, sharing it with others and the fun to be had for our students was noticeably contagious. That time in my coaching history has assured me that the work we do as golf professionals benefits the greater good of those around us in a positive way.  

"I love golf for so many reasons and I gain new reasons to love it as the years go by. When I look back, I grew up loving golf because time at the golf course has always equated to time spent with my favorite people. Golf has always been my connector. One of the things I value most about golf is not only its ability to connect people from different backgrounds but its ability to level the playing field regardless of where you come from. I love that a grandparent, parent and child could all three go play golf, spanning three generations, and any one of them could win on any given day. 

Golf is an equalizer and doesn't discriminate. Anyone can learn to play golf. It has the ability to bring entire communities together. 

As I got older, my love for the game grew because it was the most challenging sport I played and incredibly rewarding to improve from hard work and dedication. Contrary to other sports, good games and bad games are all on you with the constant pursuit of excellence. I loved the chase of becoming better than I was the day before. "

Getting my start at a public course in the middle of downtown Denver, I was lucky enough to consider the professional staff at City Park my community of coaches who taught me the impact a PGA Professional can have on the life of a child. I learned the value of having the village to support myself and other young golfers like me. The PGA Professionals I was surrounded by on a daily basis taught me to believe in my abilities and that hard work pays off. I am the coach and golf professional I am today largely in part to those individuals.

A very important part of my coaching is making sure my students understand that while I care greatly about their golf game, I care more about them as people. This priority stems from the belief my coaches had in me. I grew up playing every sport in the book, with many coaches, and I believe that whether I realized it or not, I acquired small attributes from each of them. The most valuable trait I had in a coach was to coach the whole person, not just their skills and that is what I try to carry on in my coaching. I find it so fun to learn how each students needs differ from the others and cater to that in order to create a learning environment where they thrive.  

There is a very special moment that happens in coaching where your student is working hard to execute a golf shot and they figure it out and look back at you with a big smile. That is the greatest moment and I have the honor of having that moment every day. What has created a few special memories for me is when a student has suffered a hardship in their life and come back to the course, I have been able to provide the space for them to have fun and enjoy golf despite the difficulties of life.  

"My coaching philosophy supports golfers to play without fear, but rather with trust and self-belief in effectively executing their technique and mental plan on course. My role is to help golfers discover what their mind and body can achieve in order to play their best golf and reach their goals.

It is in our human nature as golfers to have the desire to be good at the things we do and we have the most fun when we are doing the things we are good at. It is my philosophy that all golfers regardless of skill or age, play golf because it’s fun and they come to us as coaches to improve in order to reach their goals and have more fun, more often. "  

I would have either been a teacher or a psychologist. So likely a school psychologist.  

Golf has always been one of my favorite ways to spend time. It has been therapeutic, a reason for celebration, the greatest gift and the greatest test of patience. Golf has been my medium to serve my community & give the game back to kids like me. While I have worked to inspire my students, it’s my students who have multiplied the inspiration in me. The greatest impact to me has been my students, I’ve just been very lucky that we happened to have a golf club in our hands.