Golf

The Coach

Ben Austin

Lead Staff Instructor

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The game of golf first caught my eye when I was about 12 years old.  The first time I ever "hit" a golf ball was with my grandma on the 8th hole at the Coudersport Golf Club in Coudersport, PA.  I spent my high school career playing for the golf team and went to Districts 3 years in a row.  After graduation, I went to college for Landscape Architecture and graduated from SUNY Delhi with a degree in Landscape Contracting.  I worked my way up to the Superintendent position managing multiple crews and found that I really enjoyed teaching people new things about horticulture. 

One day I woke up and found myself really missing golf.  I looked at some schools online and found the Golf Academy of the South (Golf Academy of America) and applied.  I was accepted and decided that if I didn't do this, I would wake up 20 years down the road and regret it.  I sold everything I owned, packed up my car and moved to Orlando. 

I finished school and graduated with a degree in Golf Complex Operations with certifications in Club Fitting, Teaching and Tournament Operations.  All throughout school my goal was to be an Instructor.  After school, I went to Reynolds Plantation and was the Assistant Teaching Professional at the Reynolds Golf Academy (www.reynoldsgolfacademy.com).  I worked with Charlie King (Golf Magazine TOP 100), Karen Nicoletti (LPGA), and Bunky Henry (Georgia Golf Hall of Fame) and learned a tremendous amount of knowledge from them.  They shaped my current teaching style.  

During my time there Charlie King wrote a book titled "The New Rules of Golf Instruction".  I consider myself a "New Rules" Instructor.  Teaching based on skill, rather than looks.  There are skills involved in the golf swing that are as important to a Beginner as to a Tour Player.  During my time there I taught private lessons, clinics, golf schools, and corporate outings.  I was also the lead Coach for the Member Coaching Program.  

In March of 2010 I moved back to Pennsylvania and taught for GolfTEC in King of Prussia ( www.golftec.com).  I decided to move closer to home so that I could see my family more often.  In March of 2011 I took a position at the Deerfield Golf Club in Newark, DE as the Lead Staff Instructor.  (www.deerfieldgolflcub.com).  In December 2013 I finished my journey through the PGA of America and received my PGA Class "A" Membership. 

I continue to keep learning and I know that I always will.  I will keep pushing forward and see what tomorrow brings...