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Student Success

Beryl Artz
President, Somerset Golf Group
Fort Worth, Texas

Beryl was not only a member of the first Golf Academy of America graduating class, but was the first actual graduate! At an early age, Beryl helped his family manage clubhouse and pro shop operations in the Midwest, under lease arrangements.

Beryl was not only a member of the first Golf Academy of America graduating class, but was the first actual graduate!

At an early age, Beryl helped his family manage clubhouse and pro shop operations in the Midwest, under lease arrangements. To date, Beryl has over 40 years of development and operations experience in golf and private club management.

After graduating from the San Diego Golf Academy, Beryl was named Director of Golf at Pomona National Golf Club, a 27-hole daily fee golf course. After serving as Director of Golf for two years, he moved to Alabama to become an assistant teaching professional for the Jimmy Ballard Golf Schools.

Beryl joined ClubCorp in 1979 as an Associate Club Manager. After serving as a General Manager, with responsibility for all aspects of club operations for two years, he was promoted to a Regional Manager with responsibility for the operational effectiveness of eight clubs in Central Florida. In 1987, he was promoted to Senior Club Development Officer in ClubCorp's Country Clubs division. Beryl worked with developers and general contractors to determine the feasibility of a successful club. Following thorough due diligence and analysis of the deal structure, he recommended design and construction of the course, clubhouse, and related facilities. He established the founding Board of Governors for several clubs, directed the establishment of membership categories and initiation deposits and dues structures and enrolled the founding membership. His responsibilities included formulating the initial operating budget as well as hiring, orientation, and training of the opening operating staff.

In 1988, ClubCorp asked Beryl to serve as Vice President of Operations for its newly-formed daily fee and public golf course business, GolfCorp. Over the next two years, GolfCorp grew from 8 facilities to 42 operations with revenues increasing from under $10 million to over $50 million. In addition to his responsibility for daily operations, he spearheaded the business' growth strategy negotiating the deal structures for acquisitions and divestitures and overseeing the development of new clubs.

In 1994, Beryl was promoted to Executive Vice President for ClubCorp, for more than 90 clubs consisting of city clubs, city/athletic clubs, private country clubs, semi-private clubs and daily fee clubs, which generated a total of $250 million in revenues. In 1997, he was promoted to Executive Vice President with responsibilities for the Golf and Country Club division of 80 private country clubs, 26 golf clubs, and 20 public golf facilities with approximately 75,000 members. Beryl directed five Regional Vice Presidents to ensure growth of the division and to meet the company's financial objectives. Also, he worked with the New Business function to identify and select clubs for acquisition. In 1999, he was a key player in the Cobblestone negotiations that resulted in the acquisition of 23 country, semi-private, and daily fee clubs. The overall revenues for the Golf and Country Club division were approximately $500 million with a projected EBITDA of $140 million.

In 2000, Beryl left ClubCorp to form the Somerset Golf Group and acquire two daily fee properties in the Fort Worth, Texas area. At present, Somerset owns and operates four daily fee golf courses in proximity of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas.

Beryl feels he benefited immensely from the curriculum at Golf Academy of America and the education he received gave him the tools to confidently begin his career in the golf industry.

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Adam Eggert
Head Golf Professional
Izatys Resort
Onamia, Minnesota

Adam L. Eggert, graduated from Golf Academy of America - Phoenix in 2004. Upon graduation, Adam became an Assistant Golf Professional at Izatys Resort. After two years as an assistant, Adam accepted the position of Head Golf Professional.

Mark Hathaway
Head Golf Professional
Borrego Springs Resort
Borrego Springs, CA

Mark started playing golf at a young age and worked in outside service and grounds maintenance throughout high school. Two former high school golf team members, who graduated two years ahead of Mark, brought Golf Academy of America to Mark's attention.

Fabian McIntyre
Head Golf Professional
Falcon's Fire Golf Club
Kissimmee, Florida

Fabian D. McIntyre graduated from Golf Academy of America - Orlando in 1997. Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada, Fabian was introduced to golf at the age of 16 by his sister. Though golf was a prominent part of Fabian's life, he initially pursued a career in the restaurant and hospitality industry.

Fabian D. McIntyre graduated from Golf Academy of America - Orlando in 1997. Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada, Fabian was introduced to golf at the age of 16 by his sister. Though golf was a prominent part of Fabian’s life, he initially pursued a career in the restaurant and hospitality industry.

Realizing that golf was his passion, Fabian and his wife Julie relocated to Florida so that he could attend Golf Academy of America. Upon graduation, Fabian became an Assistant Golf Professional at Rolling Hills Golf Club. After spending four years at Rolling Hills, the last two years as Pro Shop Manager, Fabian accepted the position of Assistant Golf Professional at Falcon’s Fire Golf Club. A year later, Fabian was named Head Golf Professional.

As Head Golf Professional at Falcon’s Fire, Fabian has contributed to all facets of the overall golf operation but has made merchandising a top priority. Due to the competitive climate of golf in Florida, the number of rounds played per year can vacillate, yet Falcon’s Fire has increased the dollar-per-player in merchandise sales by 9.7% and reduced the cost of sales percentage from 55% to 49% on average. Fabian and his five assistant professionals worked as a team and brought Falcon’s Fire Golf Club to the attention of the golf industry, having been awarded the following:

2006 & 2005 Golf World Business Magazine Top 100 Golf Shops
2005 PGA National Merchandiser of the Year
2005 Top 25 Merchandisers in American Golf Shop Magazine
2005 AGM Award for best golf shop renovation
2004 PGA North Florida Section Merchandiser of the Year
2004 Central Chapter Merchandiser of the Year

Fabian is developing his very own full-service golf consulting company under the name of golfshopconsulting.com. It will fall under the umbrella of his parent company FJM Services, Inc. The website will be up and running by year’s end.

Fabian became a U.S. citizen in the year 2000 and was elected as a Class A Member of the PGA of America in 2002. Fabian has taken advantage of Golf Academy of America’s association with the University of Phoenix and is pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing.

Fabian and his staff continue to expand and improve the golfing experience at Falcon’s Fire Golf Club. He most enjoys his private time with his wife Julie and their son Matthew.

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Tom Monaghan
Partner, The Next Golf Adventure, Inc.
Vancouver, BC, Canada

Tom was born and raised in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada, and earned his Bachelors degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. In order to pursue his interest in the golf industry, Tom then attended The San Diego Golf Academy. Tom graduated from Golf Academy of America - Orlando in April, 1998.

Agustín Pascual
General Manager PGA Golf de Catalunya
A PGA European Tour Course
Girona, Spain

Agustín was born in a little town in northern Spain called Santander. His mother and cousins were all avid golfers and won many Spanish amateur events. Agustín started to play golf at the age of three and he also started playing soccer at the same age. He played top level professional soccer in Spain until the age of 24 when, he decided to move to San Diego and attend the San Diego Golf Academy. Agustín graduated from Golf Academy of America - San Diego in August of 1997. While studying at Golf Academy of America, he took a semester off and played Professional Indoor Soccer for the San Diego Sockers.

After graduating, Agustín returned to Spain and started to work for the PGA European Tour Courses, the European version of the TPC in North America. He has been working for this company since 1998, as the General Manager of their Spanish venue, a 36-hole resort which includes a 150 room deluxe hotel and a 450 unit real estate development. Agustín started with the club from its inception and has been running it ever since. During this time, the club has hosted 8 European Tour events. Agustín has also been involved in other European Tour events at different PGA ETC courses throughout Europe. One of the two courses, at PGA Golf de Catalunya, has been recognized as one of the best ten courses in Europe. Agustín is also trying to grow the PGA ETC business in Spain, by acquiring additional clubs and giving existing clubs the opportunity to purchase a license. Among the numerous benefits provided, clubs purchasing a PGA ETC license benefit from association with the brand and have the backing of the PGA ETC organization.

On his time off, Agustín enjoys spending time with his daughter Paula, running or playing golf.

Agustín feels that he wouldn't have had the opportunity to join the PGA European Tour Courses without the education and degree he received from Golf Academy of America - San Diego.

To learn more about the PGA European Tour Courses, go to www.pgaetc.com.

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Beth Pinkney
Championship Director
2008 U.S. Women's Open Championship
Edina, Minnesota

Beth was born and raised in Northern Minnesota and was introduced to golf at a young age by her father, as he would let her drive his golf cart. Beth received her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Minnesota. Upon graduation, she wanted to pursue a career in the golf industry and chose to attend Golf Academy of America - Orlando. Beth graduated from Golf Academy of America - Orlando in 1994.

While in Orlando, Beth interned at the Nestle Invitational now titled the Bay Hill Classic. After working with Jim Bell and the Orlando based tournament staff, she pursued the professional tournament management side of the industry and accepted a position with Pro Links Sports. Beth was on the management team for the 1997 U.S. Senior Open, at Olympia Fields Country Club, in Olympia Fields, IL, and the 1999 U.S. Senior Open at Des Moines Country Club, in Des Moines, IA. To date, the Des Moines event holds all the records for the highest corporate sales and the first sell out of a U.S. Senior Open.

Beth then received a great opportunity to work for Prom Management Group, located in St. Paul, MN. This position still offered close ties to the golf industry. Beth was with Prom for five years and sold corporate hospitality for the regular PGA Tour and the Champions Tour. With rumors of the 2008 U.S. Women's Open coming to Minnesota, Beth interviewed for the Director's role and has been working in this position since July of 2005. Her responsibilities include overseeing the corporate sales program, recruitment and management of 3,000 volunteers, marketing plans, ticket promotions, media buying plans, city relations, and member relations.

On her down time, Beth enjoys traveling, rollerblading, cheering for the Minnesota Vikings and, of course, playing the great game of golf.

Beth values the education she received from Golf Academy of America - Orlando and hopes that her fellow alumni and all who read this will be a part of the 2008 U.S. Women's Open!

To learn more about the 2008 U.S. Women's Open, go to
www.2008uswomensopen.com.

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Todd Roberson
Owner/President, ParGolf Eyewear
The Woodlands, Texas

Growing up in Brenham, Texas, Todd felt the golf itch at the age of 15. He played recreationally until the age of 27, when a co-worker mentioned that his son was attending The San Diego Golf Academy. Now realizing that there was an opportunity to have a career doing something that he loved, Todd soon began his journey. Todd was 31, when he entered Golf Academy of America, and graduated from Golf Academy of America - Orlando in April, 1999.

After graduation Todd became the Tournament Manager for the Southern Texas PGA. This was a great experience and gave him the chance to meet many of the golf professionals in the Texas Section. In 2000 Todd became a sales representative, covering all of south Texas, for such companies as Izod Club, Bette & Court, and SunDog Eyewear. Todd's next move took him to the Briarcrest County Club, in Bryan, TX, where he held the position of Assistant Golf Professional. While at Briarcrest, Todd's entrepreneurial spirit kicked into overdrive.

Todd started ParGolf Eyewear in the spring of 2003, introducing a high quality, golf specific, sunglass that was affordable for everyone. The concept caught on and there are now 12 reps covering 18 states, with over 500 accounts. ParGolf prides itself on being the only sunglass company to be exclusively golf specific and only sold to golf accounts. 2006 brought the introduction of ParGolf Headwear, a company that offers custom options on specialty caps, at basic prices.

Todd's son, Cord Roberson, is currently attending Golf Academy of America - Orlando, and carrying on the family tradition (to the delight of Brad Turner & Flash!). Todd and Cord are adding to the growing number of father/son teams that graduate from the Golf Academy of America program. Todd also has five wonderful daughters, Megan, Zoe, Kaci, Olivia, and Chloe. He and his beautiful wife, Jill, now reside in The Woodlands, TX, and are building strong roots, while raising their family.

Todd feels that without the education and experience he received at Golf Academy of America, he would not be where he is today. He most values the lessons he learned, about the golf industry, from Brad Turner, Alan Flashner, Charlie and Roger King. Todd would like to relay the following message to all Golf Academy of America alumni: follow your dreams, they know where they're going!

To learn more about ParGolf Eyewear, go to: www.pargolfeyewear.com. Todd would love to hear from all the Golf Academy alumni who need great sunglasses and Todd also has started an ad hoc alumni group, for the purpose of networking. You can reach Todd at: 281-731-9454, for more information.

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Stefan Schauffele
AndMore Products Inc.

At age 20, Stefan trained at the German national team decathlon training center, on a daily basis. On one life-altering day, Stefan was hit by a drunk driver. The years following consisted of multiple surgeries, which left Stefan blind in his left eye. This shocking event led Stefan to pursue his life-long dream of living and studying in America. In 1987, Stefan arrived in San Diego and felt as if he was in one of the nicest places on earth. Here was where he first came into contact with the game of golf.

As the golf ball is not a moving target, Stefan found that his lack of vision in his left eye was not a handicap. Golf then became his hobby. After another surgery and two years abroad in Japan, Stefan returned to San Diego and enrolled in the San Diego Golf Academy. Incidentally, this decision was triggered after seeing a video featuring Golf Academy of America and A.J. Bonar in a department store in Tokyo!

Stefan is not shy to proclaim that the two years that followed at Golf Academy of America - San Diego were arguably the best two years of his life. Here is how he describes the journey: "I had worked hard for one year in Japan to improve my golf game. I arrived in San Diego without an established handicap but played to approximately a fourteen. Once I began associating the golf swing with other movements that were more familiar to me, like throwing the javelin and the discus, my golf game improved rapidly. At the end of the two years, I had won a few of the weekly tournaments and the Ron Vornbroek Tournament of Champions. I received 'most improved player', and graduated with honors at the top of my class. Most importantly I had found the greatest joy of my life and left Golf Academy of America as a scratch golfer with a big smile on my face. There was no question that Golf would be forever the center of my life, because it had saved it."

Stefan directly credits Golf Academy of America with his personal improvement and his gained respect and admiration for the golf profession. After graduation, 8/94, Stefan went to work for Princeville Resort, on Kauai, as an Assistant Golf Professional. Today Stefan owns a factory in China and produces golf products for golf markets around the world. His company in San Diego is AndMore Products Inc. AndMore Products Inc. distributes a custom logo golf glove system called MagnaGloves, as well as Sun Golf Grips and Swarovski encrusted golf accessories. His product lines are designed to bring revenue back to the golf shop and are particularly well suited for events, corporate promotions, and total custom logo solutions starting at small quantities.

For more information about AndMore Products Inc., go to
www.andmoreproducts.com

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Jeff Sheets
Vice President Research & Development
Golfsmith International
Austin, Texas

Prior to attending Golf Academy of America Jeff Sheets was a non-golfer working in corporate facilities management while pursuing a hospitality management degree. He liked the diversity of his corporate job but wanted a career with the prospect of travel and the chance to be creative. Fortunately Golf Academy of America opened the door to many opportunities.

Prior to attending the San Diego Golf Academy Jeff Sheets was a non-golfer working in corporate facilities management while pursuing a hospitality management degree. He liked the diversity of his corporate job but wanted a career with the prospect of travel and the chance to be creative. Fortunately Golf Academy of America opened the door to many opportunities.

Jeff Sheets graduated from the San Diego Golf Academy in August 1988 back when only one Golf Academy of America campus existed. Upon graduation he was recruited to operate the PGA Tour van for Brunswick Golf (now known as Royal Precision under the True Temper/Grafalloy umbrella). His golfing career has been 100% focused on equipment, inclusive of fitting the world's top competitors, designing clubs for major equipment manufacturers, running focus groups with amateurs and educating up-and-coming clubmakers.

Jeff has designed, assembled and fit clubs that have been used to win tournaments at many levels including major championships and Ryder Cup matches. Some of his most memorable achievements include the work he has done with touring pros. Jeff worked closely with Nick Faldo and rebuilt his clubs both weeks prior to his back-to-back Masters victories. He began working on Lee Janzen's equipment while Lee was playing on the mini tours and eventually built his set used to win the U.S. open years later. Jeff has worked on clubhead designs with Payne Stewart, Lanny Wadkins and shares multiple patents with Lee Trevino. He enjoyed designing the set of clubs used by Dave Stockton to win the U.S. Senior Open and designed the woods and irons Chris Johnson used in her LPGA Championship victory. Jeff also enjoys the notoriety of building the first metal driver that Arnold Palmer ever put into play in a PGA Tournament (Arnie opened with a 66 in Palm Springs against the 'flat bellies' that day).

While the list of touring pros he has worked may look like a Masters leader board his greatest satisfaction is seeing the impact he has on recreational golfers, especially women and seniors. "They are so appreciative of what you've been able to do for them," he states.

Sheets turned his energies over to golf club research & development 14 years ago. At Founders Club he created classic player's models such as the Tour-CB cavity back forgings. Moving onto Spalding Jeff oversaw the development of the Top-Flite Tour irons which quickly became the #1 iron on the Senior PGA Tour. He was recruited to Wilson where he designed the first generation of Deep Red woods and irons. And since arriving at Golfsmith in 2002 has been responsible for the multitude of designs under the Snake Eyes, Lynx, Killer Bee and Zevo names, in addition to the companies other brands. With 21 patents to his name and over 250 clubhead designs to his credit Jeff is one of the busiest individuals working in the golf industry. Sheets claims he could never have achieved his success in golf without the education he received at the San Diego Golf Academy.

Jeff has seen his golf career come full circle starting with his early days as an independent clubmaker. At Golfsmith he teaches hobbyists and fellow industry veterans in the Advanced Clubfitting & Repair School. He also teaches the lost art of custom grinding clubheads in his Master Craftsman School at Golfsmith. While it took his Golf Academy of America education to get him where he is today, Sheets is providing an education to others so they can take advantage of similar opportunities for themselves in golf.

Recently Golfsmith and the San Diego Golf Academy entered into a partnership agreement bringing a variety of benefits to both organizations. "I'm really looking forward to our new alliance. Golf Academy of America is where I initially picked up my interest in equipment technology. Through our new partnership I hope that the educational services we are making available through Golfsmith will lead to future club fitters, designers and equipment professionals graduating from Golf Academy of America."

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Marie Tucker
Executive Director
Women's Golf Association of Massachusetts
Norton, Massachusetts

Born and raised in Vermont, Marie graduated from Golf Academy of America - The Carolinas in April, 2003. After graduating, Marie moved to Tennessee, where her sister lives, to search for her first job. Pine Creek Golf Course was Marie's first adventure. Although it was not her dream job, it started her career in the golf industry. The club manager recognized the San Diego Golf Academy on her resume and knew of the school and its reputation. In order to work this part-time summer job, Marie had to work two other jobs which allowed her to stay in the golf field. Marie hung in there knowing that, with time and motivation, things would happen. She worked the next summer as a USGA P.J. Boatwright Intern for the Vermont State Women's Golf Association. She was their first intern and first paid employee (they are an all volunteer association). Marie was responsible for the daily office duties which included on-line registration for State Days and three major tournaments. Three events take place every Tuesday on three different courses around the state of Vermont in five different flights, depending on your handicap. Having computer and tournament operations knowledge was a definite bonus for Marie. She also learned the USGA Tournament Pairing Program to help with scoring and reports for Vermont Women's state tournaments.

Networking is everything! As a P.J. Boatwright Intern, she attended the USGA week-long seminar in Far Hills, New Jersey with other interns from around the country. It was there that she met Barbara from the WGAM. Barbara was the one who contacted Marie when the Executive Director position in Massachusetts became available. Marie applied for this position, not knowing if her past experience would be enough. Apparently, all of her hard work paid off because she was offered the position in August 2005. She continues to network and is a member of the International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA).

Marie will be celebrating her second year as Executive Director of WGAM in August. Her office is located in the Golf House & Museum at the TPC course in Norton, MA, where the Deutschbank Championship is held every Labor Day weekend. From her office window, she has a great view of the ninth green. Because of this location, Marie had the opportunity to watch Tiger Woods compete and, this year, will watch the top FedEx point players play in her "backyard." "It's a tough life to live," says Marie!

The Women's Golf Association of Massachusetts conducts about 25 tournaments a season from May to October and Marie believes that the education she received at the Golf Academy of America - The Caronlinas played a big part in getting this position and she is proud to have Golf Academy of America listed at the top of her resume. The road to Massachusetts wasn't easy but the end result made it all worth while.

In her spare time she loves to play golf with friends and family. Marie feels she is living proof that you don't have to play to a low handicap to have a love for the game of golf! She feels motivation, knowledge, and determination are the main requirements to work in this industry.

To learn more about the Women's Golf Association of Massachusetts, go to www.wgam.org

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