DO YOU KNOW THE GOLF COURSE STAFF? SPRING GROUP LESSON SCHEDULES, IGA RENEWAL DISCOUNT ENDS 2/28
Dear <<First Name>> <<Last Name>>,
What do you know about our staff? We had a chance to talk to Scott McGeachin, Director of Golf, Matt Ennis, General Manager at Quail Hollow, as well as Peter Nichenko and Troy Dykstra, Head Golf Professionals at Warm Springs and Quail Hollow respectively. In addition to their background, the guys gave us information about their approach to golf lessons and tips to prepare for the upcoming golf season!
Scott McGeachin, Director of Golf
Scott grew up in Idaho Falls, where he started golfing at the age 8. Scott played competitively on both his High School and College (Boise State) teams. While attending Boise State, Scott’s first job was a Warm Springs Golf Course; he then worked at Hillcrest Country Club in Boise.
After attending Boise State, Scott wanted to pursue a career as a Professional Golfer. Scott moved to New Zealand while he was playing on the Australian Golf Tour. Much of his professional playing career was played on courses in Australia and Brazil. Deciding that the Professional Golf career can be extremely challenging both personally and financially, Scott made the move to become a PGA Golf Professional.
Scott worked for Westin Hotels & Resort for several years where his was the Director of Golf for multiple golf courses. For five years, Scott worked in Hawaii on the island of Kawaii where he was instrumental in building two golf courses (Kiele and Kawaii Lagoons) with Jack Nicklaus. Once those courses were completed, Scott served as the Director of Golf over both courses. Westin then transferred Scott to Tucson where he managed several golf courses for the company (La Paloma and Star Pass in Tucson, Oaktree in Edmonton, OK and Harbor Hill in Jupiter, FL).
In 1996, Scott and his wife Allison, decided they wanted to raise their two sons in Idaho. The City of Boise was hiring a Director of Golf, as the City Parks & Rec Department was taking over the management of Warm Springs Golf Course; Scott was offered that position at Warm Springs and has been with the City of Boise since 1996. Scott really enjoys growing the golf business in the Treasure Valley by teaching junior group lessons, as well as building relationships with the customers at the course.
Scott’s approach to lessons is to focus on the basics of grip, set-up and posture to make sure that students have the club in the correct position at the start of the swing. He primarily teaches using visual swing demonstration rather than video. As far as tips for the 2019 Golf Season, Scott suggests players ease into the season, stretch/warm-up prior to your round of golf, and play in a league as a way to commit to playing regularly.
Matt Ennis, General Manager Quail Hollow
Matt grew up in Boise, where he started playing golf at age 10. Matt played competitively throughout High School and College (Santa Clara University). After playing some tournaments on the mini-tour circuit, Matt decided that a career as a PGA Golf Professional was the route for him. Matt received a Golf Management Degree from the Professional Golfers Career College in Temecula California.
Matt started his career as a PGA Golf Professional by working at Elkhorn Golf Course in the summers, and working at Bermuda Dunes Country Club and Morningside Country Club in Palm Desert in the winters. In 1997, Matt started working for Quail Hollow Golf Club where he was hired as the Assistant Golf Professional, then promoted to the Head Professional. When the City of Boise received Quail Hollow as a donation from its previous owner, it was determined that Matt was the right person to name as the General Manager of the golf course. Matt’s love of the game and his relationship with customers can be seen when you talk to him!
Matt feels it is very easy for golfers to over-complicate the golf swing. Matt’s approach to lessons is to also focus on the basics including grip, set-up and swing motion. Matt says that any type of stretching, swinging the club to practice balance and tempo, and swinging club with non-dominate hand to engage the other side of your body will help prepare golfers for the upcoming 2019 Golf Season.
Peter Nichenko – Head Golf Professional at Warm Springs Golf Course
Peter grew up in Portland, Oregon, where he started golfing at 8 years old. In addition to golf, Peter played basketball throughout his high school years. During his sophomore year in high school, Peter was the Oregon State High School Golf Champion. Peter also worked at local golf courses while growing up in Oregon.
Peter came to Boise to attend Boise State University, where he played golf competitively on the Boise State Golf Team. After receiving his degree in Communications, Peter decided to become a PGA Golf Professional. Peter moved to Tucson, where he worked at La Paloma Golf Course. Peter moved back to work for Warm Springs Golf Course as the Assistant Golf Professional and now is the Head Golf Professional. Peter’s loves the golf industry and watching students improve their golf game.
Peter likes to look at his students shot pattern, believes there is no one correct swing so you have to base instructions on the individual. Peter likes to make sure that each student’s golf basics are strong, then focus on how the golfer can improve. For the 2019 Golf Season, Peter says that flexibility is very important to the golf game; stretching, shoulder rotations and ball exercises are a great way to get ready for season.
Troy Dykstra – Head Golf Professional at Quail Hollow Golf Course
Troy was born in Ohio then lived in Salt Lake City until the age of 10 when his family moved to Elko, Nevada. Troy started golfing at the age of 11. Throughout his high school years, Troy played golf casually rather than competitively in high school. Once Troy was able to compete with the local course’s men’s association, he began playing competitively. At age 22, Troy played in the local Club Championship when he shot a 78 with torn ligaments in his ankle.
Upon the encouragement of his local golf professionals, Troy decided to make a career in the golf industry. The assistant golf professional at his local course urged Troy to get into the PGA apprentice program. After successfully completing the apprentice program, Troy worked as an Assistant Golf Professional in Nevada, then moved to Idaho when he became the Head Professional as Terrace Lakes Resort. Troy has been at Quail Hollow since 2001, where he started as the Assistant Golf Professional and he has been the Head Golf Professional since 2014. Troy loves the challenges of golf, the people in the golf business and working with students of all ages!
Troy also likes to focus on the basics and fundamentals of grip, alignment and aim. He said that students will find it is difficult to improve their golf game without solid basics. Additionally, Troy likes to video almost all lessons to give student visual feedback. To prepare for the 2019 Season, Troy suggests that players stretch, warm-up, and chip and putt for 20 minutes prior to starting your round of golf
Scott, Matt, Peter and Troy still play competitively when they get a chance by playing in Pro-Am’s and Rocky Mountain PGA Section events.
Photos: Top row from left: Scott McGeachin and Matt Ennis
Bottom row from left: Peter Nichenko and Troy Dykstra
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