Meet the CGPC Coaching Staff
Our coaching staff boasts highly skilled professionals with many awards and top students to its credit. From PGA Tour stars to collegiate All-Americans to beginners, we have teaching professionals to suit the needs of any age or skill level.
Scott Szymoniak, Director of Player Development
Canongate I
sszymoniak@canongategolf.com
Available for instruction at: Canongate I, Summergrove
Scott brings an extensive background in modern teaching fundamentals. Having trained at the world-renowned David Ledbetter Golf Academy, he has observed and studied players of all levels. Scott has coached professionals on six different tours worldwide who have combined to earn over $4 million in prize money. He has also led players to collegiate victories at the Division I and II levels. Scott created and developed the Learning Center at Country Club of the South in conjunction with the Mizuno Test and Research facility before joining Canongate in 2006. He most recently has worked with Nike to help develop their new 360 Degree Club Fitting System and is highlighted on the Nike Golf website.
Jim Goergen, Director of Instruction
North-Atlanta
Windermere
678-877-0917
jgoergen@canongategolf.com
Available for instruction at: Windermere, Hamilton Mill, Eagle Watch, Olde Atlanta, Braelinn
Named Georgia’s PGA Teacher of the Year in 2003, Jim comes to Canongate with a Five Star Pedigree. From 1999-2005, Jim was the Head Teaching Professional for Sea Island Golf Club, named by Golf Digest Magazine as the #1 Golf Resort in the country. He also taught as a Lead Instructor for the world renowned Golf Digest Schools from 1993-2000. Golf Digest Magazine has recognized Jim as a top instructor in Georgia since 1999. Jim has helped players on the PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour including former US Amateur Champion Matt Kuchar. However, he enjoys helping anyone who is committed to improving and has had tremendous success in developing talented junior golfers. Many of Jim’s junior students have gone on to earn full scholarships to such prestigious schools as: Stanford University, University of Georgia, University of South Carolina, Augusta State University, and Berry College.
Brewster Bassett, Director of Instruction
South-Atlanta
Canongate I
770-634-2585
bbassett@canongategolf.com
Available for instruction at: River Forest, Heron Bay, Mirror Lake, Sun City Peachtree, Planterra Ridge
Brewster brings to Canongate 18 years of dedicated effort toward helping all levels of students gain the knowledge to play better golf. A proud member of the PGA, He credits a large part of his success with teaching to the priceless working education with Golf Digest Schools of seven years, where he worked with 6 different Top 50 Instructors and taught over 4000 students the path to better golf. Brewster, a multiple published writer for Golf Digest Magazine, was proudly featured in the January 2001 issue of Breaking 100-90-80 “A Guide to Scoring Basics.” He comes to Canongate as the former Director of Instruction of Foundations Golf Schools & Academies and enjoys working with the new golfer just as much as the Tour level player.
Chuck Scoggins, Director of Junior Golf
Hamilton Mill
770-362-7571
cscoggins@canongategolf.com
Chuck comes to Hamilton Mill with vast experience. His 20 years in golf instruction make him an expert in game improvement for all players of all levels and is certified in Launch Monitor technology and club-fitting. He has received the Georgia Junior Golf Leadership Award in 1999, 2000 and 2006. In 2007, Chuck was named as one the "Top 50" Junior Instructors in the country by US KIDS GOLF. Overall he has had 22 juniors go on to compete in college including 6 current students.
Dave Anderson, Teaching Professional
Olde Atlanta
678-557-9630
da@pga.com
David has been teaching professionally for over 21 years and has been a PGA professional since 1995. He has devoted his professional career to helping people become better golfers. His unique Performance Plan takes the complexity out of instruction so that each student focuses only on the fundamental movements necessary to play great golf! David’s unsurpassed communication style and straight forward approach to teaching gives you not only the ability to strike the ball well on the range but to transfer it to the golf course – where it counts!
Beth Blevins, Teaching Professional
Summergrove
678-850-6476
bblevins@canongategolf.com
Available for instruction at: White Oak
A native of Woodruff, South Carolina, Beth was three-time All-Conference for the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky, three-time All-Army/All-Armed Forces, and International Women’s Champion. She is a Class A member of the PGA. Her vibrant personality makes her an excellent instructor and coach.
Maeve Cromwell, Teaching Professional
Braelinn
770-631-4129
mcromwell@canongategolf.com
Hailing from Scotland, the home of golf, Maeve is a Class A member of the prestigious LPGA Teaching and Coaching division. Maeve’s versatile teaching style makes her equally poised to teach beginners and low handicappers. Regardless of age or gender, Maeve’s instruction techniques make her a sought after teaching professional.
Rachel Goergen, Teaching Professional
Windermere
678-794-8945
rgoergen@canongategolf.com
Available for instruction at: Windermere, Olde Atlanta
Growing up at Whitewater Creek, Rachel fell in love with golf at age six. As a junior, she played for Woodward Academy and competed in the Atlanta Junior Golf Association and the American Junior Golf Association. She was a four year starter at the University of Kentucky, finishing as their number one player. While at Kentucky, she was honored as MVP, Co-Captain, All SEC Academic, and she made the Dean’s list. Recently she qualified for the prestigious PGA Professional program. Rachel excels in the short game: her college coach called her the “Queen of Up and Downs.”
Jeff Kaneko, Teaching Professional
Traditions
770-274-0799
jkaneko@canongategolf.com
Jeff comes to us with over 12 years of experience teaching, with specialty in the area of short game and putting. The last ten years, Jeff has refined his skills within the Dave Pelz Golf organization. His student base includes names such as Se Ri Pak, Rocco Mediate, and Vijay Singh, among others. He has appeared on several Dave Pelz Golf Academy shows on the Golf Channel, in addition to being featured in The Dave Pelz Putting Bible. Jeff also has been published several times in Golf Magazine. If you are interested in truly learning the art of scoring, don’t miss out on taking a clinic or private lesson from Jeff!
Andy Pittman, Teaching Professional
Canongate I
678-877-7505
apittman@canongategolf.com
Available for instruction at: White Oak, Summergrove
A graduate of Georgia Southern, Andy has served as a head professional four times over his 37-year career. He has coached both high school and college golf teams, and is a recipient of the Georgia PGA Junior Golf Leader Award.
Dave Schreyer, Teaching Professional
Braelinn
404-556-5297
dschreyer@canongategolf.com
David joins our instructional team with the greatest degree of competitive experience, having played on the PGA Tour in 1992. He also competed on the Nationwide Tour for five years, and has enjoyed success on the Hooters Tour with 10 victories, two-time Player of the Year honors to his credit, and it the all-time leading money winner. He instructed Cindy McCurdy for 16 years, an LPGA winner of the Chicago Sun Times event. David’s strengths in teaching are his vast knowledge gained from taking lessons from some of the game’s best instructors including Jim McLean and Brian Lebedivitch, who currently teaches U.S. Women’s Open Champion Christy Kerr. In addition to the full swing and short game, David also has expertise in nutrition, physical conditioning, and mental preparation.
Carl Talbott, Teaching Professional
Whitewater Creek
404-457-8125
ctalbott@canongategolf.com
Available for instruction at: Canongate I, Whitewater Creek
As a top ranked junior player and state champion from Tennessee, Carl played collegiate golf at Mississippi State University where he was a four-year letterman. After obtaining his Master’s degree at the University of Alabama, Carl’s love for the game prevailed and he turned professional in 1991. He worked three years as an assistant pro in Florida and New York before turning his attention to competition. Carl competed on the Nationwide Tour and various other mini-tours throughout the United States from 1994 to 2003. During this period, he sought out and worked with some of the best instructors in the country such as Mike Bender, Charlie Sorrell and Mike Castelluzzi gaining extensive knowledge of all aspects of the game both mental and physical. Carl has worked with players of all levels from beginner to professional emphasizing the correct perception of golf’s proven fundamentals. This understanding, coupled with proper preparation, allows his students to achieve their ultimate golfing goals.
Will Bartram, Instructor
Assistant Professional
White Oak
770-251-6700
wbartram@canongategolf.com
Will was raised in Newnan, grew up playing golf at Canongate 1 and has been in the business of golf for 5 years. He played two years of junior college golf at Andrew College before coming to Canongate-on-White Oak. Will passed his PGA Playing Ability Test in 2007 and is an Apprentice in the PGA Program. He is a strong believer in the fundamentals of the swing and loves to work with new players and junior players.
Wes Bates, Instructor
Head Golf Professional
Chapel Hills
wbates@canongategolf.com
Wes comes to Canongate as the former Director of Golf at Stonebridge Golf Club in Rome, Georgia where he coordinated the Rome Boy’s and Girls Club Golf Programs & Tournaments. After reaching the Class “A” Membership of the PGA in 2002, He worked and played in the Dixie Section as the Head Golf Professional at Terrapin Hills Country Club finishing in the Top 25 in the section Player of the Year point standings. Wes has enjoyed working with all levels of golfers from beginners to mini-tour players and works with each player as an individual instead of trying to build the student into a Model Swing. His Philosophy is to “Keep it simple…supply the student the benefits of a solid short game and create a fun learning environment.”
Brian Conley, Instructor
Head Golf Professional
Traditions
bconley@canongategolf.com
Brian is a graduate of The University of Georgia and PGA Member since March 2004. He is a 2004 Acushnet PGA Scholarship Winner. Brian’s career includes stints at St. Marlo Golf Club and the Harbor Club where he played integral parts in developing Junior Golf programs at each facility and providing private lessons for members and their guests. His focus on instruction is keeping learning fun while building a plan for the recreational golfer to reach their goals.
Tylor Dimmig, Instructor
Assistant Professional
Braelinn
(770) 631-3100
tdimmig@canongategolf.com
A former Marine, Tylor has been in the golf business for six years, and he has been an assistant at Braelinn for the past two years. In addition to teaching numerous private lessons and being very involved in junior golf instruction, Tylor is also an experienced club fitter.
Justin Japour, Instructor
Head Golf Professional
White Oak
770-251-6700
jjapour@canongategolf.com
Justin Japour is a PGA Class A Member and a Newnan native. He grew up playing golf at White Oak and went on to play golf for Valdosta State University where he graduated with a degree in Communications and earned All-American Honorable Mention as well as a three time Academic All-American. Justin started his club professional career at Canongate I as an assistant and then opened Heron Bay as the head golf professional. Currently Justin is the PGA Head Golf Professional at Canongate-On-White Oak.
Roy Jarvis, Instructor
Head Golf Professional
Sun City Peachtree
478-743-1495
rjarvis@canongategolf.com
Roy Jarvis is the New Head Golf Professional at Sun City Peachtree in the Locust Grove/Griffin area. He moved up from Healy Point Golf Club after 8 years as the facilities Head Professional and has been a PGA member since 1989. Roy's first teaching experience came by working golf schools at the Ravines in Middleburg, Florida with PGA tour pro Bert Yancey. Bert's attention to detail has always played an important part in focusing Roy's teaching toward fundamentals and tempo. He is the current coach of the First Presbyterian Day School golf team and has taught a multitude of players of all abilities.
John Johnson, Instructor
Assistant Professional
Georgia National
770-914-9994
jjohnson@canongategolf.com
Teaching Golf since the early nineties, John has been instrumental in establishing a flourishing junior Program for Georgia National Golf Club. John gained invaluable experience at the Rocky Gap Resort in Maryland where he developed and taught all of the instruction programs. John has been teaching at Georgia National since 2003. In 2006 & 2007, John was selected as an Honorable Mention Top Kids Teacher by U.S. Kids Golf.
Brandon Lovelady, Instructor
Assistant Professional
Flat Creek
770-487-8140
blovelady@canongategolf.com
Brandon, a formally well known amateur player in Central Michigan, David Leadbetter Golf Academy student, and collegiate player at the University of North Alabama in 1999, graduated from San Diego Golf Academy with certification in Teaching. Turning professional prior to U.S. Open qualifying in 2007, Brandon is still active as a competitive player on the local mini-tours and recently passed his playing ability test for the PGA of America, as the medalist, and will be enrolled in the PGA management program for 2008. His teaching style emphasizes core fundamentals to aide swing mechanics, developing the mental game and scoring with short game. His goal is to make the game easier to understand for all players from beginners to veterans.
Jenny Mitchell, Instructor
Assistant Professional
Chapel Hills
770-949-0030
jjudd@canongategolf.com
Jenny began playing golf at age three and went on to become a successful junior golfer, competing in events at the state and national level, including the Junior World Championship (1999, 2000) held at Torrey Pines Golf Club and the Junior America’s Cup (2000). She played collegiate golf at Boise State University, where she captained the team for the 2004-2005 season. Additionally, she served as Student Athlete Advisory Chairperson for the golf team all four years. She turned professional in April 2005, and worked at Pierce Park Greens from April 2005-November 2006. While in Boise, she was also an instructor for the First Tee of Idaho and taught golf classes for Boise State University. She participated in Qualifying School for the LPGA Tour in September 2006. From November 2006-April 2007, she worked at Augustine Golf Club in Stafford, VA. In May 2007, Jenny joined the staff at Chapel Hills Golf Club as an Assistant Golf Professional.
Brad Morrison, Instructor
Assistant Professional
Canongate I
bmorrison@canongategolf.com
Brad comes to Canongate 1 from Orlando, Florida where he graduated from SDGA with a degree in Golf Complex Operations and Management, certified in club fitting, advanced teaching methodology and use of training aids under the tutelage of Master Professionals Alan Flashner and Bruce Martin. He is also versed on the V1 swing analysis and the S.A.M. putting lab software. He has been playing golf competitively for the past 3 years. Brad loves to teach and participate in his students accomplishments.
Marten Olsson, Instructor
Head Golf Professional
River Forest
478-974-0974
molsson@canongategolf.com
Marten gained invaluable insight into the mechanics of the golf swing and club-fitting, training under Master PGA Professional Ray Cutright. Graduates of his junior program at Idle Hour Club in Macon won the state high school championship in 2001.
Mark Owen, Instructor
Head Golf Professional
Flat Creek
770-487-8140
mowen@canongategolf.com
Mark has been a Head Professional since 1997 and has led the operation for both Flat Creek and Braelinn Golf Clubs since 2004. Mark emphasizes fundamentals in his teaching.
Nathan Ray, Instructor
Assistant Professional
Olde Atlanta
706-296-3137
nray@canongategolf.com
A Georgia native, Nathan has been in the golf industry for two years. He has competed in numerous AJGA, GSGA and RJGA events and was the 1999 RJGA player of the year. Nathan was trained in all aspects of the game under PGA Professional Steve Hawkins of Old Tabby Links in Spring Island, South Carolina. Nathan's instruction emphasizes "one-piece" swing fundamentals, game management and mental focus.
Eric Reeves, Instructor
Head Golf Professional
Healy Point
478.743.1495
ereeves@canongategolf.com
Eric comes to Canongate with over 5 years of competitive playing and teaching experience. He has played both professionally and on the Division I Collegiate level. Eric won the 2002 Blade Sportswear Collegiate while playing at Mercer University and was Mercer University’s first ever Academic All-American golfer. Eric also finished second on the Assistant Professional Player of the Year points list for the Georgia Section in 2006. Also in 2006 Eric captured the Assistant’s Division Championship and competed for Georgia in the Georgia PGA vs. Tennessee PGA Assistants' Cup Matches. Eric enjoys working with all ages but he especially enjoys working with Junior golfers helping them develop the proper fundamentals and learn to enjoy the game. Eric uses his playing and teaching experience to teach the fundamentals of the swing as well as proper course management.
Ben Schwaderer, Instructor
Assistant Professional
Mirror Lake
770-459-5599
bschwaderer@canongategolf.com
Ben Schwaderer is an Assistant Professional at the Mirror Lake Golf Club. He comes to Canongate from Ohio where he has been involved in the golf industry for 15 years, 3 of which includes teaching. Ben has been playing competitive golf since the age of 8; including events on the Hooters Tour, Tarheel Tour and the Emerald Coast Tour. He believes that the key to making progress in golf one must rely heavily on the fundamentals: set-up, posture, and grip.
Steve Soriano, Instructor
Head Golf Professional
Braelinn
770-631-3100
ssoriano@canongategolf.com
Steve, a proud member of PGA, is the Head Golf Professional at Braelinn Golf Club. He has spent the last 13 years working with all levels of golfers while recently developing instruction programs at Don Veller Golf Course at Florida State University. He credits his successful approach to instruction with experience gained from assisting at The Mike Adams Golf Academy at PGA National and also the opportunity to work with Top 50 Instructor Dr. Gary Wiren. Steve enjoys working with the newest golfer and understands the importance of combining proper club fitting with instruction for the best results.
Tom Szymoniak, Instructor
Head Golf Professional
Summergrove
770-251-1800
tszymoniak@canongategolf.com
Tom is the PGA Head Golf Professional at SummerGrove Golf Club. He joined the Canongate team following four seasons as an assistant golf professional at the Atlanta Athletic Club. He stresses the fundamentals of the golf swing and the importance of the short game in his instruction. Tom enjoys teaching players of all skill levels and is eager to help Canongate members with their games.
Justin Tackett, Instructor
Head Golf Professional
Eagle Watch
770 591-1000
jtackett@canongategolf.com
Justin Tackett has worked at several golf facilities around the country. Hailing from Massachusetts, Justin has worked in Florida, New Mexico, and all over Georgia as a Golf Professional. Justin has worked his way through the golf business from the ground up from raking bunkers and cutting pins to being the lead instructor of many camps and clinics. He joined the Canongate team back in March 2007. He credits his teaching philosophy to his mentor, friend and Life Time PGA Member, Don Butzin and also Golf Digest’s 11th ranked instructor Manuel de la Torre, who is today’s leading proponent of Ernest Jones’ swing principles. Justin has learned the concepts and application of those concepts through study, observation and personal talks with Don Butzin and Manuel de la Torre. For a well-rounded, great experience and productive lesson, contact Justin Tackett at Eagle Watch Golf Club.
Charlie Thomas, Instructor
Head Golf Professional
Mirror Lake
770-459-5599
cthomas@canongategolf.com
A graduate of Georgia Tech and a four-year letterman on the golf team, Charlie was part of the 1985 ACC Champion Yellow Jacket squad that finished 12th nationally. Charlie has been employed with the Canongate Clubs for 18+ years, and has taught at Flat Creek, Braelinn, Canongate I, White Oak, Chapel Hills, and now Mirror Lake. Charlie's philosophy is to make the golf swing simple, like you see from the players on the PGA and LPGA Tours.