The Kendall Academy, along with Miles of Golf, provides both new and experienced players with top quality instruction, environment, facilities, and excellent customer service.
Our instructors are PGA or LPGA members or apprentices. All are trained, experienced, and qualified to provide excellent individual instruction.
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Staff Instructors
Dave Kendall
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Dave is generally regarded as one of Michigan's outstanding professionals. The recipient of the Michigan PGA's 2006 Golf Professional of the Year award, Dave was previously honored by the Michigan PGA as 2000 and 2004 Teacher of the year and 1990 Golf Professional of the Year. Dave has over 25 years of experience instructing players of all levels. In 2007, Golf Digest ranked Dave #4 in its list of top instructors in Michigan. Golf Range Magazine has included Dave in its Top 50 Instructors in America for the past four years. A Class A PGA member since 1981, he is also very highly regarded as a competitive player having won two Northern Michigan PGA Chapter Championships, two Chapter Player of the Year Awards and three Michigan PGA Pro-Pro Championships. In 2007, Dave won both the Michigan Senior Open and Michigan Senior PGA Championship. An unprecedented double. The insight he has gained through his many years of teaching experience along with his competitive background has given Dave a very practical approach to golf improvement. |
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Tom Tontapanish
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Tom has dedicated himself to becoming an outstanding teacher and player. He is the senior member of the instruction staff, having joined Dave in the spring of 1997. In 2007, Golf Digest ranked Tom #5 in its list of top instructors in Michigan. Since graduating from the University of Michigan in 1992, Tom has studied golf at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy and the Hank Haney Golf Ranch. Tom has also served as the Teaching Professional as Khao Kheow Golf and Country Club in Bangkok, Thailand. He has competed professionally both in Asia and the United States and is a Class A PGA Member. His outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to articulate ideas make him a tremendous instructor. |
Paul Haase
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Paul has been a Class A PGA member since 1975. He has been with the Kendall Academy since 1998 and was ranked as the 13th best instructor in Michigan by Golf Digest Magazine in 2007. Paul has primarily been a teacher and a driving range operator. He has had a great number of success stories over his many years of teaching and coaching his students. Prior to turning professional, Paul had a very distinguished record as a collegiate player. He has extensive experience as a competitive player over the years. Most recently, Paul qualified for the PGA Senior Tour's First of America Classic in 1998. In 2005, he won the Michigan PGA Senior Pro/Senior Am with student Bill Zylstra. His knowledge of the golf swing and short game techniques, experience in communication, and friendly manner make Paul an outstanding instructor. |
Scott Hayes
Club Fitting Specialist |
Scott joined the Kendall Academy staff full-time in 2003 after working at Miles of Golf as a club-fitter for 4 years. He was recently named the 12th best instructor in the state of Michigan by Golf Digest. He has extensive club-fitting knowledge and is an expert in driver launch monitor technology. Scott had a successful amateur career. He was All-State in high school and a 2-time GAM Honor Roll selection. Scott is a former captain and 4-year Varsity Golfer at the University of Michigan. He was the winner of the Inverness Intercollegiate in 2000 and was selected as top 50 in Golfweek’s NCAA national ranking. Since graduating from Michigan, Scott has played professionally all over the country in mini tour events and various state opens. He placed 5th in both the 2004 and 2005 Michigan Open Championships. Scott’s knowledge of the golf swing and golf equipment blended with his playing experience and informative teaching style makes him a valued member of the Kendall Academy staff. |
Tom Harding
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Tom is in his 3rd year with the Kendall Academy staff. He served as an Assistant Professional at both Meadowbrook Country Club and Egypt Valley Country Club, where he had extensive experience teaching beginners, juniors, and women. Tom is a highly accomplished player, having played on the Michigan State Golf Team prior to stints on the Australian, Canadian, Nationwide and Asian Tours. He played in the Buick Open in 1998 and 2003, and won the 1993 Canadian PGA. He was also named the Michigan PGA Player of the Year in 1997 and 2002, and has won the Michigan PGA, the Tournament of Champions and the Michigan Match Play twice. He has received advice on the golf swing from Mike Bender, David Leadbetter, Rick Smith and Jim Suttie. The insight Tom has gained from extensive playing experience make him a fine addition to the Kendall Academy staff. |
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Jeff Goble |
Jeff Goble, Senior Teaching Professional, joins the staff in 2007. He has been a PGA member for ten years and was recently recognized by Golf Digest as one of the “Top Instructors in the State” for 2007, coming in at # 3. He has also been a member of the Rick Smith Golf Academy “Top 25 Golf Schools”. Jeff returns to the area after nine years at Treetops Resort in Gaylord Michigan and Naples Florida. While at Treetops, Jeff was the Director of Instruction for the junior golf camps, a lead instructor for the ladies golf schools and a senior instructor for the Rick Smith Golf Academy. Jeff has nineteen years experience teaching all levels of play. His patience and enthusiasm create a great learning environment for all. In addition to being an accomplished player and teacher of the mechanics of the swing, Jeff's expertise also includes the effects of flexibility and equipment on the golf swing. Do you feel your body restricts you from reaching your potential as a player? Do you believe if you were more flexible you would be a better player? Have you tried to make swing changes without much success? If you knew how to gain 10 to 30 yards would you do it? Now is your chance. With a TPI session you will receive a personalized physical analysis, a golf swing analysis and your first eighteen fitness sessions exclusively formatted for you. These sessions are easily done in the comfort of your own home or with a recommended Physical Trainer. You can go at your own pace and see results in club head speed, consistent ball striking and you will get the benefit of feeling better at the same time. Jeff Goble is your Certified TPI Fitness Instructor and can get you started on your way to a better game. Prices start at $150.00 For more info email Jeff Goble at goblegolf@aol.com
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Nick Ma Instructor |
Nick Ma, Staff Instructor, comes to the Kendall Academy from Clearview Golf Club in Bayside New York where he served as General Manager. He has been a golf teacher for 13 years including stints as Head Professional at Pelham and Split Rock Golf Courses and Director of Golf at Mansion Ridge Golf Club in New York. Nick Developed the New York Golf Institute where he was owner/operator with a staff of six instructors and ran the New York City Parks & Recreation Golf Program. Nick is fluent in Korean and English and has been at the academy since the spring of 2006. His easy-going manner and ability to relate the complexities of the golf swing to simple everyday actions make Nick an excellent instructor. |
Sandy Wagner
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Sandy is a former member of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Division and she has more than 12 years of experience as a teaching professional. She is currently the Head Women's Golf Coach at Eastern Michigan University. Sandy served as Assistant Women's Golf Coach at the University of Michigan from 2000-2005 and was an integral part of the team's success at the conference and national level, including the Wolverines first trip to the NCAA Championships in 2002. She has extensive experience teaching adults and juniors of all levels, including three years at the Walton Golf Range where she organized the Pontiac Junior Golf Program. Sandy's professional playing experience includes top ten finishes in the Michigan Women's Open Championship in 2000 and 2001. Sandy was a threesport athlete at Ferris State University, graduating in 1991 with a degree in business management. Whether you are a recreational player who gets out a few times each summer or a serious golfer seeking to reach the peak of your game, Sandy looks forward to providing you with a fun learning experience that will help maximize your enjoyment of the great game of golf.
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Mon-Fri 9-9, Sat 9-7, Sun 10-6
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