Learn and Engage

Keith Bennett

I am a golfer in every sense of the word. I live it, breathe it, and never stop thinking about it. I have spent the last 10 years of my life dissecting this game and then putting it back together again. I am constantly searching for ways to improve; even if it’s just 1 percent. I love to push my limits in competitive environments, but I equally enjoy a casual day on the course with friends. Golf has provided me with many amazing experiences and opportunities. This great game constantly teaches me valuable lessons that are applicable both on and off the course. In order to pay it forward, I spent my time at New Mexico State University garnering the education needed to attain my Class A, PGA certification. In my time at NMSU, I learned under two of the leading experts in club-focused golf instruction. This method of instruction catapulted my competitive career, as well as my desire to teach others. Mesmerized by the simplicity at which golfers improved under this method of instruction, I wanted to share it with as many people as possible. Additionally, I specialize in golf strategy and course management. I love to show golfers how to look at a golf hole and develop a strategy for success. I teach revolutionary course management concepts that have been proven at the PGA TOUR level and assimilate easily to every level of golfer.

Jeff Gove

Seattle native Jeff Gove is a longtime veteran of the PGA and Web.com Tours, with six professional wins and more than $3.8 million in career earnings. In the 2006 and 2007 seasons, Gove earned three top-10 finishes on the PGA TOUR and seven top-25s, placing among the top-150 golfers in the final 2007 FedEx Cup standings. Hear stories from Jeff’s years on Tour, and find out just what it takes to compete at the game’s highest level.

Evan Johnsen

Evan Johnsen started volunteering with The First Tee of Greater Seattle in 2009, and has been the Program Director since 2012. Evan is a PGA Apprentice with the Pacific Northwest Section and a Recognized Coach with The First Tee nationally. He grew up in Sammamish and attended Skyline High School prior to enrolling at Claremont McKenna College, where he was an All-American Scholar and competed in the Division III National Championships. Evan loves hiking, paddling, and the outdoors, but his greatest passion is fulfilling The First Tee mission to positively impact the lives of youth through the great game of golf.

Nate Schroeder

Nate Schroeder is the Director of Handicapping and Course Rating for Washington Golf. Nate has been on staff at Washington Golf since January 2014, and most recently was their Assistant Director of Rules and Competition before taking on his current role this year in leading the handicapping department. Nate graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2013 and spent a year as a USGA P.J. Boatwright Intern with the New York State Golf Association, before joining the WA Golf staff.

Brian Walley

Brian Walley is a Seattle native with over a decade of golf experience. The winner of the 2018 Outstanding Achievement in Instruction Award, Walley sas taught over 5,000 full-swing/short game lessons to all types of golfers, including multiple Golf Channel Amateur Tour winners. Walley graduated with top honors from The Golf Academy of America, and is a PGA Associate, a U.S. Kids Golf Certified Coach, and a 2018 Golf Digest Top 100 Club Fitter.

Wendy Ward

Wendy Ward is a long-time LPGA Tour veteran, who currently plays on the LPGA Legends Tour, the senior tour for female professional golfers. In a career spanning more than 20 years, Ward has earned more than $5 million in prize money, including four LPGA Tour wins. Ward has also earned top-five finishes in major championships four times, including a four-year stretch from 1998-2001 where she placed in the top-five at the LPGA Championship three times. A graduate of Arizona State University, Ward was a two-time Honda Award winner (given to America’s top collegiate women’s golfer) and won the 1994 U.S. Women’s Amateur. Stop by the main stage to hear stories from life on the LPGA Tour, and look forward to this year’s LPGA Legends Tour Suquamish Clearwater Cup at White Horse.

Ryan Young

A native of Mill Creek, Ryan Young played college golf at Whitworth University, where he earned the 2010 conference championship, the title of NWC Player of the Year, and a berth to the NCAA National Championships. He turned pro in 2012 and is now one of the top players in the PNW PGA Section. Since turning professional, Ryan has been recognized by his peers as one of Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Washington State in 2017-18. He also received the PNW PGA Section Player Development Award in 2016 and 2018, and Western WA PGA Chapter Awards for Player Development (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018) and Assistant Golf Professional of the Year (2015). Ryan is also a PGA Certified Professional in Teaching & Coaching and a Level 2 Coach for The First Tee. While not playing or teaching golf, Ryan enjoys playing the guitar, snowboarding, wake surfing and spending time in Seattle with his friends. You can follow Ryan on Twitter, @ryoung0123, or Instagram, @ryboy_pga.