Ryan was born and raised in Marquette, Michigan residing there until the completion of high school.  After graduation from Ferris State University’s Professional Golf Management program, Ryan decided to make the move to St Louis, where he earned his PGA membership, and played competitive golf.  As a player, Ryan has won two professional events and a handful of other top finishes.  When injuries started to weigh heavily on his golf game, he turned his attention  to golf instruction so he could help others achieve their goals. 

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Before coming to Forest Hills Country Club, Ryan spent eleven years working at Bellerive Country Club where he was able to teach golfers of all abilities and run a successful junior golf program.  During that time, he was able to learn a great deal from Mike Tucker and Brian Fogt who have been his greatest mentors.  Brian Fogt has worked with Jack Grout (instructor of Jack Nicklaus) and taught at the David Leadbetter Academy.  He has worked with some great local players such as Adam Long, Scott Langley, Luke Guthrie and  Ellen Port.  Mike Tucker is one of the areas most sought after "short game specialists", and has played a vital role in helping Ryan understand the important aspects of teaching it.

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Ryan was fortunate to go visit and learn from the great Butch Harmon.  This was an invaluable part in helping Ryan develop a style of coaching that seems natural.  He believes each golfer should have some personal characteristics in their swing, but also stay close to the basic fundamentals to improve consistency.  By this he tries to approach each student differently and not match every person to one method.  

 

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Notable Individuals that have helped my teaching career.

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• ​Mike Bender

• Hank Haney

• Mike Malaska

• Jim McLean

• Mike Adams

• Joe Hallett

• Lou Guzzi

• Rob Akins

• Michael Breed

• Stan Utley

• Bill Moretti

• Todd Anderson

• Manuel de la Torre

• Craig Shankland

• Jerry Tucker