Peter's Bio

I am the GM/Head Golf Professional at the Minocqua Country Club located in northern Wisconsin. I have been there since the beginning of 2001 when the club re-opened following a complete two-year re-design, transforming it from an old nine-hole club into what is now regarded as one of the best courses in the entire state. Nothern Wisconsin, if you have never been there, is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, especially during the summer and fall. Lakes and forests prevail, and the area is largely un-developed, so if being outdoors in a natural setting is what you enjoy, then this is a place you must see.

The membership at our club is probably the main reason I have enjoyed my time there so much. These highly successful people still appreciate an unpretentious place to enjoy the game - it is not about what their business achivements are or who drives the shiniest car - it is about the quality of the experience and the enjoyment of all aspects of what a day at the club offers.

This all being said, I feel my approach to teaching golf meshes very well with my surroundings, and I also believe it is one in which most players can learn a lot from. We don't have an elaborate learning center, nor do I use a lot of video to teach, but I do encourage all of my students to make sure they know why they choose to play the game, and then taylor their learning styles and particular abilities to make it better. For the vast majority of golfers in the world, golf is supposed to be a life enhancer - a chance to get away form the normal routine and enjoy several hours having fun. So my approach is to simplify the game as much as possible, identify the root causes of problems, and work on each individual's natural abilities to make the game easier and more repeatable.

Several of the areas I pay particular attention to are:

• Feel (tension, grip pressure, awareness of the motion)
• Tempo & Rhythm (encourages the efficiency of the club and the player)
• Fitness (understanding our limitations AND abilities)
• Approach (thinking about the game, warm-up and routines, playing the course)
• Experimenting (trying things to learn about YOUR OWN game)
• Continual Learning (myself included - none of us are all knowing - keep learning more)

It is in these areas I feel we all can see the most immediate, the most lasting, and the most rewarding improvements. For example, if we improve our fitness to improve our golf game, it will also enhance our daily lives and make us feel better. If we continue to improve our hand-eye coordination in order to improve our feel, it no doubt will help with other areas of our lives as well. And, of course, if it is TRULY ENJOYABLE to spend the day at the golf course, it makes for an enhanced life experience. And who doesn't want that?

You will see throughout my articles that I encourage your comments and ideas. I REALLY DO LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU! One of the rewarding aspects of teaching golf is seeing the success in others. I believe this is why I initially chose to construct this site, because half of the year our club is closed and I am unable to do much teaching in person. So please use this site to help your game and to keep you thinking. And if there is any question you may have, let me help you find the answer. Remember to keep learning, because this is the essence of a lifetime of golf achievements. We never own the game; it owns us. But each year, each day, each round, and each shot we can see something we have never seen before. Enjoy and embrace this challenge, and the rest of the game will take care of itself.

Personal History

Born in August of 1972 in Buffalo, NY (therefore forever a die-hard Bills fan!)

Began playing golf at the age of 4, and haven't stopped since.

Varsity Golf Team 5-Years at Iroquios High School (Elma, NY) 12-0 - Junior & Senior Years

4-Years Varsity Golf Team at Ambassador University (Big Sandy, TX NAIA) Won the 1994 St. Edwards Invitational Tournament (Lost Creek CC in Austin, TX)

Worked at Crag Burn Golf Club (East Aurora, NY) since age 13 until moving to AZ. Began as a caddy, worked carts and bag rooms, and eventually moved into the golf shop).

Assistant Golf Professional at the Desert Mountain Club (Scottsdale, AZ) from 1994 - 2000.

Played Lead Guitar & Keyboards for band Sidewinder based in Phoenix, AZ from 1996 - 1999. Country Band played local clubs, private parties, and opened for several Nashville acts including Denna Carter, Mark Wills, Tracy Byrd, & Tracy Lawrence.

Head Professional & General Manager at the Minocqua Country Club (2001 - Present)

Married to wife Lisa. Sons Jackson (9), Ansen (7), and Kaeden (4).

Enjoys NFL football, NASCAR racing, hunting, and that crazy game called golf!