Golf Professionals/Instructors
Curt Nelson
Take Private Lessons with Curt:
- 60-minute lesson: $120
- 45-minute lesson $90
- 30-minute lesson $60
2019 Winner – Midwest Section PGA Golf Professional of the Year!
2018 Winner – Midwest Section PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award! This award bestows special recognition on a PGA Golf Professional who personally displays outstanding integrity, character and leadership through a commitment to mentoring and making significant impacts on the careers of PGA Professionals.
Curt earned his PGA, Class A status in 1985. His esteemed career includes being Head Professional at Loch Lloyd Country Club (1995-1998), St. Andrews Golf Club (1998-2011), and now General Manager of the Overland Park Golf Division.
Curt is one of the region’s only PGA Master Professionals, which is the PGA of America’s highest status of membership, with less than 400 people achieving Master status since the program’s inception in 1969.
Curt’s focus is keeping the swing simple by using lines, angles and circles. He often utilizes techniques learned at the David Leadbetter Academy, the John Jacobs Golf School, and his time at the Teaching Summit with one of the all-time great instructors, Manuel de la Torre.
Jennifer Walker
Assistant General Manager, PGA – Overland Park Golf Division
Direct: (913) 890-1652
Take Private Lessons with Jennifer:
- 30 minutes $50
- 45 minutes $75
Small group lessons for 2-6 people – click here for pricing
2016 Winner – Midwest Section PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year
Jennifer has been with the Overland Park Golf Division since 2013 where she started as the Assistant Professional at St. Andrews. In November 2017, Jennifer was elected to her PGA Membership as a Class A Professional, and was promoted to Head Golf Professional. In January 2022, Jennifer was named Director of Golf over both Overland Park Golf Divison courses (St. Andrews and Sykes/Lady Overland Park Golf Club).
Jennifer’s father, a PGA professional himself has been highly influential in her playing the game and in her career as a Golf Professional. She started playing golf at the young age of two years old, and has been dedicated to the game ever since. Jennifer played collegiate golf on scholarship for the University of Kansas from 2007-2011.
Jennifer believes in learning why her students play golf and making sure they continue to enjoy the sport. Her focus is to give students a solid foundation and help progress their game by finding what works best for them. She especially enjoys teaching short game.
Rudy Juarez
Assistant Golf Professional – St. Andrews Golf Club
Take Private Lessons with Rudy:
- 30 minutes $40
- 45 minutes $55
- 60 minutes $75
Rudy Juarez is from Iowa, where he grew up playing the game of golf and spending lots of time at his local course during the summers. He has always loved spending time on the golf course, as well as time with his family and friends.
Rudy graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports and Recreational Management, with a Concentration in Business. Rudy moved to Overland Park in 2021 and was hired that year as an Assistant Golf Professional. Prior to working at St. Andrews, Rudy was a Sports Assistant at a Sports Complex in Iowa. Rudy is currently working through the PGA Associate Program to become a Class A PGA Professional.
Instructors
Garret Walker
PGA Director of Instruction – Overland Park Golf Division
Private Lessons with Garret:
- 30 minutes $60
- 45 minutes $90
- 60 minutes $120
Indoor Swing Evaluation with Garret
Game Changer Series with Garret
View Pricing for Small group lessons for 2-6 people
Garret has been teaching the game of golf for the past twenty years and enjoys coaching a wide variety of skill levels. His passion and direction lie in teaching and growing the game of golf.
Certifications
- Titleist Performance Institute Certified Level One
- Titleist Performance Institute Junior Level Two
- PGA of America – Certification in Golf Operations
Garret was born and raised in Pittsburg Kansas. He attended Baker University and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He has served as the First Assistant at Loch Lloyd and then Head Golf Professional at Brookridge, St. Andrews and most recently, The Jayhawk Club in Lawrence, KS. Garret was elected into PGA membership in 2008 while working under his mentor Michael Ricket at Indian Hills Country Club in Mission Hills, Kansas. Garret is an avid Jayhawks fan and enjoys spending time with his wife, Jennifer, and three sons, Liam, Pierce and John.
JB Kim
2022 Midwest Section PGA Senior Championship – 1st Place!
2020 & 2018 Winner – Midwest Section PGA Teacher of the Year
Read the Article featuring JB in Tee Times Magazine April 2023
JB has been teaching and coaching golf since 2000. He works with golfers of all skill levels, including players competing at the highest levels of professional, collegiate, and high school golf.
Group Lessons with JB:
Adults:
- Bunker Lessons – NEW Class for 2024!
- Short Game Clinic at Sykes/Lady
- Swing Analysis
Juniors:
- Girls Tryout Camp (ages 13-17)
- Jr Short Game Clinic at Sykes/Lady (ages 10-17)
- Learn To Play (ages 8-13)
- OP Junior Camp (ages 8-13)
Take Private Lessons with JB:
Adults:
- One-hour lesson: $120
- Half-hour lesson $60
Juniors:
- One-hour lesson: $120
- Half-hour lesson $60
- (10) Half-hour lessons $600
- (20) Half-hour lessons $1100
- One-hour AimPoint Putting Lesson: $150
JB’s impressive credentials:
- The First PGA Certified Instructor in the State of KS
- Students won 30+ junior tournaments in the past 5 years
- Elite Performance System Asian Director
- Black Belt at Martial Arts
- Served Korean military for 3 years as Special Forces
- Head Golf Instructor at Sykes/Lady Overland Park Golf Course
Certification:
- AimPoint Certified Coach
- PGA American Development Model
- SNAG Certified Coach
- First Tee Certified Coach
- US Kids Golf Certified Coach
- TPI Junior and Golf Mechanics Level 2 Certified Coach
- PGA Teaching and Coaching
Noticeable Students:
- Ryan Lee/AJGA Winner
- Yoo Kim/LPGA, Korean National Team Member
- Min Seo Kwak/LPGA
- Marcus Kemp/NFL Player
- Jeff Wolfert/NFL Player
- Tim Woodson/Professional Poker Player
JB works with golfers of all skill levels under 5 Laws:
- Clubhead path
- Position of clubface
- Centeredness of contact
- Angle of attack
- Clubhead speed
Philosophy: “I do not believe in one way to swing a club. But I do believe there is one efficient way for every player to swing and it is based on what the player can do.”
He is very involved with my game the last 8 years and always hands on at my lessons. He is always concerned with my game and willing to help when I am struggling. With his knowledge, I finished top 4 at US Kid World Championship in 2017 and won 4 tournaments in 2019, including the State Championship as a freshman in 2019. I am so honored to be the winner of the AJGA Tournament and Midwest Section PGA Student Athlete in 2020. Thank you coach JB!
Ryan Lee (Pembroke Hill High School)
Jb has great eyes for swing mechanic and gives quick and easy ways to make adjustments to get rid of undesirable movements. He can coach the basics as well as fine tune for advanced golfers.
Jeff Wolfert (former NFL player)
I have worked with JB for the past 5 years. JB has helped me improve my swing mechanics, making my swing more consistent and repeatable. We have worked together on everything from driver, to mid-irons, to scoring wedges to putting. I especially find his insights during a video swing analysis helpful. If you are new to the game, or an experienced player, I have no doubt JB can advance your game to the next level!
Scott Strohm (Partner at Shook, Hardy & Bacon)
Gianna Augustine
PGA Instructor
2024-2025 – Named one of the Best Teachers in Kansas by Golf Digest
Winner – 2022 Midwest Section PGA – Player Development Award
Winner – 2021 LPGA Central Section Junior Leader Award
Group Instruction with Gianna will resume in the first quarter of 2024. Registration will open early 2024.
- Junior Group Lessons: School’s Out Clinics, PeeWee Golf, Operation 27, Girls Golf, Kids Academy
- Adult Group Lessons: Golfing Gals, Intro to Ladies Golf, Next Level Ladies, Players Choice Clinics
Please join our E-Club to be first to know when registration opens!
Background:
Gianna Augustine (formerly Misenhelter), or as we like to call her, Coach G, is an Overland Park native. Gianna’s passion for the game, competitive golf knowledge, ability to set and accomplish goals and training is something she hopes to instill in her students to take their golf game to the next level!
In High School, at St. Thomas Aquinas, Gianna won three individual Kansas State High School Championships. Going undefeated in her sophomore year led her to winning 29 of 35 high school tournaments over the course of her 4 years. She was selected as a National High School Golf Coaches Association All-American in 2009.
Other junior golf highlights include winning two Kansas Amateur Championships, qualifying for eight USGA Championships (2 US Girls Juniors, 2 US Women’s Amateurs, and 4 US Women’s Amateur Public Links), and making it to matchplay at the 2011 US Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship at Bandon Dunes.
One of Gianna’s favorite junior golf memories was competing with hometown hero, Tom Watson, in the 2009 Walmart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links. The duo finished 11th in an impressive field of Champions Tour players and juniors alike.
Gianna went on to play collegiate golf at Kansas State University from 2010-2014. While at Kansas State, she competed all four years as the top performer, with the lowest scoring average, and was a member of the traveling team for all 44 events played. After graduation she worked her way through LPGA Qualifying school, obtaining status on the LPGA Symetra Tour.
Gianna continues to compete in local and national events through the many opportunities PGA has to offer. In 2022, Gianna was the Midwest Section PGA Women’s Player of the Year. Notably, Gianna was the first ever female to compete in the Watson Challenge. While staying competitive is important to her, her passion lies in growing golf and to elevate her students to achieve their own success stories.
Personal
Gianna was married in 2016 to her husband, Adam. They met playing golf at Colbert Hills, being paired together with a mutual friend. They are happy to call Overland Park home and be close to family and friends.
To read a featured article about Gianna from the BIG XII click here.
Tony Roberts
PGA Instructor – St. Andrews Golf Club
Take Private Lessons with Tony: 45 minutes for $75
Tony has been a golf professional since the late 1970’s, breaking into the business with Landmark Land Company, working at their prestigious private clubs in La Quinta and Carmel Valley California. His career has taken him to Head Golf Professional positions in our area at WinterStone Golf Course in Independence and at the Greg Norman designed Stone Canyon in Blue Springs.
Tony has served as Director of Instruction for the City of Kansas City, MO golf courses as well as Director of Golf for the Overland Park Golf Division. Tony was named the Midwest Section PGA Teacher of the Year in 2001, and as PGA Director of Instruction in 2014 he lead one of the Golf Division’s most successful instruction seasons ever. Tony retired as PGA Director of Golf at St. Andrews in 2019 and now serves as a PGA Instructor for the Overland Park Golf Division.
Liz Smart
LPGA Lifetime Member
Take Private Lessons with Liz:
45 minutes $75
Buy 5, get the 6th lesson FREE ($375)
Small group (2-6 people) and on-course playing lessons are available and can be designed to fit your needs.
Liz has enjoyed a long, illustrious career with the game of golf. Liz began her LPGA career in 1987, earned her LPGA Professional Tour card in 1989, and even competed in the USGA US Women’s Open in 1991. Finally in 1997, Liz directed her career to her top desire: teaching golf.
Learning the game from local great Stan Thursk, Liz’s teaching approach is “student centered.” Liz explores each person’s ability and comprehension, while making each student feel comfortable and at ease while learning the game. Her students often comment that the enthusiasm and personality Liz incorporates into each class greatly enhances their experience.
Liz is a very active person who loves sports and being outdoors. She strives to be proficient in everything she does. Liz says that even though she was athletic and golf came pretty naturally to her, in order to get better she had to practice – which wasn’t her favorite thing to do. She credits her mother with encouraging her, and sometimes making her go to practice. Liz discovered that, especially with golf, once she worked hard at it and became proficient in the sport, it became less about work and more about enjoyment of the game. As a golf instructor, because of her desire to do her best, her goal is for her students to find a similar sense of achievement and enjoyment.
While golf is her passion, she has many other interests that also keep her active. Liz is an impressive bowler. Her average score is 187, with 276 being her best score ever! Currently, she plays in a bowling league with a team called the “Bowling Golfers”, which is a group of golfers from the Sykes/Lady Overland Park Golf Course ladies league. She likes meeting new people and socializing. She also enjoys fly fishing, working out, biking, archery and water skiing, just to name a few. Other interests include wine tastings, traveling to wineries and breweries and concerts. She is involved in the cat fostering program with Great Plains SPCA. If you take lessons with Liz, you will not have trouble finding something to talk about with her! And if you already frequent our golf course, you may have even seen her around in her “trademark” floppy hat.
Golf & Grounds
Doug Melchior (pictured right) being presented the HAGCSA Chester Mendenhall Award by 2021 HAGCSA President, Brent Stephenson (left). Photo courtesy of Tee Times Magazine
Left to right: Marc Szablewski, Superintendent – St. Andrews Golf Club; Doug Melchior, Manager, Golf & Grounds – City of Overland Park; Tom Storey, Superintendent – Sykes/Lady Overland Park Golf Club
Doug Melchior
2021 – Awarded the Chester H. Mendenhall Award by the Heart of America Golf Course Superintendents Association
Doug was born in Amarillo, Texas and has lived in Kansas since age 5. After attending Shawnee Mission West High School, he went to KU for two years before transferring to KSU where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, with an emphasis in Horticulture.
Doug has worked for the Overland Park Golf Division – City of Overland Park since 1992, starting as an intern for two summers. He worked his way up from Golf Course Attendant I & II, to Sr. Golf Course Attendant, and has served as Manager, Golf & Grounds – City of Overland Park since March 2015. He has been a GCSAA member since 1994 and a HAGCSA member since 1995.
Doug was awarded Superintendent of the Year in 2006 and went on to serve two terms as HAGCSA President in 2010 and 2011.
Doug has two boys: Carter and Carson. Doug enjoys the game of golf, being outdoors, spending time with his 2 sons, grilling and smoking BBQ.
Left to right: Marc Szablewski, Superintendent – St. Andrews Golf Club; Doug Melchior, Manager, Golf & Grounds – City of Overland Park; Tom Storey, Superintendent – Sykes/Lady Overland Park Golf Club
Marc Szablewski
In January of 2018, Overland Park Golf Division announced that Marc Szablewski has been promoted to Superintendent, St. Andrews Golf Course.
Marc is a graduate of Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and an emphasis in Golf Course Management. Marc has been with Sykes/Lady Overland Park Golf Course since 2008, serving as Golf Course Attendant I and II, Senior Golf Course Attendant, and most recently, Assistant Golf Course Superintendent. Prior to Sykes/Lady Overland Park Golf Course, he worked for Meadowbrook Country Club in Prairie Village and Red Rock Country Club in Las Vegas. Marc is a member of both the HAGCSA and GCSAA.
Marc is excited about the opportunity to use his knowledge and experience in his new role as the Superintendent at St. Andrews and continuing his career with the City of Overland Park.
2016 Assistant Superintendent of the Year by HAGCSA
Left to right: Marc Szablewski, Superintendent – St. Andrews Golf Club; Doug Melchior, Manager, Golf & Grounds – City of Overland Park; Tom Storey, Superintendent – Sykes/Lady Overland Park Golf Club
Tom Storey
2019: Winner of the Superintendent of the Year Award – GCSAA, Heart of America Chapter
Raised in a small town (Rockwell) in North Central Iowa, Tom graduated from Rockwell-Swaledale High School in 1993. After High School, he attended Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa and later went on to obtain his Bachelors of Science Degree from Iowa State University, majoring in Turf Management.
Tom spent eights years at Wakonda Club in Des Moines, Iowa as an Assistant Superintendent from 1998-2006 and three years as the Superintendent at Spencer Golf & Country Club in Spencer, Iowa from 2006-2009. He moved to Olathe to be the Superintendent at Metcalf Ridge Golf Course in Louisburg, Kansas from 2010-2015. In March of 2016, he became one of the Assistant Superintendents here at Sykes/Lady Overland Park Golf Course, where he was promoted to Superintendent in June 2018.
Hobbies: Loves golf, Minnesota Twins Baseball, Iowa Hawkeyes, Minnesota Vikings and fishing.
Banquets at St. Andrews
Justin Hohl
Justin has been in the golf industry since 1997, starting at the age of 13 as a caddy at Flint Hills National in Wichita.
Justin graduated from KU with a Business major in 2005. After college, he worked at Wolf Creek Golf Club in Olathe for five years as the Director of Food and Beverage. He then worked for Troon Golf Management Company and O.B. Sports in Scottsdale, AZ for five years. Most recently, Justin served as the Club Manager for Pinetop Country Club in Pinetop, AZ.
He currently serves as the Director of Food and Beverage for Sykes/Lady and St. Andrews Golf Clubs in Overland Park.
Amanda Schroeder
Born and raised in Olathe Kansas, Amanda received her degree in Interior Design where her passion for design grew into a love for event planning. Amanda has gained a variety of experience in the Hospitality and Event and Design industries and has been trusted by clients and superiors.
Amanda believes events should be all about the presentation and guest experience. Her attention to detail and passion for stylish trends fuel her desire to make every event special no matter what the occasion. Amanda continues to apply, practice and learn new skills to put forth in networking while building positive business relationships.
Outside of work, Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband, two children and loves snuggling up with her two dogs Finn and Hershey. When not at her kids soccer games, she enjoys attending Sporting KC soccer games every opportunity she has.
Club 27 Restaurant at Sykes/Lady Overland Park Golf Club
Justin Hohl
Justin has been in the golf industry since 1997, starting at the age of 13 as a caddy at Flint Hills National in Wichita.
Justin graduated from KU with a Business major in 2005. After college, he worked at Wolf Creek Golf Club in Olathe for five years as the Director of Food and Beverage. He then worked for Troon Golf Management Company and O.B. Sports in Scottsdale, AZ for five years. Most recently, Justin served as the Club Manager for Pinetop Country Club in Pinetop, AZ.
He currently serves as the Director of Food and Beverage for Sykes/Lady and St. Andrews Golf Clubs in Overland Park.
Levi Oesterle
Chef Levi is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy (Le Cordon Bleu) in San Francisco. In 2006 he started his career at the Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa for three years. He moved on to Oro Valley Country Club as Sous Chef for two years, then worked as the Head Chef under Troon Golf Management at Pinetop Country Club in Pinetop, AZ for seven years, winning Iron Chef Pinetop two years straight, and being part of a team of chefs catering for Ferarri VIP at Formula One in Austin, TX. He recently moved to Kansas City to be closer to his two siblings and niece. He joined Club 27 Restaurant at Sykes/Lady Overland Park Golf Club in November 2019 as Executive Chef.
Taylor King
Head Restaurant Manager
Taylor began working with Sykes/Lady & St. Andrews in 2011 on the beverage cart and in the snack shack throughout college. She graduated from the University of Missouri in 2015 with a degree in Hospitality Management and first worked for the Kansas City Marriott Downtown for one year before she decided to take her career in a different direction. She then worked as a sales representative for Russell Stover Chocolates for five years and bartended at Club 27 Restaurant part-time when it opened in 2019. The 2020 pandemic then put things into perspective for her, giving her the courage to switch paths, follow her passion for hospitality and find a more fulfilling career. She accepted the Restaurant Manager role at Club 27 in 2021 and has never looked back. Taylor loves the team she works with, the people she has had the chance to meet, and the staff she has the opportunity to lead. Taylor has grown a lot not only professionally, but personally as well and she looks forward to continuing to grow with Club 27.