The Academy At La Cantera

Mike was born in Clovis, New Mexico in July 1962. He began playing golf at the age of five and had a very successful junior golf career. In high school, Mike was district medalist three times, named to the New Mexico All State Team three times, and tied for medalist honors his senior year. In 1980, Mike received a golf scholarship to Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico. He played on the golf team for four years while he studied business and physical education.

In 1985, Mike moved to Dallas, Texas to work at the TPC Course, home of the Byron Nelson PGA Golf Tournament. There he organized and led teaching operations of the junior golf programs and ladies and men's clinics for six years. Mike gained a great deal of knowledge and experience from such instructors as Byron Nelson, Ken Venturi, Bob Toski, Mike Dunaway, and Dr. Gary Wiren.

Mike moved to Austin, Texas in 1992 to help start the Harvey Penick Golf Academy as the Head Instructor under Bryan Gathwright, recognized as Golf Magazine's Top 100 Instructor's. Mike gained a great deal of invaluable teaching experience under the guidance of Harvey Penick. At Golfsmith, Mike also taught the Advanced Club Fitting Schools as the Head Instructor under the direction of Tom Wishon, world renowned golf club fitting and design expert. Mike specialized in "teaching the golf swing as it relates to club fitting."

In 1996, Mike moved to San Antonio, Texas to begin operations at the Academy at La Cantera, home of the Valero Texas Open. As the Head Instructor from 1996-2006 at the Academy at La Cantera, Mike was Head Instructor for Golf Digest Schools for five years. Mike was honored to spend time with Tim Mahoney, Mike LaBauve, and Gale Peterson, all Golf Digest Top 100 Teachers. Mike is a PGA member, and currently the Director of Instruction at the Academy at La Cantera.

When Mike is not playing or teaching golf, he enjoys spending time in the gym working out, and riding his mountain bike. Mike has a wonderful wife Lisa, a son Sean, and two daughters Keeley and Ashleigh.

In 2007, Mike was named in the Golf Digest instructor rankings for Texas at #17!