RASPBERRY GOLF ACADEMY - Key Persons
David MacKenzie has been coaching golfers of all ages and levels from beginner to Tour pro for more than 15 years.
Originally from England, David attended the University of St. Andrews in Scotland where he competed on the golf team. Since then, David has dedicated himself to developing a holistic approach to golf coaching which includes the physical, technical, mental and emotional aspects of the game.
His philosophy on the golf swing is simple yet effective. His students learn how to build confidence in their game through:
Simple swing thoughts
A solid pre-shot routine
Visualization and feel
Mental and Emotional control
Course strategy
Effective practice
In addition to teaching at Virginia Golf Center, David runs his golf coaching website, Golf State of Mind (www.golfstateofmind.com). He has also written several books about how to implement his unique approach to the game.
Job Titles:
- Instructor
- Senior Staff Instructor
Meet the Pro: Fernando Martinez has been a top instructor in the Northern Virginia area since 1997. His work as an instructor began with certification at the Nicklaus Academy. He worked two years with the Nicklaus Academy before transferring to Mid-Atlantic Golf in Alexandria. His most recent post was Director of Instruction at Top Golf.
In the past seventeen years Fernando has given literally thousands of golf lessons. He has taught several club champions, a number of Juniors that went on to get golf scholarships and numerous students that went from high 90's to low 70's in an extremely short time frame.
Fernando started playing golf at age 31 and turned PRO in seven years. He has developed extensive knowledge of the golf swing, club fitting and Biomechanics. He is Golf Fitness Certified and fully understands physical limitations in golf. The key factor that has helped Fernando achieve at a high level has been his study of Biomechanics and how to simplify the golf swing by removing all excess moving parts.
Job Titles:
- Coach
- Senior Staff Instructor
Job Titles:
- Member of the Bull Run Instruction Team
- Bull Run Golf Club Head Professional
- Head Professional
Matthew Reise, PGA grew up learning to work and play golf in Pittsburgh, PA at Oakmont CC and Schenley Park GC, polar opposites in the worlds of public and private golf access. As an amateur Matt played many highly competitive tournaments and events. He rediscovered his love for the game during a move to California in 2006, from where he moved further West to Hong Kong in 2010, then on to Mainland China. In February 2014, Matt earned PGA of America Member status while studying entirely in The People's Republic of China. As a PGA Class-A Professional with National Certifications in K-12 Developmental Education, Matt established golf early-age and introductory-developmental programs within school curricula and in cooperation with multiple golf facilities and partners throughout the PRC.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Raspberry Falls Instruction Team
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Raspberry Falls Instruction Team
- Director of Academy
Richard Donegan recently became the 2011 Florida High School Golf Champion! Richard shot a 3-under-par 69 at the Mission Inn Resort & Club on Wednesday, November 3, 2011. He finished even-par 144 at the two-day tournament.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Bull Run Instruction Team
- Director of Women 's Programs
- Senior Staff Instructor
I first learned to play golf when I was 10 years old, and my first teacher was my father, but then I put my clubs down to ride horses and run track. Fast forward to college when I came home on Spring break, played again with my dad,I fell in love with the sport all over again! For the next 10 years I played off and on when I could, but, I was a cubicle dweller and didn't have much time to work on my game. As fate would have it, the recession came along in 2007-2008 and I was laid off with so many other people across the country. It turned out to be the best thing to happen to me! I was restless and not happy in the midst of the rat race. The recession gave me the chance to sit down and figure out what I wanted to do and the answer was golf! I moved back home, took a few ‘odd jobs' and worked on my game 6 days a week for almost 4 years! I combined fitness, strength training, lessons and countless hours of practice and repetition to improve my game. I was terrible for a long time. My dream was to become an LPGA Professional but I needed the game to match. I worked my way down from a handicap that was "off-the-charts-high" to a 2! In 2013 I moved to Northern Virginia, still following my golf dreams. Life is just like golf; there are hazards, bad breaks from good shots, incredible lows and then you sink that long putt or chip in for birdie and you are back in it! I completed all of the requirements to get my LPGA Teaching card in 2016. My journey wasn't done there though.
Now as a LPGA T&CP I am a scratch golfer. I know what it takes to make the necessary improvements to shave the strokes off of your game. What are your goals? What are your personal victories that you are looking to achieve on the course? I can help you find your personal best. Whether it is hitting the ball for the first time or it is shooting under par, let me help you improve your game, and take the next steps in your golf journey.
As part of The Raspberry Golf Academy Family I will be focused on The Birdie Belief Project, LPGA Girls Golf and Rounds With Robyn. These programs are designed to start, engage and retain women and girls into the game of golf! For more information on these programs please visit www.thebirdiebeliefproject.com or www.roundswithrobyn.com
Job Titles:
- Member of the Bull Run Instruction Team
Job Titles:
- Director of Junior and Group Programs
- Director of Student Development
Originally from the Northern Virginia area, Sang was a First Assistant at Fauquier Springs Country Club in the late 1990s. After getting married at Raspberry Farms in Leesburg, he and his wife Mary moved to South Florida in 1999 where he played in several mini-tour events. Over the last 12 years, he became a father of two and has turned his focus more towards teaching golf and growing the game. As one of the senior instructors at BallenIsles Country Club, a top 100 private club in the country, Sang has been teaching and developing juniors, beginners, accomplished juniors, and touring professionals at BallenIsles Country Club.Along with his playing skills where Sang has earned several top 10 finishes in the South Florida mini tours, he has developed several accomplished juniors who are now ranked in the AJGA. He has sculpted beginner junior golfers into nationally ranked golfers who have received college scholarships. Last year, Sang assisted in helping one of his students become the 2011 Florida High School Golf Champion! He has also recently been awarded the 2011 U.S. Kids Top 50 Teachers Honorable Mention. Sang has worked with touring professionals who made it to third stage Qualifying School for the LPGA. He also worked with Bruce Fleisher, a Senior PGA Tour Player and a 2001 U.S. Senior Open Champion and his grandson Jake. His client base at Ballenisles includes hundreds of repeat and satisfied members and non-members from beginners to advance.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Golf Professional
Job Titles:
- Member of the Bull Run Instruction Team
- Senior Staff Instructor
Philosophy: I believe people play golf for fun. Fun for you may be making a run at your club or state championship or it may be hanging with friends on a Sunday afternoon. There are about as many reasons for taking golf lessons as there are different types of swings. I will take into consideration your motivation for seeking lessons as well your body's capabilities when developing your instructional plan.