Roland Stafford Golf Schools
 
golf professionals
 

Golf Professionals make the difference.
The Golf Professionals at the Roland Stafford Golf School are selected not only on their playing and shot making ability but also on their communication skills, experienced eye and compassion. The emphasis has always been on quality golf instruction.

Roland and Susan Stafford established the school 26 years ago with a clear focus and goal.  “We knew we could create a pre-eminent school wrapped around the Roland Stafford Teaching Method.  Roland had his Masters in Education before he became a Golf Professional. He has created a unique approach unduplicated by anyone. Golf critics and experts alike say we have achieved our goal.”
Susan Stafford turned Golf Professional at age 31 under the mentorship of her late husband, Roland. She is an accomplished golfer having played on the Mini Tour and graduating from the PGA business school in 1987. Susan's success as a golf professional is abbysecond only to her entrepreneurial instinct. The Roland Stafford Golf School owes it longevity and continuous high quality standards to her leadership and vision. She is acknowledged as a respected business innovator in the area of golf school management and quality golf education delivery systems. Abby, Susan's Australian Shepherd , is a herding dog and has been seen trying to round up the golf carts.
Tom Williams, PGA Professional since 1988. As a teenager, Tom played on both his high school and college teams. Working as an assistant professional in country clubs, Tom developed a keen interest in golf instruction. Following this interest Tom came to work for the school and under Roland's guidance his teaching skills developed to make him one our most valuable instructors. He also has a creditable playing record winning chapter and sectional events and continues to compete on the mini tour. Tom is an avid collector of golf clubs and memorabilia.  
 
  Colin Fraser, turned Golf Professional in 1991 but not until after several achievements as a junior player in Scotland his native land. Colin won the Scottish Junior Championship (under 16) twice, Scottish Champion (under 18), represented Scotland in Home and European International Championships, represented Great Britain and Ireland in European Championships, and was the Scottish Stroke Play Champion. Roland recognized his talents immediately as a golfer and a teacher. His charm and sincerity are refreshing and his heritage evident with that Scottish brogue.
 
  Rich Bowie, PGA Professional since 1991. Rich is a man of many talents. He has a creditable playing record with a course record in 1979 and tied another at the Ballston Spa Country Club in 1990 where he worked as the First Assistant Professional. He has also scored several top ten finishes in his sectional events. Rich has a Master's Degree in Music Composition and taught in the public school system for 14 years. He joined us in 1993 and then attended school for fitting and assembling golf clubs. He's the man to see if you need equipment or having problems with your tempo.
  Bob DePuyts' longtime passion for a PGA teaching career began in 2001 when he entered the PGM program of the PGA. Starting as an assistant pro and soon promoted to director of golf, he worked with Life Time PGA Member and Stafford School Instructor Dennis Bradley while learning Roland's teaching methods. Bob brings the same work ethic, enthusiasm and communication skills that he utilized as an executive for US, Japanese and European companies. Playing golf for over 45 years, Bob has solid understanding of swing mechanics and clever method of communicating changes. Bob is the Director of Instruction at our Bristol Harbour School in Canandaigua, NY.
  Bill Brander, PGA Professional. Bill has been teaching golf at Heritage Hills since March of 2000 and prior to that he taught at Middletown Country Club under PGA Golf Director of both facilities, Don Beardsley.  His teaching philosophy mirrors that of the golf school by keeping the instruction as simple as possible and frustration at a minimum.  Bill’s background includes the U.S. Air Force, a Bachelor's Degree in Business, U.S. Postal Service, and coaching Little League Baseball.  When he’s not on the golf course he may be on the tennis court.  He is an accomplished athlete, but has the sensitivity of a poet with over 20 poems to his credit and now working on a book.
 
  Kristen Garraghan was born and raised a chip shot away from the golf course where the fairway was her playground. In addition to Kristen’s playing ability, Susan discovered her enthusiasm, compassion and patience in teaching the game of golf.  She encouraged Kristen to turn professional and join the ranks of the Roland Stafford Golf School, which she did in 2006.  Kristen focuses on having a positive attitude and keeping it simple when teaching others the basics of golf.  Add in her sense of humor and these are the gifts she employs to get each individual to relax, enjoy and retain the fundamentals of the golf she teaches.  When not teaching Kristen can be found working on her game or playing as many holes as she can squeeze in before the sun sets!
 
 

Knut Zywietz has a passion for golf unsurpassed by anyone.  When not teaching he can be found on the course or in practice areas.  His demeanor is one of patience and attentiveness and students recognize the sincerity in his efforts to make them better golfers, which he does. As a former World Cup freestyle skier, Knut has had 25 years of working with people to improve their athletic skills.  He may also be able to answer a couple of your computer questions, he holds a Bachelor Degree in computer science.
 
           
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