Staff

David founded Chicago School of Golf in 2014.

David Maslen began his teaching career 15 years ago and since then has developed players at all levels. David has a unique teaching philosophy through learning from the best instructors in the world such as Mike Adams, Hank Haney, Stan Utley, Pia Nilsson, Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott

David is a certified Level 3 coach through Titleist Performance Institute in Golf Fitness and Junior Golf Development, a certified US Kids Golf Coach, a certified Bio Swing Dynamic Instructor, Hank Haney Level 1 Instructor, a certified Trackman Professional, and he has been certified and trained by Vision54 as a mental coach. Whether working with the elite player or the beginner that aspires to play, David develops an individualized lesson plan based on the player's biomechanics to build a golf swing fitting the individual's physique.

Through his continuing education, David implements the best methods to analyze each student's posture, gait, and movements.

David is known for developing a personalized mentorship program for junior students who are striving to become elite. David thrives on working with young students and believes training and developing programs for juniors is his passion. He understands that golf is much more than just a physical game but also a mental and emotional one. Using golf, he teaches his students to develop practical plans for dealing with their personal dilemmas, and ultimately achieving their goals for the game but more importantly, life.

Jake is the Director of Instruction for the Buffalo Grove / Wood dale locations at Chicago School of Golf.

Jake's career began at an early age of three. After a successful junior career, he went on to play golf for Robert Morris University. That is where he found his true passion for growing the game. After two years, he transferred to the Professional Golfers Career College in Orlando, Florida where he shadowed Core Golf Academy and Sean Foley. After graduating and moving back to the Chicagoland area he accepted a position as Head Golf Professional at HeatherRidge Golf Course.

After four years, he decided to take an opportunity as the First Assistant at Prestwick Country Club where he spent countless hours developing his skills as a golf instructor. Jake's family then moved to the northern suburbs and he began working at Kemper Lakes Golf Club as the First Assistant. This is where Jake realized he wanted to teach full time.

Jake's teaching philosophy is that he understands that all swings are different and require a unique approach to get the club into the right position. Over his career he has noticed that no two lessons are the same but all good players have one thing in common "impact". His primary focus is having fun while helping you play to your true potential.

Andy Fish, PGA 

Golf is a journey for life.

Golf is difficult and can be monumentally frustrating. It’s a journey up a mountain without a summit. 

The value of the game is in that journey and with a few physical, technical and mental skills anyone can enjoy the game in a meaningful and fulfilling way.

From beginners to professionals, there are individual keys for improvement. It might be a small skill that’s been overlooked or a part of your body that can be strengthened, and almost always, there’s a new perspective that can improve your game to new levels.

Education:

Carroll University BS Psychology

PGA Member since 2004

Vision54 Coaching Seminar

Stan Utley Pro Seminar

Jim Hardy Golf School

Hank Haney “Teaching the Teachers” 

Vision54 (Pia Nielsson, Lynn Mariott) Teaching Program

Worked at:

Bob O’Link Golf Club

Ozaukee Country Club

Maple Bluff Country Club 

Blue Mound Golf and Country Club

Joe joins Chicago School of Golf with 26 years of coaching experience. Joe spent his last five years as the Head Golf Professional at Maplecrest Country Club in Kenosha, Wisconsin. In his 26 years of coaching, he has helped thousands of golfers reach levels they could not dream of. He has had many Club Champions, college players, and beginners train under his tutelage. Joe's philosophy is Club Focus Instruction. He believes you must understand how the club should move through space and time to become a more consistent ball striker. He continually educates his students on club head movement through all three dimensions, as Joe says. "You must truly understand the concept to do it." Joe is also a stickler for the Fundamentals. He believes you must set up the same way every time to become more consistent. 

Joe's attention to small details is impressive. His students would say he is very engaging, encouraging, focused, and honest. Joe is a coach who will tell you when you do something great and when you need to do it correctly. He holds himself and his students to high standards; he will push you to achieve the goals you set.  

Joe has studied under the best in the world, Manuel De La Torre, David Pelz, and Hank Haney. He holds a certification under Hank Haney"s Associate Instructor program. Growing up on a golf course in Southeast Wisconsin helped Joe develop his skill and love for golf from an early age. He has since dedicated his life to studying and teaching the game of golf to golfers of all ages and skill levels.

Sidney is a Teaching Professional in Wood Dale at Chicago School of Golf.

Sidney Strong has been playing golf for over twenty years, and has loved the game since his very first swing. He's taken lessons from a variety of instructors, and continues to enjoy learning more about the swing and practicing new techniques.

With a strong desire to be a part of the golf industry Sidney worked part-time off and on at a Park District Golf Course, and then went on to work at Top Golf for three years when they opened their first Chicagoland Location in 2007, at Wood Dale, Illinois.

In 2010, Sidney opened his own indoor screen golf facility Stinger Golf in Oak Park,

Illinois, which he operated for several years. He was a true pioneer in the golf business, long before the current explosion of the industry.

Sidney is currently a certified USGTF teaching professional, in good standing since July 2015. He enjoys teaching golf, and has a considerable passion for helping people young and old.

His goal is to teach good fundamentals, rules, and most of all the enjoyment of the game.

Andrew Mendonca's journey in golf is impressive, from his successful high school years at Huntley High School to playing in various tournaments with notable achievements and competing on the World Long Drive Tour.

After attending College, he pursued a career in the golf industry while training and competing for the World Long Drive Tour/ Andrew reached an impressive ball speed of 210 mph and a personal best drive of 427 yards.

The Covid pandemic led to the discontinuation of the tour, which is when Andrew pursued his passion for teaching full-time.

Andrew’s approach to teaching is a positive one that encompasses the entire game.

His methodology is to discover what small adjustments can be made that will have the largest impact on his students. Currently, Andrew is continuing his education with the PGA of America.

Abhishek handles billing, scheduling, and data analytics at Chicago School of Golf. His expertise ensures accurate and efficient billing processes, optimal scheduling, and strategic decision-making. His ability to manage complex projects and strong communication skills have earned him the trust and respect of his clients and colleagues.

Abhishek's administrative philosophy focuses on ensuring efficiency and effectiveness tailored to the organization's needs. He believes successful operations require strategic planning and meticulous execution.

Away from work, Abhishek is passionate about sim racing. He spends a significant amount of time on his racing simulator, honing his skills and enjoying the adrenaline rush of high-speed racing. His dedication to sim racing mirrors his professional enthusiasm and determination.

Abhishek's journey as an administrative professional highlights his commitment to excellence and adaptability to the field's evolving demands. His role at the Chicago School of Golf showcases a unique blend of professional dedication and personal fulfillment.

Servicing Buffalo Grove / Northshore Students

Prior to joining the Body in Motion (current training facility for my golfers) Team in Buffalo Grove, IL, Greg worked for P.U.R.E. Golf in Skokie, IL and was the Lead Fitness Instructor for the Wildcat Junior Golf Academy at Northwestern University.

With Body In Motion he is continuing to gain valuable experience as a Golf Performance Coach working with accomplished high school, collegiate and professional golfers.

Previously, Greg worked as a Golf Performance Coach in St. Louis, MO. From 2003-2013, he gained valuable personal training and management experience with NutriFormance - an upscale training facility in the St Louis suburb of Ladue, MO., where he carved out a niche working with elite high school golfers (including 2 time individual Missouri State Champion Ross Millman - who earned a full ride to play at The University of Michigan), local competing amateur golfers, PGA Touring Professionals (Jay Williamson) and (Doug Ghim) and individuals that were Men's and Women's club championship winners at several known clubs such as St Louis Country Club, Bellerive Country Club, Old Warson Country Club, Boone Valley Golf Club and many others.

Servicing Chicago Students

After graduating with a degree in Exercise Science, Eric Ridings entered the fitness industry in 2012, starting at Equinox Fitness Clubs.

During his time there, he rose to the highest position available to trainers. Throughout his career, Eric has constantly pursued higher education in golf and human movement, including:

• Titleist Performance Institute Level 2 Fitness Coach
• Titleist Performance Institute Certified Power Coach
• Clinical Massage Therapist
• Functional Range Conditioning (FRC) Mobility Specialist
• Certified KinStretch Instructor
• Graston Certified Soft Tissue Therapist

Eric has worked with clients of all ages, needs and experience levels. With his detailed education background and over 8 years of experience, he is equipped to help any one realize their full potential.