Our Teaching Professionals
Whether you are a beginner looking to learn the game, a mid-handicapper who needs to work on technique, or a scratch player wanting the perfect swing, our Golf Professionals can help you take your game to the next level.
Gift certificates for lessons are available for purchase in the Golf Shop. We offer 30 & 60 minute lessons, as well as 9 & 18-hole playing lessons.
Jim Meyers, Director of Golf, PGA has been in the Valley since 2002. He has over 20 years of experience in the golf industry as a PGA Professional, managing golf operations and instructing students. Jim spent nine years as an Assistant Professional here at McCormick Ranch before pursuing an opportunity at Moon Valley Country Club, where he spent five years as the Director of Golf Operations. He has since returned to McCormick Ranch and is currently the Director of Golf.
Jim believes each student is different and tailors his approach to fit the needs of the individual. Jim’s core philosophies are to help students gain a better understanding of the basic fundamentals of the golf swing while also building confidence and consistency in their game. Jim works hard with his students to set achievable goals and also believes there is no substitute for actually playing the game of golf.
Jim enjoys spending time with his wife Wendy and rooting for Pittsburgh sports teams, as he is originally from that area. He loves golf and plays regularly to keep his game sharp.
Sam Funovits, Head Golf Professional was raised by a PGA golf professional, and spent the majority of his summers at the golf course. After moving to Minnesota, he started working at Blackberry Ridge Golf Course as Players Service Staff and worked his way up to Pro Shop Manager. His experience teaching golf and assisting in junior golf camps led him to pursue a degree in Elementary Education at Saint Cloud State University. His love for the game and passion for teaching brought him down to Scottsdale where he plans on continuing his golf career.
Whether it is your first lesson or you just need a slight tune-up, Sam teaches all ages and skill levels. His easygoing, patient coaching style will help strengthen your mental game as well as your golf game. Every player is different, so Sam focuses on fundamentals and cultivating good habits. He will listen to you and work with you to set and achieve attainable goals.
Dan Jones, Group Golf Manager graduated from Sacramento High School, UC Riverside and the Golf Academy of America, and has dedicated over 22 years of service to McCormick Ranch. As Group Golf Manager, Dan aims to provide your group with the best possible experience. From the initial booking to the completion of the event, he maintains a positive and high level of service.
As an instructor, Dan is patient and understanding with a friendly demeanor. By emphasizing the basics of golf, his goal is to make this game “fun” for all abilities. Away from the course, he loves spending time with his wife Jennifer, and their two children, Jensen and Eden.
Pete Rogers was born and raised outside of Allentown, PA and moved here in 2007 to join the McCormick Ranch team. Since then he has risen to the position of First Assistant. A self-taught golfer, he learned how to play in High School, was the #1 golfer his senior year and later played in college for York College of Pennsylvania. While at York and working at a golf resort, Pete realized he can turn his passion for golf into a career and began his life as a Golf Professional.
Pete teaches players of all skill levels and excels in short game. “My philosophy is that anyone can play the game of golf, it's what makes golf so much fun and great for people of all ages. I use my knowledge of the golf swing along with other movements used in other sports to make the swing as simple as possible. My favorite part of the game to teach is short game because it's the part of the game that anyone can master as long as they know the proper techniques.”
Chris Blystone was born and raised on the central coast of California and moved to the valley in 2010 to attend ASU. After a brief time back in California following graduation, he returned to Arizona to continue pursuing his career in golf. Chris was an accomplished junior and high school player who had success competing in various events throughout the west coast. Chris is using his knowledge of competitive golf and is redirecting his passion towards instruction and helping to grow the game of golf.
Chris believes that anybody can develop the correct fundamentals to create a repetitive swing that will make the game more enjoyable. Regardless of age and skill level, Chris is willing to help improve any facet of your game. He understands how tough it can be to learn the game, but is patient and creates a comfortable atmosphere for students to grow and achieve their goals.
Michael Davis was born in Kahuku, HI on the island of Oahu and has lived all over the United States before making Phoenix his home. Starting as an Assistant Golf Professional at Blackhawk CC in Madison, WI over 20 years ago, his golf experience continued caddying professionally on the LPGA tour for 5 years including helping former ASU golfer Jimin Kang to her first LPGA win. Michael then earned his Mechanical Engineering degree at ASU and was distracted by space travel working for Honeywell Aero/Defense before coming back to earth and working as a design engineer at Cure Putters.
While working as an engineer Michael co-wrote and published 'The Science of Putting' and realized that his passion truly lay not just in golf, but in its instruction and education.
Michael has particular passion and expertise for teaching putting, the short game and course management while offering instruction for all aspects of the game to players of all skill levels and ages. With mental fortitude, practice and fundamentals at the core, he embraces the opportunity that golfers are all individuals and have unique paths to their specialized goals. Michael believes that patience, dedication and understanding are the path to success for instructor and student alike.
Nick Barendrick was born in Scottsdale, Arizona and was raised by a PGA professional. He grew up playing baseball and made it all the way to the collegiate level. After baseball, Nick found a passionate love for the game of golf and dove in head first. He started in player services at McCormick Ranch GC while finishing his Bachelor’s Degree in sports business at ASU. Shortly after graduation, he quickly realized he wanted to pursue a career in the golf industry and made the move into the golf shop to work as an assistant golf professional.
Nick believes anyone can be great at the game of golf with the right determination and mindset. His background in athletics will help him create a game plan that will take your game to the next level and help you attain your personal goals. Nick will work with you to simplify the game and help you understand the fundamentals of the golf swing. His easy-going and fun approach to the game fits in with players of any age and skill level.