The Villages Golf Academy - Instructors

Maria Brooks, LPGA Teaching Professional

Maria is a Lead Instructor with The Villages Golf Academy and is originally from Lockport, NY. She is a Class A member of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Division and started her teaching career in the New Hampshire seacoast area in 1993. Maria enjoys teaching all skill levels and communicates the golf swing in a simple and enjoyable manner. Maria moved to The Villages in December of 2005 to join The Golf Academy where she teaches the New to Golf School as well as private lessons. Maria’s believes that each individual student must strive to swing within their natural abilities at a pace that compliments their structure and limitations. Maria excels at creating a wonderful learning environment on the lesson tee through her enthusiasm, patience and commitment to her students.

Sandra Chester, LPGA Teaching Professional

Sandra is a Class A Member of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Division bringing over 18 years of experience to the Villages Golf Academy at Nancy Lopez Legacy Country Club. For twelve seasons, Sandra has been given the distinct honor of being selected among some of the most decorated instructors in the country to teach at Peggy Kirk Bell’s Golfari Golf School in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Sandra has the unique ability to relate to both the new and veteran player as she is a seasoned competitor. Sandra won her first collegiate tournament and qualified to play in five LPGA tour events during her amateur career and went on to compete professionally on the Futures Golf Tour for nine seasons. Sandra is TPI certified by the Titleist Performance Institute and holds a BA degree in Parks and Recreation Management from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW). She was a member of the Women’s Golf Team at UNCW and received several awards including MVP and Sportsmanship Awards during her tenure.
Sandra enjoys teaching students of all ages and skill levels and is dedicated to excellence and professionalism. Her goal is to facilitate the learning experience by communicating complex ideas into concepts that are easy to understand and apply. She believes in building the swing utilizing the pre-swing fundamentals of grip, alignment, and setup. Sandra lives in the Village of Largo and looks forward to serving all of you from inside and around the Villages.

Craig Griffin, PGA Teaching Professional

Craig Griffin is a Lead Instructor and teaches group and private instruction for The Villages Golf Academy. He moved to Florida from Fort Worth Texas and currently resides in Orlando. Craig has been in the golf business for 14 years and has been a Class A member of the PGA since 1998. Craig spent a year and a half caddying on the PGA Tour for Mark O’Meara and David Gossett and coached PGA Tour Player Robert Gomez helping him break his 15 year winless streak with a win at the Texas Open in 2005. Craig enjoys working with players of all skill levels and believes that good set up fundamentals along with proper motions are the path to playing consistent golf.

Bill Heron, PGA Teaching Professional

Bill Heron is an Instructor at The Villages Golf Academy and a native of Scranton, Pennsylvania. He is a Class A member of the PGA of America with 20 years of experience in the golf industry. Bill believes a proper set of fundamentals and a repetitive pre shot routine are essential to a consistent golf game.

Joey HiDock, PGA Teaching Professional

Joey HiDock is a dedicated PGA member with over 25 years teaching experience. Through his extensive teaching experience he has had the privilege of working with many of the best players in the world. He has been fortunate to have worked with some of the best teachers Nancy Lopez, Phil Rodgers, Kathy Whitworth and currently Fred Griffin. Joey's strengths as an instructor were also evident on tour where he caddied for Tom Lehman. His tremendous research and dedication helped to assist in the development of SwingModel, a leading sports Science company based on the application of Biomechanical research to the teaching of athletic performance. SwingModel's method of applying research to teaching is based on the premise that in order to perform any sport, one should try to emulate the best in the world at that particular sport. Joey's core strengths are the ability to motivate people about their golf game and his passion for teaching the game. He strives to deliver the best instruction while focusing on delivering his exceptional interpersonal skills to each and every student. Currently Joey is ranked one of the Top 20 Instructors in the State of Florida by Golf Digest. He is also ranked as one of US Kids Golf Top 50 teachers. Plus he is ranked Top 50 Teachers with EasternGolf. He is a frequent guest speaker for the PGA of America and LPGA T&C events around the country. Joey is most proud to have developed and lead the charge for the Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital program "Putting on Smiles"

Bob Intrieri, PGA Master Professional

Bob is a PGA of America member for 40 years. He is the 31st Master Professional in the history of the Association and is celebrating 24 years of that honorable status. Bob is the 2009 Florida State Senior Honoree chosen by his peers for contributions to the game, the PGA and his recognized playing ability. During his tenure at Penn State University, he organized and implemented the PGA Golf Management Degree. Bob is a ten (10) time winner of the Horton Smith Award for excellence and contributions to education. He has served the PGA as an elected officer Sectionally and participated on numerous National, Sectional and Chapter committees. Bob has competed world wide throughout his career. His instruction accomplishments have been performed through excellent communication skills, superior knowledge and experience. Champion students have been female, male and juniors, collegiate stars, state champions, USGA national competitors, PGA professionals and numerous club champions and members. With Bob's lessons, you will play better golf and have more fun.

Tom Talbott, PGA Teaching Professional

Tom Talbott is a lead instructor at the Villages Golf Academy. Tom owned the Meridian Golf Learning Center in Denver Colorado where he was a highly decorated instructor. He is the 2007 Colorado PGA Teacher of the Year and was voted “Best Teachers in State” by Golf Digest Magazine ten years in a row. Tom is an Authorized Golfing Machine Instructor receiving his master’s level in 2001. Tom made his reputation working with junior golfers and his client list reads like a who’s who in Colorado junior golf including nine Colorado High School State Champions. Many of his students have gone on to play college golf and several have reached the professional ranks. Tom has always worked with players of all ages and abilities including two Colorado Senior Players of the Year. Tom’s knowledge and passion help his students reach one simple goal of customer satisfaction.

Bruce Urton, PGA Teaching Professional

Bruce Urton, a PGA member since 1997, moved to The Villages in October 2009 from the Northern California Section where he was employed at the Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Gilroy, Ca. He was reared in Western Kentucky and considers himself a southern man. Bruce is a Vietnam Veteran having served first in the U.S. Navy as aircrew with the Typhoon Trackers and later with the U.S. M.C. as an Radar Intercept Officer with VMFA 115. Bruce began playing golf in 1966 and started playing professionally in 1987. Bruce has been involved in all facets of professional golf except as a tour player. He found a passion for teaching early and helping others improve their game is his greatest enjoyment as a golf professional. He still enjoys playing competitive golf with his fellow professionals in section events and does so when his schedule permits. Bruce will be instructing at the Sarasota Driving Range starting Jan 4th, 2010. Everyone is invited for a 10 minute first time lesson at no cost. Bruce and his fiancé, Artie Thorson, live in the village of St. Charles and are loving it.