Dear Spring Run Member,

We are pleased to announce the hiring of two new assistant golf professionals in the Pro Shop.  Please welcome Patty Driapsa and Rocky Bentley to Spring Run! We will post their pictures in the next News on the Run!

Patty Driapsa is a Class A member of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Division, who has an extensive background in teaching golf to students of all skill levels. Prior to joining the Spring Run golf staff, she worked at Pelican Bay and Kensington Golf and Country Club in Naples, Florida. Patty grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and played collegiate golf at Bowling Green State University. She is an active volunteer instructor for the LPGA Girls Golf Club, a developmental junior program for girls in a non-competitive environment. Her background also includes being a certified Body Balance for Performance Instructor, which incorporates an effective teaching approach for students with physical limitations or injuries. Patty looks forward to meeting you and getting your game tuned up for the season!

Rocky Bentley, grew up in Bristol, Virginia where he learned the game of golf from his father.  He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from East Tennessee State University in 1991.  After graduation, Rocky was employed by the Virginian Golf Club for seven years before beginning a career in outside sales.  In 2007 Rocky returned to the golf industry. Rocky earned his Class A PGA certification in 2010 after completing the PGA Professional Golf Management Program.  Rocky held the position of Head Golf Professional for The Country Club of Bristol, and in 2011, he was selected by his peers as Merchandiser of the Year in the private club category for the Tri Cities Chapter of the Tennessee Section.  He has also held Assistant Professional positions at clubs in East Tennessee and Southwest Florida.  Rocky, his wife Michele, and their two children, Grace and Jake, relocated to Southwest Florida in 2013.  In his spare time, Rocky enjoys spending time with his family and is an avid supporter of his children’s competitive soccer teams.

A common question is “what are the titles of existing and new pros in the Pro Shop?” Besides Jeff, who is Head Professional, and Valerie, who is Merchandiser, the others are all Assistant Professionals. There is no hierarchy at the moment. We feel that after season, we can sit down and make an assessment of each assistant and determine what position each should fall into. Each seems to have a particular area of expertise, so that will likely play into the final evaluation. But right now, we want everyone working together as a team to do any job in the Pro Shop (working the counter, helping with tournaments, folding merchandise etc. )in order to ensure the highest level of service to our membership.

Looking forward to an exceptional Season!

Mike