Andrew DeSollar

College/University: Miami University, Oxford Ohio

Year Turned Professional: 1990

Facility/Job Title: Lacoma Golf Club, East Dubuque, IL
General Manager/Head Golf Professional.

What was your motivation to become a PGA Professional?
To be able to pursue a career being around the game of golf. I grew up playing the game in England and developed a great love for the history and traditions of the game.

What is your specialty in the golf business?
Being able to adapt to and manage successful golf operations in both the public and private side of the business.

Please list any accomplishments (Awards, Certifications, and Tournaments.)
PGA Master Professional, Golf Operations – 2004

What was your greatest moment in golf?
Achieving PGA Master Professional status.

What or who has had the greatest impact on your career?
My father and my first Head Golf Professional and mentor Tom Sargent at Yorba Linda CC in Southern California.

Besides golf, what else do you enjoy?
Spending time with my four children and traveling.

If you could play any golf course in the world, which one would it be and who would complete your foursome?
Augusta National. My father, Tom Watson, Arnold Palmer.

What is your favorite golf instruction tip?
It would be to all of my kids. My advice would be to have fun and embrace all of the great life lessons that the game of golf provides.

The Iowa PGA PROfile is proudly sponsored by Terry & Scott Harris of Harris Golf Cars.  CLICK HERE for more information on Harris Golf Cars.

Name: Gary Louvar, PGA

College/University:  Upper Iowa University

Year Turned Pro: 1974

Facility and Job Title: Gardner Memorial Golf Course, Head PGA Golf Professional

What was your motivation to become a PGA Professional?
Helping golfer’s make their experience more enjoyable and becoming a part of the best Professional sports organization in the world.

What is your specialty in the golf business?
Tournament management

Please list any accomplishments (Awards, Certifications, and Tournaments.)
Iowa Section Junior Golf Leader 1998
Iowa Section Bill Strausbaugh Award 2007

What was your greatest moment in golf?
Through the years I’ve had many. The most satisfying are seeing how many people enjoy this great game knowing PGA Professionals have played a big role in that enjoyment.

What or who has had the greatest impact on your career?
My father. He gave me the opportunity to experience this business so I could turn it into a wonderful career. He also taught me how to deal with different personalities that we see every day.

Besides golf, what else do you enjoy?
Iowa Hawkeye and Green Bay Packer football. I also enjoy traveling and just looking at other golf courses around the country and how they differ.

If you could play any golf course in the world, which one would it be and who would complete your foursome?
Old St. Andrews. Tom Watson, Zach Johnson and my son, Kyle.

If you could give lessons to anyone in the world who would it be and what advice would you give?
Anyone wanting to learn the game, especially after retirement.It’s OK to play the game for fun and fellowship with those you play with. Give them the “It’s OK” list we promote through Play Golf America.

What is your favorite golf instruction tip?
Make sure you think of following through to your target on every swing.

The Iowa PGA PROfile is proudly sponsored by Terry & Scott Harris of Harris Golf Cars.  CLICK HERE for more information on Harris Golf Cars.

Eric Johnston, PGA

College/University: Central College

Year Turned Pro: 2003

Facility and Job Title: Glen Oaks Country Club, Head Golf Professional

What was your motivation to become a PGA Professional?
My passion for the game of golf and having the ability to help others learn the game.

What is your specialty in the golf business?
Member Relations & Club Fitting – ensuring each member has the correct club to fit their game.

Please list any accomplishments (Awards, Certifications, and Tournaments.)
#1 golf course in the state of Iowa, Golf Digest 2011 Class A PGA Golf Professional.

What was your greatest moment in golf?
Being the captain of the Central College Golf team and playing in the National Championship.

What or who has had the greatest impact on your career?
Mike Moncel had a great impact on me throughout high school as my instructor and mentor for golf. Ken Schall has had an extensive impact on my career as a golf professional.

Besides golf, what else do you enjoy?
I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and my wife, Megan. I also enjoy bowling and snowmobiling in the off-season.

If you could play any golf course in the world, which one would it be and who would complete your foursome?
Augusta National, my foursome would consist of my father Don, Jack Nicklaus and Dustin Johnson.

If you could give lessons to anyone in the world who would it be and what advice would you give?
Albert Pujols – I admire how great of an athlete/person he is. We would discuss how we were going to incorporate his flawless baseball swing into his golf swing.

What is your favorite golf instruction tip?
The grip is your connection to the golf club. Placing your hands properly on the golf club helps you better control the position of the clubface at impact. Work on pre-swing fundamentals first: grip, athletic posture, & proper alignment.

The Iowa PGA PROfile is proudly sponsored by Terry & Scott Harris of Harris Golf Cars.  CLICK HERE for more information on Harris Golf Cars.

Name: Zack Vervaecke

College/University: Black Hawk Junior College and Southern Illinois University

Year turned Professional: 2008

Facility and Job Title: Jester Park Golf Course PGA Head Professional

Please give a summary of your Background and credentials
I started out as an Assistant for the City of Rock Island at Highland Springs and
Saukie Municipal Golf Courses. Got out of the business for about 3 years before
returning as an Assistant at Davenport Country Club. I was an assistant at DCC for
5 years before becoming the Head Professional at Jester Park Golf Course where I
have been for the past 4 years.

What was your motivation to become a PGA Professional?
I have always loved the game of golf since a very early age. When I left the
business for three years, I worked various jobs from changing oil and fixing tires, to
cleaning industrial ovens and oxidizers, running CNC machines, and finally
construction. It was my last job working construction that I realized how much I
really missed everything that the golf business had to offer. I made a few phone
calls and ended up taking the job at Davenport Country Club nine years ago. I can say
without question that I am glad I got back into the business.

What is your specialty in the golf business?
Jester Park is leased by a small Golf Management group called Green Golf
Partners. I know that I was skeptical going to work for a Golf Management group
but since doing so it has opened my eyes to all aspects of the business. The
amount of resources at my disposal helps me make precise, prompt-to decisions on
marketing, equipment, best practices, and much more.

Please list any accomplishments (Awards, Certifications, and Tournaments.)
2010 Iowa Open Champion

What was your greatest moment in golf?
Winning the 2010 Iowa Open and becoming a Class A PGA Professional in 2008

What or who has had the greatest impact on your career?
My father who brought the game of golf into my life, my first mentor Kevin Kwak,
and Second Mentor John Panek.

Besides golf, what else do you enjoy?
Fishing, walking, spending time with my daughter, and any recreational activity.

If you could play any golf course in the world, which one would it be and who would complete your foursome?
Augusta National no question!! Me, Tiger, President Obama, and my dad.

If you could give lessons to anyone in the world who would it be and
what advice would you give?
Boy is that a tough one….I would say any young aspiring junior golfer that is
willing to put in time and effort into his/her swing/game to make themselves better.
I would let them know that everything isn’t always about mechanics/positions/and
looks…..sometimes you have to learn how to put the ball in the hole and make a
number.

What is your favorite golf instruction tip?
You can sometimes be your own best friend on the golf course…..or your own
worst enemy….the decision is yours to make.

If you have a personal website about your services please list the URL here
jesterparkgolf.com

The Iowa PGA PROfile is proudly sponsored by Terry & Scott Harris of Harris Golf Cars.  CLICK HERE for more information on Harris Golf Cars.