Omni La Costa Resort & Spa (Carlsbad)
2100 Costa Del Mar Road
Carlsbad, California 92009

Meet Our Pros

Our golf professionals will enhance your golf experience
AJ Avoli

A.J. Avoli

Director of Instruction

Grew up in: Ohio

Years in Golf: 15 years

Graduated from: Professional Golfers College

Specializes In: Private lessons, golf schools, junior camps and RoboGolfPro

Awards & Certificates: Golf Digest's "Top 40 Young Instructors in America" and "The Best Teachers in California"

Dustin Irwin

Dustin Irwin

Club Director

Hometown: Sheboygan Falls, WI

Years in Golf: 25 Years

Specializes In: On-course and family playing lessons

Graduated from: Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI

Awards & Certificates: PGA Class 'A' Member since 2003

Shane Gillespie

Elite Performance Coach 

Hometown: Temperance, Michigan 

Years in Golf: 20 Years

Specializes in: Long-Term Player Development,  Elite Junior Development (Junior high & high school), Collegiate players & Professional Player Development 

Graduated from: University of Notre Dame, Aerospace Engineering

Awards & Certificates:
Member of the PGA of Malaysia, TPI: Level 2 Golf & Power, CHEK Institute: Golf Biomechanic, HLC 1, & 4 Quadrant Coaching Mastery.  

gavin parker

Gavin Parker

Head Golf Professional, Resort 

Years in Golf: 20 years

Hometown: Bethel, ME

Graduated from: Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC

Awards & Certificates: PGA Class 'A' Member since 2012


 

mike mulford

Mike Mulford

Membership Head Golf Professional

Hometown: Novato, CA

Years in Golf: 30 years

Specializes In: All abilities and types of golfers

Graduated From: Creighton University, Omaha, NE

Awards & Certificates: PGA Class 'A' Member since 2012

Eric Norgrove

Eric Norgrove

Assistant Golf Professional 

Hometown: Lake Tahoe, NV

Years in Golf: 17 Years

Specializes In: Working with players of all abilities, ages and levels

Graduated from: Currently completing the PGA Program

Awards & Certificates: Shot six-under for the PGA Playing Ability Test taking Medalist Honors

Daniel Williams

Daniel Williams

Golf Professional 

Grew up in: Omaha, NE

Graduated from: Mesa College

Favorite teams: Cornhuskers, San Diego Padres

Enjoys: Spending time with family and friends, hiking, all sports and working on cars


 

Michael Matranga

Assistant Golf Professional

Hometown: San Diego, CA 

Years in Golf: 5 Years

Specializes In: All abilities and types of golfers

Graduated from: San Diego Golf Academy of America

Awards & Certificates: Advanced Teaching & Short Game Certificate

jeff larsen

Jeff Larsen

Golf Sales Manager 

Years in Hospitality: 9 years

Grew up in: Vancouver, BC

Fun Fact: I've made two hole-in-ones so far in my life. The first from 191 yards and the second from 163 yards

Favorite Sports Teams: Vancouver Canucks and Green Bay Packers


Derek Ripperger

Tournament Coordinator

Hometown: Wichita Falls, TX

Years in Golf: 10 years

Specializes In: Junior lessons, putting and on-course lessons

Graduated from: San Diego Golf Academy of America

Gabe Hearn

Assistant Golf Professional

Home Town: Bozeman, MT

Years in Golf: 20 years

Specializes In: Short game, working with all skill levels and ages

Graduated from: San Diego Golf Academy of America

Awards & Certificates: Working towards his Class A PGA membership. Certificates in club fitting and teaching methods.

Mike Jick

Assistant Golf Professional

Home Town: Sacramento, CA

Years in Golf: 40 years

Specializes In: Expert instructor with lower handicaps and improving enjoyment of the game

Graduated from: Winona State University

Awards & Certificates: PGA Class “A” Member since 1991