I am Patrick McGuire, the Founder and Director of Raspberry Golf Academy. For the past twenty years, I have been coaching, teaching and instructing thousands of players in the DC Metro and greater Phoenix areas. I have helped many players from their golfing beginnings become playing and coaching professionals.

• 13 students earn and keep Tour Cards on all major golf tours across the world
• 9 students win individual VA State High School Championships and multiple students win Regional and District titles
• $4,000,000+ earned in college tuition for RGA students
• 25 players win Club Championships at private clubs
• 29 PGA/LPGA professionals learn to teach and become elite coaches

Since being home from coaching on Tour for the longest period in the last six years (January 12th to today), I have been reminded of the enjoyment I get from teaching non-professional players. My vision has always been to help lower the national handicap, which is why I started RGA and hired and trained multiple LPGA and PGA members to learn the art of teaching. With the recent focus on safety and health, I want to go back to helping the general public learn in a safe comfortable environment.

For the foreseeable future, I have decided to limit my time traveling on Tour to teach more from home. I will be taking on new students and reconnecting with old students at Virginia Golf Center and Raspberry Falls Golf and Hunt Club. We have unique programs for students of all levels that I am excited to open up to new players.

Path to the Tour Program
We currently have a group of talented young players (ages 12-24) that I continue to develop on Tour, college and high national levels. These players are on our program Path to the Tour (PTT). We are evaluating players for entrance into the PTT program, but numbers are limited. If you or someone you know is seeking to play on Tour or for a ranked Division 1 NCAA school, please reach out to me to schedule an evaluation.

Performance Elite Training
Performance Elite Training is for players who are not pursuing professional golf but looking to play at a state, regional or national amateur level. The RGA Performance Elite Training team consists of coaches who use their specialized expertise and the latest technology to get players prepared for elite competition. We will be taking on 4-8 players in this program.

Breaking 100, 90, 80
This program is designed to help recreational players navigate all aspects of the game from basic to competitive club level. I introduce my Pillar program at this level which focuses on specific skills to improve scoring. Pillars include putting, short game, wedging, approach shots, driving, swing mechanics, process, practicing, mental, fitness, nutrition, equipment. We use a team approach for this program and have specialized coaches assist on individual pillars. I am confident we will have you breaking 100, 90, or 80.

Beginner Golfers
Last but not least, we are seeking a limited number of beginners to follow my program for learning the game and becoming a golfer in 30, 60, or 90 days. We are offering individual and group (limited in size for safety) lessons working with myself and the RGA staff.

I look forward to meeting and helping new players. All new students must schedule an initial evaluation so I can understand your goals and put you on the right track. You will be on your way to learning what top golfers have discovered with RGA.

BOOK AN EVALUATION

Four RGA Students Qualify for the 2018 U.S. Amateur
By Josh Apple

The U.S. Amateur is the world’s biggest stage for amateur golf competition, and simply earning a spot in the field is a lifelong dream for many. Past champions include Bryson DeChambeau, Ryan Moore, Matt Kuchar, Phil Mickelson, and of course Tiger Woods, who won three consecutive times in the mid-1990’s. For the Raspberry Golf Academy to have even one student qualify for the field would be impressive, but RGA students have been beyond impressive in 2018, the 10-year anniversary of the academy.

Brandon Weaver, Connor Messick, and Ryan Smith each qualified for the men’s championship, which will be held at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course from August 13-19, and Katie Reilly qualified for the women’s championship, which will be contested at The Golf Club of Tennessee from August 6-12.

Brandon Weaver is a member of the Longwood University golf team and has been working with RGA Director of Instruction John Miller since he was in high school. Under Miller’s guidance, Brandon’s golf career skyrocketed in high school, winning the state championship back-to-back years. That success has carried over to his collegiate career as well, as he won the Manor Intercollegiate this past season, Longwood’s home event.

Brandon played his 36-hole U.S. Amateur qualifier at James River Country Club in Newport News, Va. on July 10th, and fired incredible scores of 64-67 (-9) to finish in second place, just one shot back of first. That particular qualifying site had over 70 competitors but took just two spots, giving Brandon the second spot.

“I played super consistent, my ball striking was good.  I was hitting it in the right spots, giving myself good putts. I was really strong off the tee.  That course is really tight and I was able to put it in the right spots,” Brandon said.

Immediately following his strong qualifying performance, Brandon had a solid showing at the Eastern Amateur, one of the strongest amateur events on the East coast. He finished 22nd with scores of 69-69-67-72 (-3) over the four rounds from July 12-15.

“It all hasn’t really sunk in yet because as soon as I qualified I had to go the Eastern and stay focused,” Brandon said. “I’m pretty excited though to go out to Pebble and to play Spyglass too, which I’ve heard is even better.  I can’t wait to get out there in August.  It’s going to be so much fun.”

Connor Messick recently concluded his career as a member of the University of Virginia golf team, and will be playing for George Mason in the fall as a graduate student transfer. He has been a student of RGA Director Patrick McGuire for two years, and has seen great success in amateur tournaments since joining the RGA team.

Connor played his 36-hole U.S. Amateur qualifier at the Country Club of Woodmore in Mitchellville, Md. on July 17th, and shot 73-69 (-2) to finish is second place. This qualifying site took five spots with a larger field competing for the honor.

“My main goal this summer was to get prepared to qualify for the U.S. Am with the help of my coach, Pat McGuire, and that is what we did,” Connor said. “I’m looking forward to getting out there and making the most of this incredible opportunity.”

Both Brandon and Connor made the cut in the Virginia State Open at Ballyhack Golf Club in Roanoke, held from July 19-21. Brandon finished T40 and Connor finished T44 in the strong 144-player field.

Ryan Smith elevated the bar to three RGA participants in the 2018 men’s U.S. Amateur when he shot scores of 71-69 (-4) in his 36-hole qualifier on July 23 at Hayfields Country Club in Cockeysville, Md. The rising high school junior lives in California but is originally from Leesburg, Va., and has worked with Patrick McGuire since he first learned how to hold a golf club.

Under McGuire’s guidance, Ryan has steadily been one of the top junior golfers in the nation. Prior to qualifying for the U.S. Amateur, Ryan reached the Round of 16 in the 2018 U.S. Junior Amateur, held at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J. from July 16-21. Having already proved himself in junior golf competition, he will have chance to breakout on the amateur scene at Pebble Beach.

Ryan has committed to play college golf at the University of North Carolina in 2020.

Katie Reilly claimed one of three spots in the big event by shooting 70 (-2) at Glenmore Country Club in Keswick, Va. on July 2nd, when she managed to go 6-for-6 on up-and-down opportunities. Katie also works with McGuire and has seen her game progress through his teaching.

“I definitely wouldn’t have gotten here without all your (Patrick’s) help over the years,” Katie said.

Be sure to follow Brandon, Connor, and Ryan at Pebble Beach and Katie at The Golf Club of Tennessee next month as they look to grow their name on the big stage, and check back in for more updates from RGA as we celebrate the 10-year anniversary!