Golf Academy of America ®

Rich Iorio, PGA

Mr. Iorio is a Class A PGA member who has been working in the golf industry since 1986. Mr. Iorio brings a tremendous amount of operational experience to the Golf Academy of America. Mr. Iorio has spent the majority of his career in golf operations focusing on budgeting, merchandising, marketing, food & beverage, and instruction. Mr. Iorio has established his career through golf clubs, such as Fieldstone Golf Club in Greenville Delaware, Hartefeld National Golf Club in Avondale Pennsylvania, Flint Hills National Golf Club in Andover Kansas, Terradyne Resort hotel & Country Club in Andover Kansas, Sim Park Municipal Golf Course in Wichita Kansas and Oakwood Country Club in Enid Oklahoma. Mr. Iorio is also a graduate from Wichita State University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sports Business and was a member of the Wichita State University golf team. Mr. Iorio is an expert in the use of video, 3D motion analysis, launch monitor technology, club fitting, and is a TPI certified golf instructor. Mr. Iorio is actively involved in the YMCA and Boys & Girls Club volunteering his time developing new and enhancing existing programs.

Jim Nicolaisen, PGA

Mr. Nicolaisen has worked in the golf industry for over 22 years, becoming a PGA of America member in 1998. He worked as an Assistant Professional at Torrey Pines Golf Club from 1989 to1991 and then caddied on the Nationwide Tour (formerly the Hogan Tour). Mr. Nicolaisen started as Assistant Professional at The Olympic Club in San Francisco and was promoted to First Assistant Golf Professional. During this time, he worked two Tour Championships and one US Open.

After moving to San Diego in 2000 Mr. Nicolaisen became the Head Golf Professional at The Auld Course in Chula Vista, CA, then became the Director of Golf at The Crosby in Rancho Santa Fe, CA. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Quantitative Economics and Decision Science at University of California- San Diego.

Henry Salgado

Mr. Salgado has been in the post-secondary education industry for 10 years holding positions in various aspects of the school such as Admissions Associate, Director of Career Services, Campus Director, and Director of Admissions. Mr. Salgado has previously held positions with B&H Education (Marinello Schools of Beauty), California Paramedical and Technical College, Kaplan Higher Education, and the National Association of Heavy Equipment Training Schools. Being involved in all aspects of an educational facility has helped Mr. Salgado understand and relate to students and their needs which in turn allow him to best serve them.

Kevin Neisch, PGA

Mr. Neisch has been in the golf industry since 1989 and became a PGA of America member in 1997. Originally from Michigan, he graduated from the Professional Golf Management program at Ferris State University with a B.S. in Business in 1995. Soon after graduating Mr. Neisch served as the First Assistant Golf Professional at Hawthorne Hills Golf Club in Lima, OH. He continued his career in the golf industry as Assistant Operations Manager at Michigan State University’s Forest Akers Golf Courses.

His career then moved toward the corporate golf sector as Sports Marketing Project Supervisor with The Golf Digest Companies, then Director of Rules with Buick Golf/Buick Scramble. While with Buick Golf/Buick Scramble he directed rules and handicapping for 75,000 amateur and 3,500 PGA Professionals through local, sectional, and national championship events across the United States and Canada.

Mr. Neisch earned his MBA from Virginia College in 2009. He is a TPI Certified Golf Fitness Instructor and a certified Henry-Griffitts club fitter.

Steve Kaese, PGA

Mr. Kaese is a Class A member of the PGA of America. He has an extensive background in teaching and was nominated for Southern California Section Teacher of the Year in 2010. He has also hosted education seminars for the San Diego Chapter of the PGA on subjects including technology and teaching. Along with having a vast understanding of technology, he is also a certified TPI golf instructor. Prior to being at GAA, he held Director of Instruction positions at Riverwalk Golf Club and Mission Trails Golf Club in San Diego and Celebration Golf Club in Orlando, FL.

Originally from Chicago, he started his career as an assistant golf professional at Fresh Meadow Golf Course in Hillside, IL. Mr. Kaese graduated from University of Illinois, Champaign with a Broadcast Journalism Degree. Prior to being in the golf industry he spent time working for radio and television stations in Chicago.

Patricia Luna

Ms. Luna has worked in educational settings for over 15 years. After starting in academics, she found her niche in financial aid, holding positions such as Financial Aid Officer, Financial Aid Administrator, and Corporate Review and Compliance Specialist on various campuses. After being self-employed as a financial aid consultant for six years, Ms. Luna joined the Golf Academy of America as Director of Financial Planning, where she manages the Financial Planning Departments of the school’s Western Region, consisting of the San Diego and Phoenix campuses.

Sean Anthony, PGA

Mr. Anthony is a Class A member of the PGA of America. He has held positions as Head Golf Professional, Assistant General Manager at Temeku Hills Golf and Country Club. He has over fifteen years of teaching experience throughout Southern California and Baja, Mexico. Mr. Anthony holds a Bachelor's of Science degree for San Diego State University in Political Science, Economics.

He started his career as a caddy at Castle Pines Country Club, and worked with the International, for five years. While at La Costa Resort and Spa, he assisted in the Mercedes Championship, and taught golf members and guest. He later taught for several years before managing golf operations at Pacific Golf and Country Club, and other facilities.

Kevin Connole, PGA

Mr. Connole is a Class A PGA member with over 12 years of experience working in the golf business. He grew up in Montana loving golf. After studying business and Korean at BYU his desires to pursue golf as a career led him to the San Diego Golf Academy (now the Golf Academy of America) where he entered as a student in August 1997. Sixteen months later, Kevin graduated as the Valedictorian of his class and took a position as the Director of Nike Golf Schools and Junior Camps in Park City, UT and worked as an assistant pro at Wasatch Mountain Golf Course.

Two years later he had the opportunity as the Tournament Director to help open Whirlwind Golf Club, a Troon Golf property that hosted 5 Nationwide Tour events. He spent the next 10 years in Arizona working in various positions in the golf business, including teaching at the Kent Chase Golf Academy, 1st Assistant at Oakwood Golf Club and the first Head Professional at Robson Ranch Golf Club.

Most recently he operated his own sports and training company teaching golf to youth from charter schools and running after-school golf programs in 3 public school districts. As an advocate of junior golf, Kevin served as a member of the Southwest Section PGA Junior Golf Committee. He is certified as a TPI Golf Fitness Instructor. His years spent in the golf industry have given Kevin extensive background in tournament operations, teaching and management.

Michael Flanagan, PGA

Mr. Flanagan has over 20 years of experience in the golf industry and became a PGA of America member in 1986. He held positions as Assistant Golf Professional, Head Golf Professional, Director of Golf Operations, and General Manager. His most recent position was as Director of Golf Operations for a period of 16 years at Doubletree Resort, San Diego, California. Mr. Flanagan was awarded “Golf Professional of the Year” from the San Diego Chapter PGA in 1994 and 1996. He has served on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Chapter PGA for a period of 12 years as President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Junior Golf Chairman. He hosted the weekly “Golf Tip of the Week” during the evening news for a period of over 10 years on KUSI-TV, Channel 9/51, in San Diego. Mr. Flanagan earned his A.A.B. degree at the San Diego Golf Academy in 1982. Mr. Flanagan was formerly the Campus Director at San Diego.

Anthony Sable, PGA

Mr. Sable is a Class A PGA Member who comes to Golf Academy of America with over 10 years of golf professional experience at public, private, and resort facilities. Originally from Wisconsin, he enjoys travel and has worked in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Oregon, and California. Most recently, he was 1st Assistant at Ridge Country Club, the only private country club in the city of Chicago. Prior to working in the golf industry, Mr. Sable had a distinguished 10-year Army and Coast Guard aviation career. He received his B.S. Degree from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point in 1985 and also graduated with Honors from the Golf Academy of San Diego in 1999.

Brian Smith, PGA

Brian Smith began his golfing career prior to the age of two. He grew up in New Hampshire where he golfed in season and played hockey in the winter. Being fortunate enough to be a junior Member of Nashua CC, he spent his youth involved in the states junior program. Upon graduation from the University of New Hampshire, Brian relocated to sunny San Diego.

After serving as an apprentice at Fairbanks Ranch CC in Rancho Santa Fe, Brian obtained his PGA Class A certification in 1997. An opportunity became available to instruct at Shadowridge CC in Vista, CA. Brian spent ten years at the Club doing ninety percent of the instruction, coordinating the year round junior golf program, and directing outside tournaments.

When the opportunity presented itself at Golf Academy of America, Brian found it to be the perfect way to give back to the game. Brian is a certified club fitter, and is currently enrolled in the TPI Certified Golf Fitness Instructor Program. He has two professional victories to his name in San Diego PGA chapter events and now just enjoys playing with the students.