About

champions tour

Andy Bean, Honorary Chairman of The First Tee of Lakeland

• His best finish on the Champions Tour in 2004 is T2nd at the Commerce Bank Long Island Classic.
• He ranks 26th in Charles Schwab Cup Points on the Champions Tour.

Visit the website http://tourtalent.com

champions tour

• His best finish on the PGA TOUR in 2004 is T37th at the Valero Texas Open.
• He ranks T15th in Current Par or Better Streak on the PGA TOUR

Visit the website: http://www.pgatour.com

director of golf operations

Phone: 863-577-0236
Email: gerald.richardson@ymcawcf.org

Gerald is a native Lakelander who attended and graduated from Lake Gibson High School. After High School he moved on to attend the San Diego Golf Academy where he received his degree in Golf Complex Operations and Management where his area of emphasis was Golf Professional and General Management. He was previously the Assistant Golf Professional at Lake Jovita Golf Club in Dade City, Florida and at Lone Palm Golf Club in Lakeland, Florida. Gerald is married, has two sons and a daughter and enjoys golfing, spending time with his family, and cheering on the University of Miami Hurricanes in his spare time.

course and facilities director

Phone: 863-577-0236
Email: mike.giddens@ymcawcf.org

Mike has taken on the responsibility of overseeing the golf course, grounds, and facility maintenance. Mike grew up in north Florida, in the town of Perry, but was born in Seoul, South Korea. He graduated from Florida Southern College in 2004 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreational Turfgrass Management and Sports Management. Mike worked for three years at Lone Palm Golf Club, obtaining hands-on experience with turfgrass, trees, plants, soils, and controlling pests and diseases. He also did his internship with John G. Walton Construction, a golf course construction company, during the construction phase of the YMCA Par 3. Mike is a member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), and is the President of the Ridge chapter of the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association, and is Vice President of the Alumni Board for the Gamma Alpha chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho, an agricultural fraternity. Mike is married to Jill Giddens, and they have a boy Cameron, and a girl Taylor. Mike enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to church, and anything involving sports and games. Go Noles!

program coordinator the first tee

Phone: 863-577-0236
Email: john.copeland@ymcawcf.org

John is our First Tee Program Coordinator and a lesson instructor at our facility and a certified First Tee Level I Coach. A life-long Coach of various sports, John most recently coached Varsity Mens’ & Womens’ Basketball in Sacramento, California. After 31 years in education between Sacramento and Lakeland, John retired from his Principal’s position in 2000 and became a certified instructor through the US Golf Teachers Federation. John’s natural ability to mentor young people has also lead him to become a Motivational speaker, Radio Talk show host, and he has authored a book, “Come to The Edge…Lessons on 21st Century Education”. You may also see John in print ads, he moonlights as a model and has been featured in “Scholastic” print materials and television.

golf program director

Phone: 863-577-0236
Email: suzanne.walkerL@ymcawcf.org

Suzanne is a native Eastern Canadian, hailing from Nova Scotia, Canada. She has called Lakeland her permanent home for more than 16 years and is proud of her dual American & Canadian Citizenship. Suzanne grew up within a golfing family and represented her province on the Junior Girls & Amateur Provincial teams from age 13 to 21. She is an Illinois State University Allumni, and received a full-scholarship to play golf for the Redbirds while getting a degree in Mass Communications. Suzanne won 4 Collegiate tittles and had 20 Top-10 finishes and has been named to the Missouri Valley Conference All-Centennial Team. After college, she qualified and played on the Canadian & Futures Golf Tours. Suzanne was the Head Golf professional at Schalamar Creek GC 2005-2010 and Assistant Professional at The Club at Eaglebrooke 2010-2012. The opportunity to be involved with the YMCA Par 3 and The First Tee of Lakeland brought her on-board. Today, she is proudly teaching golf lessons as a Class A Member of the LPGA Teaching & Club Professional Division at the YMCA Par 3 facility. She coaches The First Tee of Lakeland Birdie back 9 class, is the Program Director and helps Gerald facilitate the Central Florida Junior Golf Tour. Suzanne coached high school golf at the the Girls’ Varsity level for 10 years with George Jenkins & Tenoroc High Schools. Suzanne has a “wiener dog” named Norm. If you have any ideas for programs you would like to see at our YMCA Par 3 facility, contact Suzanne.

member services rep coordinator

Phone: 863-577-0236
Email: barbara.castro@ymcawcf.org

Barbara has been with the YMCA Par 3 since 2005 and is our Member Service Rep Coordinator. Barb has 3 boys, Brandon, Mauricio & Marvin and married to Mauricio for 20 years. The year her son Marvin started pre-school Barb wanted to find a job near home and close to the school. She says she found exactly what she wanted in her position at the YMCA Par 3 and has grown into our family comfortably and loves working with our members and guests.