Char Carson
Director of Instruction
LPGA Class A Instructor
US Kids Certified Coach
Tathata Golf Movement Specialist
Golf Academy of America
Teaching Professional
Contact Number:
480.320.8119
Email:
charcarsongolf@gmail.com
Lesson Prices:
Call or check website below
Website: chargolf.com
I grew up in Wisconsin and was a highly competitive athlete in many sports (volleyball, basketball, softball, track). I learned at a young age what it is like to compete and excel and then – there was golf. A very humbling experience when a friend invited me to play golf for the first time – the first time holding a club and the first time on the course. Yikes! It took me a few years after that experience to gain the interest and courage to try golf again and to understand the value of golf instruction.
In 2007 & 2008 I earned entry into the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship with qualifying drives of over 300 yards. A fascinating experience!
Then it was time to learn more about the game of golf and teaching and the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) is the world’s best organization for learning to become a teacher. The LPGA holds me accountable to continue to learn & grow as a professional, give back and get involved.
After earning my LPGA Class A status, I become a certified coach with US Kids golf and then most recently, a certified Movement Specialist with Tathata Golf. Tathata Golf training has improved both my game and effectiveness as a teacher.
My students range from 4 yr olds to 80+ yr olds, from high school players earning scholarships to those looking to play with friends & family and to those who are entering the game to grow their business. (Yes, golf is an amazing networking tool!) Golf is a game filled with many life lessons and has something to offer golfers of all ages & skill levels. It’s a special sport that unites so many.
Richard Gaona
Teaching Professional
Richard Gaona
Contact Number:
480.861.1365
Email Here
Coach Richard Gaona Golf has been one of Richard’s greatest passions in life from the time he first touched a club at 5 years old. He grew up loving to play the game with his father and his friends in Globe-Miami, Arizona. His small-town high school did not have a golf program so he convinced the football coach to start one. You might say this is where Richard’s teaching career began, leading and helping his fellow teammates to improve their individual games. He went on to play at Mesa Community College until turning Professional in 2005. Richard has 23 professional wins among numerous high-place finishes, and holds 4 course records, including the one at Springfield! Since 2010, Richard has been teaching professionally at Dobson Ranch Golf Course, and joined the Springfield Golf Resort team in May 2020. He has also enjoyed assisting the coaching staff and players of Mesa Community College, and Glendale Community College. Richard says, “I enjoy teaching anyone how to improve their golf game; but I truly love being part of developing young players and using my experience and expertise to help them be their best.” Some of Richard’s Playing Accomplishments: He has won state opens like Southern Utah Open and Sierra Vista Open twice. Numerous wins on Mini tours like the Pepsi Tour, the Dream Chasers Tour, the Championship Players Tour, the National Pro Tour, and the National Golf Tour. By having the lowest scoring average for the season he earned an exemption into Q-School on the National Golf Tour. He has also played seasons on the Gateway Tour with a best finish of 3rd.
Colin Pidgeon
Teaching Professional
Colin Pidgeon P.G.A.
Contact Number:
602.679.0597
Email Here
About Colin
Former College Golfer Turned Elite Instructor
Education & Playing Background:
Hamilton High School Golf Team (1998-2002)
Mesa Community College Golf Scholarship (2003-2005)
Lewis-Clark State College Golf Scholarship (2006-2008)
PGA Associate & David Leadbetter Academy Certified
· TPI Certified
Coaching Experience:
5+ years of coaching exceeding expecations!
Training & Mentors:
Trained under Arizona’s top young instructor, Joe DiChiara
Golf Career Highlights:
The Legacy Golf Club Guest Services, Set-Up Manager, and Instructor (2008-2022)
Springfield Golf Resort Instructor (2022-Current)
Combine Golf Academy Instructor (2025-Current)
What Drives Me:
Helping golfers like you unlock their full potential and love seeing you learn !
Alex Trevino
Teaching Professional
Alex Trevino P.G.A.
Contact Number:
480.204.6558
Email Here
Professional Golf Coaching for Junior & Adult Players
Alex Trevino | PGA Associate Golf Coach
Alex Trevino is a PGA Associate golf coach specializing in junior golf development, competitive preparation, and performance-based adult instruction. With experience developing players for high school, community college, and collegiate golf, Alex provides structured, detail-driven coaching built on functional swing mechanics and proven development models.
He also works with adult golfers focused on lower scores and long-term improvement, guiding players to break 100, 90, and 80, with students averaging a 5-stroke handicap reduction. Alex’s coaching emphasizes clarity, consistency, and on-course performance within a personalized, professional training environment.
JUNIOR CLINICS
MARCH 2026!
Hello!
The March schedule for Junior clinics is now available and the 2026 Drive, Chip & Putt qualifiers are now open! (see below for more details)
The Saturday morning classes fill up quickly, so be sure to sign-up early! We have the best junior to coach ratio in the east valley for optimal safety & learning and will use a wait list once the classes are full. There is a 48 hour cancellation policy so that we can maintain the best instructor/junior ratio and keep our classes affordable.
** If your junior is interested in playing competitive golf, see below for great Junior tournament Organizations**
If you delete this email, all events are on the Calendar.
Sign-up online at least 3 days before the class with the dates that you’d like to register for.
Junior Golf Schedule:
March – Saturday Mornings
Saturday Morning Little Tots Clinics – 8:30am (ages 5-8) (Mar 7, 14, 21, 28) For all skill levels Cost: $120 for all 4 classes and payment is due at the first class. Class size is limited to the first 12 to sign up
Saturday Morning Junior Clinics – 9:45am (ages 9-12) (Mar 7, 14, 21, 28) For all skill levels Cost: $120 for all 4 classes and payment is due at the first class. Class size is limited to the first 12 to sign up
Saturday Morning Junior Clinics – 11am (ages 13 & up) (Mar 7, 14, 21, 28) For all skill levels Cost: $120 for all 4 classes and payment is due at the first class. Class size is limited to the first 12 to sign up
March – Monday & Thursdays with Coach Alex
Monday/Thursday after school program with coach Alex – 4:30pm (ages 12 & up) sign up here.
Other Junior Golf Opportunities
2026 – Drive, Chip & Putt qualifiers – A joint initiative founded in 2013 by the Masters Tournament, United States Golf Association and The PGA of America, the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship is a free nationwide junior golf development competition aimed at growing the game by focusing on the three fundamental skills employed in golf. By tapping the creative and competitive spirit of girls and boys ages 7-15, the Dri ve, Chip and Putt Championship provides aspiring junior golfers an opportunity to play with their peers in qualifiers around the country. Participants who advance through local, sub-regional and regional qualifying in each age/gender category earn a place in the National Finals, which is conducted at Augusta National Golf Club the Sunday before the Masters Tournament and is broadcast live by Golf Channel
Springfield Twilight Rates – every day after 2pm, a parent and junior can golf 18 holes for $45 or $34 for 9 holes. (After 4pm, it’s only $30) Prerequisite: Junior must have Youth on Course card.
Youth on Course – a non-profit organization that offers a junior membership to play at participating golf courses – year-round – for just $5 per round. Annual membership is only $25. This membership can be renewed until your junior is 18!
Junior Tournament Organizations – See related links on my Junior page.
Girls Golf of Phoenix – For girls (ages 3 – 18). The girls will LOVE the golf events that Cori Matheson hosts for the Girls Golf of Phoenix. Be sure to check out this amazing organization.
Firebird Tournaments (Southwest PGA) – The Firebirds Junior Golf Development Club is open to all juniors ages 3 to 18 who are interested in learning about the wonderful game of golf! Divisions are based on skill level with 1, 3, 6, and two 9-hole divisions available.
X3 Short Course Tournaments – X3 events are local tournaments for girls and boys ages 5-14 starting tournament golf.
Southwest PGA – Junior Prep Tour – If your junior is interested in playing High School golf, this tour is an ideal way to get tournament experience! The tour is a series of one-day tournaments in June-July for boys and girls 18 and under. There are six (6) separate Districts in Arizona and Southern Nevada with six events in each District.
USKids – U.S. Kids Golf Local Tours are created to provide boys and girls, ages 5 to 18, the opportunity to advance their skills in the game in age-appropriate competition.
Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA) – The JGAA helps junior golfers develop golf and life skills through competitive programs and tournaments. Their mission is to educate, motivate and inspire future leaders through the game of golf.
Thank you and see you soon,
CharChar Carson
LPGA Teaching Professional
cell: 480-320-8119
email: charcarsongolf@gmail.com
website: www.chargolf.com
www.facebook.com/chargolf
www.springfieldgolfresort.com
WOMEN’s & ADULT CLINICS
MARCH 2026
Hello!
It’s great to see so many of you getting out to golf in this amazing winter weather!
The March schedule includes La
dies clinics on Thursday afternoons at 2:30pm & Friday mornings at 9am. The “It’s OK league” will continue on Thursday mornings and Sunday & Wednesday afternoons. See my Calendar for the full schedule.
Simply sign-up online or reply to this email with the classes that you’d like to sign up for.
There is a 48hr cancellation policy to keep the classes small and the price low.
Thursday Afternoon – Ladies: These Ladies classes are held on the driving range and the topic varies by week. Class size is limited to the first 6 to sign up (minimum of 3)
Time: 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Cost: $40 per person (includes practice balls)Weekly Topics
Mar 5 – Putting (eliminating those 3 putts!)
Mar 12 – Full Swing – Irons (hitting greens!)
Mar 19 – Long game – Driver, fairway clubs, hybrids
Mar 26 – NO Class
Friday Mornings – Ladies: These Ladies classes are held on the driving range and the topic varies by week. Class size is limited to the first 6 to sign up (minimum of 3)
Time: 9am – 10am
Cost: $40 per person (includes practice balls)Weekly Topics
Mar 6 – Putting (eliminating those 3 putts!)
Mar 13 – Full Swing – Irons (hitting greens!)
Mar 20 – Long game – Driver, fairway clubs, hybrids
Mar 27 – NO ClassThe It’s OK League will continue!! – The “It’s OK” golf league is designed for new, beginning and other women golfers who just want to get out to play, have fun and meet other golfers. This informal league (without pressure or strict rules) continues to be so popular, that Springfield is continuing to offer this great opportunity! Dates, Tee times and Pricing are on the calendar.
NOTES for October – December:
- Wednesdays will tee off at 3:30pm through April 15th
- Sundays will tee off at 4pm through April 15th
- Thursdays will tee off on the back nine at 7am through April 15th
Personalized Clinics – If these dates/times don’t work for you, we can personalize a session for 3 or more participants, where you choose the day of week, time of day and the topic. Cost: $70 per person for a group of 3, $60 per person for a group of 4, $45 per person for a group of 5, $40 per person for a group of 6+.
Golf 101 program – The next Golf 101 program is being planned to start March 5, 2026 on Thursday afternoons. This is a 6 week course designed for new and beginning golfers to introduce you to golf in a safe, welcoming and FUN environment. Covers all aspects of the game – swing fundamentals (full swing, chipping, pitching, putting), basic rules, etiquette, other important things (like what to wear, how to make a tee time, how to practice, etc.) and on-course play.
I look forward to seeing you soon!
CharChar Carson
LPGA Teaching Professional
cell: 480-320-8119
email: charcarsongolf@gmail.com
website: www.chargolf.com
www.facebook.com/chargolf
www.springfieldgolfresort.com
