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
June 2026!
Hello!
We hope everyone is getting excited for graduations, wrapping up the school year and summer vacations!
The June schedule is now available.
Quick Summary for June:
Little Tots (ages 5 – 8) – classes on Friday mornings
Juniors (ages 9 & up) – classes on Friday mornings
Junior Learn & Play (ages 10 & up) – clinic and on-course play (Tuesday and Thursdaymornings) The 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.
June Schedule:
Friday Morning Little Tots Clinics – 8:30am (ages 5-8) (June 5, 12, 19, 26) For all skill levels Cost: $120 for all 4 classes. Class size is limited to the first 12 to sign up
Friday Morning Junior Clinics – 9:45am (ages 9 & Up) (June 5, 12, 19, 26) For all skill levels Cost: $120 for all 4 classes. . Class size is limited to the first 12 to sign up
Junior Learn and PLAY – (ages 10 & up) – Tuesdays & Thursday 8:30am – 11am (June 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30 July (7, 9, 14, 16) For those who are currently playing competitive golf, interested in playing competitive golf and/or are preparing to make their high school team. This program is a 1 hour clinic followed by playing up to 9 holes on the course. Cost: $60 per class (Includes the clinic, green fee and requires Youth on Course card) You can sign up for the dates that work with your summer plans, there is not a monthly co mmitment. Payment is due on or before the day of the class.
June – Mondays & Thursdays with Coach Alex
Monday/Thursday morning program with coach Alex – 7am (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 $40. 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
June 2026
Hello!
With summer on the way, the June clinics will now start at 7am. The It’s OK League is getting more popular and we’re making a few changes. (See below for details)
The June schedule includes Lad
ies clinics on Thursday mornings & Friday mornings at 7am. The “It’s OK league” will continue on Thursday mornings and Sunday & Wednesday afternoons. See my Calendar for the full schedule. CLICK HERE TO 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 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: 7am – 8am
Cost: $40 per person (includes practice balls)Weekly Topics
June 4 – Full Swing – Irons (hitting greens!)
June 11 – Pitching – getting up & over from 20, 30, 40 yards
June 18 – Long game – Driver, fairway clubs, hybrids
June 25 – Full Swing – Irons (hitting greens!)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: 7am – 8am
Cost: $40 per person (includes practice balls)Weekly Topics
June 5 – Full Swing – Irons (hitting greens!)
June 12 – Pitching – getting up & over from 20, 30, 40 yards
June 19 – Long game – Driver, fairway clubs, hybrids
June 26 – Full Swing – Irons (hitting greens!)The 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.
Key Changes:
- Men are now welcome to play in the It’s OK League. We’ve had a number of requests for husbands/SO’s/male friends of the ladies to play in a casual & welcoming environment. We are not adding special guidelines for men at this time as we’re assuming that they are fun and courteous to play with if they are joining a female dominated golf event 🙂
- We ask that you arrive at least 10 minutes before the 1st tee time in case there are changes to the pairings from the spreadsheet.
- Wednesdays and Sundays will remain in the afternoons unless there is enough interest in changing these to mornings for the summer. (Just let me know)
- If there is anything that can make the It’s OK League better, we welcome your ideas and suggestions!
Summer Schedule for 2026:
- Wednesdays will tee off at 4pm through July
- Sundays will tee off at 4pm through July
- Thursdays will tee off on the back nine at 6am through July
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+.
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
