About – Kendall Academy

Our Team

Dedicated to your game improvement

Dave founded the Kendall Academy of Golf in 1997 after 17 years as a Head Professional at Cadillac Country Club. Over the past 18 years, under Dave’s guidance, Kendall Academy of Golf has grown from one instructor with a dream to 10 outstanding Instructors and hundreds of success stories.

Dave is currently the only Golf Channel Academy Lead Coach in Michigan. The Kendall Academy instructor team help develop the golf games of all levels of players, from beginner to elite amateur and professionals. Dave has been honored by the Michigan PGA as Golf Professional of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Horton Smith Award, and Senior Player of the Year. He is a 2-time Michigan Senior Open Champion, Senior PGA Champion, and Senior PGA Match Play Champion.

In 2011, Dave was inducted into the Jackson Golf Hall of Fame, in 2013, the Michigan PGA Hall of Fame. In 2014, Golf Digest ranked Dave #2 on its list of Top Instructors in Michigan. In 2015, Dave was elected to the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame. The insight he has gained through his many years of teaching players of all levels, along with his competitive background, has given Dave a very practical approach to player improvement.

Patrick played professionally for 8 years before joining the Kendall Academy in 2015. He competed primarily on the NGA Tour (Hooters Tour), played in events on the Web.com Tour and other mini-tours throughout the country, and played in the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont.

Patrick was born and raised in Ann Arbor and played golf locally at Huron High School. He went on to play golf at Ball State University in Indiana. Patrick has learned from top teachers from around the country and brings unique knowledge from his professional playing experience.

He has extensive knowledge in all facets of the game from course management to short game to the swing.

Jim joined the Kendall Academy at Miles of Golf in December of 2009 and was named Director of Instruction in February 2012.

Prior to the Kendall Academy, Jim served as an Assistant Golf Professional at West Shore Golf & CC from 2003 through 2006; Assistant Professional at Grosse Ile Golf & CC from 2007 through 2008, and Head Golf Professional in 2009. During his time at West Shore and Grosse Ile he coordinated the junior golf programs and beginner clinics, as well as providing private and group instruction to players of all ability levels.

His extensive equipment knowledge comes from over 20 years with custom club fitting and club repair. Jim takes great pride in the success of his students which include State High School Champions, a former Collegiate All-American, and the 2015 Michigan Open Champion. In addition to private and group lessons, Jim’s expertise will enhance your corporate outings. Whether you are brand new to golf or an elite player, Jim’s professionalism will make your golf experience enjoyable.

Scott graduated from the University of Michigan in 2001 after competing collegiately on the varsity golf team for 4 straight years. He was the captain of the team in 2000-2001, was ranked as high as 47th in the nation as an amateur golfer.

Scott traveled the U.S. and Canada playing professional mini tours. He finished in the top-5 in the Michigan Open 4 years in a row (2004-2007). He was named to Golf Digest’s “Top Teachers in Your State” list in 2006 after his first 5-years teaching at the Kendall Academy where he taught private lessons/golf schools/junior camps.

His extensive equipment knowledge and club-fitting experience comes from his work in the CLUBoratory beginning in 1999 and he continues to stay educated in the technical aspects of modern equipment. Scott prides himself on scientific knowledge. Everything he does has its roots in geometry and physics. Scott is a Certified Trackman Professional and uses the Trackman Launch Monitor to teach his students the “Ball Flight Laws.” In 2009, Scott earned his first Golf Stroke Engineering Degree and was the first and only Authorized Instructor of The Golfing Machine in the State of Michigan.

His continued education allows him to understand golf from a very mechanical foundation. He teaches mechanics first and how a golfer can eventually transition from mechanics to feel. He is also very capable of translating his technical knowledge into easily usable information. If you are looking for a modern golf scientist then Scott would be a good fit. Keep in mind that the ball only reacts to the application of the instrument you hold in your hands. So be prepared to talk about how to control the club by controlling your hands.

John grew up in Novi, Michigan and started taking lessons at the Kendall Academy at age 15. This is where John developed a passion for learning about golf. John played 4 years of varsity golf at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and was a 2016 All State selection.

John played 3 years of varsity golf at Spring Hill College (Mobile, Al) and was on the SIAC All Conference team 2017-18, 2018-19.

The Kendall Academy previously hired John as a college student in between his junior and senior year. During that Summer, John captured the attention of both the students and the coaches that he worked with as the type of talented, caring, and considerate person that Kendall Academy would be proud to have on its list of fine Coaches. Currently, John is a PGA of America associate working towards full membership. John began his journey as a full time instructor in July of 2020 and has given over 3,500 private lessons and over 400 hours of group instruction. John’s goal as an instructor is to help his students understand the proper swing mechanics and required body movements to hit the ball effectively in addition to teaching his students the ball flight laws so students can diagnose and fix issues on their own.

Jimmie grew up in Livonia, where he attended Livonia Franklin and spent time playing for Schoolcraft College upon graduation. However, Jimmie figured out that he had more of an thirst for helping others with their games and started pursuing teaching at an early age.

He joins the team at the Kendall Academy, recently moving back from Tampa, FL. Jimmie spent the first 4yrs in Florida working as a Head Golf Professional and a Certified Coach with GOLFTEC. For the last 3yrs, Jimmie has been a Director of Instruction specializing in group lessons, junior lessons, short game lessons, course management/playing lessons, tournament prep and 1 on 1 private lessons.

He enjoys and has experience working with all skill levels from beginners to Tour Players. Jimmie has given over 9,000 one hour lessons during his first 10years of teaching and he’s confident he can help your game.

Shawn attended Ferris State University where he received a degree in Professional Golf Management and became a member Of the PGA of America. He worked at various golf establishments, including Treetops and Innisbrook, where he managed junior programs, corporate outings and private lessons. In 2007, Shawn came to Miles of Golf as a club fitter. While enjoying this role, Shawn pursued further education, earning an associate’s degree in math and science from Washtenaw Community College and a dual degree in mechanical and bioengineering from the University of Michigan. The engineering degrees gave Shawn an in depth understanding of how the body moves, and why the ball does what it does. In 2024 he returned to teaching as he believes in the significant impact education can have on a golfer’s game.

Mikaela grew up in West Bloomfield, Michigan, and began taking golf lessons at Kendall Academy at the age of nine. Inspired by her cousin playing on the LPGA tour and having amazing mentors and coaches, a deep passion for the game developed. She traveled the country as a junior golfer, played varsity golf in high school, and collegiate golf at the University of Michigan. She played on the team for five years and graduated with a Master of Social Work. During her time at U of M, she helped lead the team to their first Big 10 title in program history, finished as an individual medalist twice, and twice earned the honor of being named Big 10 Golfer of the Week.

Competing at such a high level allowed Mikaela to gain a comprehensive understanding of both the technical and mental aspects of the game. Her focus on the mental side in particular helped her transfer her skills to the course and play her best in high-pressure situations. She has attended Vision 54’s “Human Skills” training to learn about golf’s hidden fundamentals and studied golf’s mental game. She has worked with various athletes as a sports performance coach and is certified in sport social work. All of these personal, educational, and professional experiences involving the mind’s impact on one’s golf game are woven into Mikaela’s teaching style.

Through helping you understand your tendencies, Mikaela empowers you to become the expert of your own game and confidently transfer your practice success to the course. She works with both technique and mental skills so you can hit better shots, have more fun playing, and bring your full skillset to the course.

Justin grew up in Livonia, Michigan learning to play golf at 6 years old. After playing golf in high school and local tournaments, Justin achieved All-Conference honors, joining the golf team at Saginaw Valley State University. After graduating college with an Exercise Science Degree, Justin became a member of the PGA and quickly became the lead golf instructor for the city of Livonia Golf Courses for 6 years. His passion for the game allowed him to grow his knowledge by obtaining certifications with the Titleist Performance Institute and through PGA Education. For the last 3 years, Justin has been the Director of Instruction at Oak Pointe Country Club teaching all levels of golfers.

Justin brings an easy-going teaching atmosphere and knowledge of the human body to help his students achieve their golfing goals. He believes not all golf swings are the same and uses the mobility and flexibility of his students to help build a high-functioning golf swing that is unique for that golfer. Justin specializes in junior development; swing analysis and club speed training but can teach and work with students of all skill levels.

An award-winning Lead Golf Instructor, Vinny Diroff is recognized in the industry for his golf coaching success, player development abilities, use of the latest golf technologies and youth golf program expertise. He has delivered a consistent record of extraordinary results in personal instruction, program management, and relationship building. Throughout his tenure, Vinny has earned several certifications in the use of technology. He has obtained certifications through Swing Catalyst level 2, SAM Puttlab level 2, KVEST, Trackman, Foresight GCquad, TPI and USKG.

Since 2010, Vinny has served in key teaching, program coordination, and operational roles for one of Georgia’s premier country clubs, The Landings Golf & Athletic Club. As Lead Teaching Professional, One of his biggest successes is his track record of coaching a female youth golfer from age 7 to 18 to a #200 ranking in the World Amateur Golf Rankings and receipt of a scholarship to Georgia Southern University. His performance at the country club has been recognized by multiple outlets, including acknowledgment as one of Golf Magazines Top 100 Teachers to Watch, 2022 Georgia PGA South Chapter Teacher/Coach of the Year and 2016 Georgia PGA East Chapter Assistant Professional of the Year. Vinny has been mentored by and has coached alongside two Top 100 Golf instructors Joe Plecker and Carol Preisinger.

Vinny holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Ferris State University and obtained his Class A PGA certification from the Professional Golf Management program in 2009. Before moving to Georgia, Vinny was raised in South Lyon Michigan and graduated from South Lyon High School. Vinny has a 5-year-old daughter, Aspen Rose, who he loves helping her gain a love for the game of golf. Vinny teaches golf because he loves helping people change the trajectory of their golfing experience in a way they never thought possible. He coaches with the philosophy of first understanding the ball flight laws and then making adjustments to them that best suites the individual’s unique body structure.

Our Team

Dedicated to your game improvement

DAVE KENDALL, PGA

PATRICK WILKES-KRIER, PGA

JIM YUHAS, PGA

SCOTT HAYES

JOHN KARCHER

JIMMIE HISSONG

SHAWN ZAWODNI

MIKAELA SCHULZ

JUSTIN ADAMS, PGA

VINNY DIROFF, PGA

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