PROFILE
Current position: Director of Instruction, La Cantera Golf Club, San Antonio, Texas.
Previous position: Head Teaching Professional, La Cantera Golf Club.
Years as a PGA Professional: 24, Class A.
Top achievements / honors: South Texas PGA Teacher of the Year (2008).
SOCIAL MEDIA / ONLINE
Website: LaCanteraGolf.com
TAP-INS
What app is a must-have on your phone? SportsBox AI
What book(s) would you recommend? "Little Red Book: Lessons and Teachings From a Lifetime In Golf," by Harvey Penick; "Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect," by Bob Rotella.
Who are your favorite golfers? Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
What is your most memorable round of golf? With friends and family.
Q&A
The First Call: What made you want to pursue a career in golf?
Michael Vardeman: Golf is my passion.
TFC: What is your favorite instructional tip to share with a golfer?
MV: Having a good fundamental setup.
TFC: What advice do you have for someone considering a career in golf?
MV: Pursue your passion. It's very rewarding work, especially for me as a teacher. This has been my love for almost 40 years.
TFC: What is the best advice you have received on your career path?
MV: Always continue to learn from the best in your field. I have been so fortunate in my career to be around and learn from the best in the world over my career.
TFC: Is there a particular area of your job that you find most rewarding?
MV: Relationships and watching students improve, so rewarding.
TFC: What is one challenge you currently see in the industry? Thoughts on how to address it?
MV: Pace of play.
TFC: Do you have a preferred style or philosophy for teaching golf?
MV: Keep it simple and stress fundamentals.
TFC: Where is there room for growth within the industry?
MV: Our kids and young adults are the future, so anything we can do to make it fun and affordable is great.
TFC: When you look at your career, in what area(s) do you believe you have evolved for the better?
MV: I am a much better communicator and have learned with the golf swing that less is more. Harvey Penick taught me that valuable lesson.
TFC: How does being a PGA Professional add value to your brand?
MV: Much more creditable.