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Meet Our Award‑Winning PGA Professionals
World-class instruction. Personalized coaching. Results you can feel.
Meet Our Expert PGA Professionals
At the Palm Desert Golf Academy, our team of seasoned PGA Professionals is dedicated to elevating every aspect of your game. Whether you’re seeking private lessons, group instruction, or junior development, their expertise ensures your learning is personalized, insightful, and results-driven.
Paul Bucy, PGA
Director of Instruction
Credentials & Experience
Specialty Areas
Read Paul’s Bio
Paul Bucy, PGA
Director of Instruction
As the Director of Instruction at Desert Willow Golf Resort, Paul Bucy brings over 25 years of elite coaching experience and an unmatched passion for helping golfers achieve their full potential. He specializes in Signature Golf School experiences, advanced video swing analysis, custom club fitting, and one-on-one coaching tailored to golfers of all skill levels.
Paul’s instructional journey has connected him with some of the biggest names in the game, Nick Faldo, Annika Sörenstam, Mike Weir, Gary Player, Jason Day, and Tiger Woods’s coach Sean Foley among them. His ability to translate high-level insights into practical, approachable lessons is what sets him apart.
A multi-time award winner, Paul has earned accolades including:
- DCPGA Teacher of the Year (2024, 2020, 2012)
- Junior Golf Leader of the Year (2008–2010)
- DCPGA Horton Smith Award for Education (2011)
- PING Club Fitter of the Year (2010)
Whether coaching tour professionals, collegiate athletes, or beginners looking to break 100, Paul’s instruction is defined by its clarity, impact, and fun, low-pressure atmosphere. His focus includes swing fundamentals, short game strategy, putting precision, and on-course management.
Paul remains active in the game, playing in over 20 professional tournaments annually, including the Southern California PGA Professional Championship. He has coached junior golfers who’ve gone on to compete at top universities like USC, Texas Tech, Arizona, San Diego, the U.S. Naval Academy, and more. Locally, he’s mentored standout players from Palm Desert High School, La Quinta High School, and Xavier College Prep.
Beyond the academy, Paul contributes to the sport’s growth through service on the SCPGA Teaching Committee and the SCPGA Junior Advisory Board. A respected presenter at the SCPGA Annual Teaching Summit, he also leads professional development seminars for fellow PGA instructors.
Outside the Game:
Paul enjoys quality time with his children, Paul and Isabella.
Ryan Szydlowski, PGA
Assistant General Manager
& Director of Golf
Credentials & Experience
Specialty Areas
Read Ryan’s Bio
Ryan Szydlowski, PGA
Assistant General Manager
& Director of Golf
Originally from Alpena, Michigan, Ryan Szydlowski brings over a decade of experience and enthusiasm to the Palm Desert Golf Academy. A proud graduate of Ferris State University’s prestigious Professional Golf Management Program (Go Bulldogs!), Ryan earned his PGA membership in 2010 and has since dedicated his career to helping golfers of all levels improve and enjoy the game.
Known for his fun and engaging coaching style, Ryan specializes in creating customized improvement plans that align with each student’s unique goals. Whether you’re a beginner or a competitive player, his focus is on making practice more effective, enjoyable, and purposeful.
Ryan’s commitment to his students goes beyond the lesson tee, he actively supports their progress by staying in touch and offering continued guidance. His passion for golf instruction is matched only by his drive to help others develop confidence, consistency, and a lasting love for the game.
Jason Wilkinson, PGA
Head Golf Professional
& Academy Coordinator
Credentials & Experience
Specialty Areas
Read Jason’s Bio
Jason Wilkinson, PGA
Head Golf Professional
& Tournament Coordinator
Originally from Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Jason Wilkinson discovered his love for golf at just 10 years old. That passion led him to Coastal Carolina University, where he earned a degree in Business with a specialization in Professional Golf Management, a foundation that set the stage for a dynamic and successful career in the golf industry.
Jason joined Desert Willow Golf Resort in 2008 and quickly became an integral part of the professional team. Over the years, he has developed extensive expertise in golf operations, tournament coordination, custom club fitting, and instruction. His well-rounded experience ensures every student, guest, and golfer receives expert support across every aspect of the game.
A certified US Kids Instructor and Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) professional, Jason brings a well-rounded, fitness-informed approach to coaching. He enjoys working with players of all skill levels—from juniors and beginners to advanced and competitive golfers, offering tailored instruction, video swing analysis, and hands-on guidance that builds confidence and performance.
Beyond the Course:
When he’s not helping golfers reach their potential, Jason enjoys traveling, hiking, snowboarding, CrossFit training, and exploring the world of personal finance.
Jeff Grant, PGA
First Assistant Golf Professional
Credentials & Experience
Specialty Areas
Read Jeff’s Bio
Jeff Grant, PGA
First Assistant Golf Professional
2023 Desert Chapter Assistant Golf
Professional of the Year
Jeff Grant brings more than a decade of dedicated golf instruction and operational excellence to the Palm Desert Golf Academy. Born and raised in Coto de Caza, California, Jeff grew up immersed in athletics, but it was golf that ultimately captured his full attention at age 13. Under the mentorship of renowned professionals Tom Sargant and Bobby Laskin, Jeff honed both his skills and his understanding of the game’s deeper nuances—setting the foundation for a lifelong career.
After recording the lowest scoring average on his College of the Desert team, Jeff transitioned from competitive play to golf operations, combining his passion for the game with a desire to lead and instruct. He began his professional journey at Classic Club in Palm Desert, where he advanced to PGA Tournament Coordinator and earned his Class A PGA Membership in 2012. There, he successfully ran hundreds of events—from high-profile collegiate invitationals like the Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate to premier corporate and charity tournaments.
Jeff’s teaching style is approachable, supportive, and effective. His experience spans coaching beginners, junior golfers, college athletes, and corporate executives. He believes in building strong fundamentals, instilling confidence, and making the game enjoyable for every student—no matter their level or goals.
Instructional Focus:
• Full Swing Development
• On-Course Strategy
• Short Game & Putting Fundamentals
• Tournament Preparation
A career-low score of 62 at The Lakes Country Club stands as a personal highlight—but for Jeff, the true reward is seeing his students reach new milestones on their own journeys.
Outside the Game:
When he’s not coaching or on the course, Jeff enjoys hosting BBQs, watching sports, and spending time with friends and family. He’s an avid fan of football, baseball, basketball, tennis—and, of course, golf.
Matt Holm, PGA
Assistant Golf Professional
Credentials & Experience
Specialty Areas
Josh Garber, PGA
Assistant Golf Professional
Credentials & Experience
Specialty Areas
Read Josh’s Bio
Josh Garber, PGA
Assistant Golf Professional
2016 & 2019 DCPGA Club Fitter of the Year
2020 DCPGA Bill Strausbaugh Award Recipient
Golf Digest’s America’s Best Club Fitters (2019–2021)
With more than 13 years as a PGA Professional and a reputation for precision, innovation, and passion, Josh Garber brings a unique blend of technical expertise and personal insight to every lesson. As Assistant Golf Professional at Desert Willow Golf Resort, Josh specializes in Video Swing Analysis, Advanced Club Fitting, and Junior Golf Coaching, ensuring players at every level benefit from tailored instruction and cutting-edge tools.
Josh has worked alongside some of golf’s most iconic figures, including Gary Player, Matt Kuchar, Mike Weir, Natalie Gulbis, and renowned coach Sean Foley. In a memorable moment in 2012, he even had the honor of giving a lesson to President George W. Bush. His presence on the Desert Chapter PGA Board of Directors reflects his commitment to the game and its community.
Dedicated to the fundamentals of the swing and the science behind club performance, Josh empowers his students with practical drills, smart routines, and professional-grade fitting. His approach blends technical mastery with a passion for helping golfers enjoy the game more fully and reach their personal best.
Instructional Strengths:
• Video Swing Analysis
• Junior Player Development
• Advanced Club Fitting and Equipment Optimization
• Tournament Preparation & Mental Game Strategy
Whether coaching a junior just picking up the game or a competitive player fine-tuning their performance, Josh creates an environment of focus, improvement, and encouragement.
Beyond the Course:
Josh has called the Coachella Valley home for over 20 years. He lives in Palm Desert with his wife, Gwendolyn, and their two daughters, Hailey and Jocelyn. When he’s not on the course, you’ll find him hiking, barbecuing with family, and enjoying the rhythm of the desert lifestyle, dogs included.
Todd Martin,
PGA Associate
Assistant Golf Professional
Credentials & Experience
Specialty Areas
Read Todd’s Bio
Todd Martin, PGA Associate
Assistant Golf Professional
Raised in San Diego, California, Todd discovered a love for golf at a young age, a passion that would remain a constant throughout his life. After high school, he successfully owned and operated his own business while building a career in the hospitality industry, always finding time to play and share the game he loved.
As a proud father of two sons, Todd spent countless hours with them on the course, supporting their journey through junior golf programs and watching them compete among Southern California’s top young players. Today, golf remains a shared bond between them, and one of Todd’s greatest joys.
With a natural passion for teaching and introducing others to the game, Todd has guided friends, families, and business colleagues into golf over the years. He is currently a PGA Associate and an active contributor to the PGA HOPE program at Desert Willow Golf Resort. He also oversees the resort’s Get Golf Ready program, where his focus is clear: make learning the game approachable, memorable, and most of all, fun.
Beyond the Course:
When he’s not helping others fall in love with golf, Todd enjoys traveling to Hawaii (always with his clubs), reading, playing guitar, listening to music, and exploring his interest in aviation.
Bill Spicknall,
PGA Associate
Assistant Golf Professional
Credentials & Experience
Specialty Areas
Improve Your Game Today
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