News
Meet the Pro
Gianna Augustine
A Midwest Section PGA Member with a Backpack Full of Awards , Accolades , and More …
by Ann E . Butenas , contributing writer
Confidence in the game of golf is a must-have . Granted , talent does play into the equation , as does hard work , but confidence helps to sustain those elements . One such individual who consistently displays confidence without letting her ego take the wheel is Midwest Section PGA member Gianna Augustine . A natural-born talent and enthusiastic supporter of the game , Gianna , also known as “ Coach G ” to her students , has worked tirelessly to get to where she is today .
No stranger to hard work and discipline , Augustine is just as much a student of the game as she is a master of the sport . For her , golf isn ’ t just about keeping score or winning awards . It is also about life , and she has created a pretty successful life for herself , focused on inspiring others to reach their own potential on all levels . When it comes to encouraging students and providing inspiration , Augustine is just the person for the job . Like any great teacher , she has a knack for bringing out the best in others . to understand how Augustine got to where she is today , it helps to take a peek at her impressive background . She focuses much of her work on juniors but also teaches groups for adults , mainly women at the beginning and intermediate levels . She typically conducts private lessons with higher-level players .
Currently gracing her mantel are two impressive awards : the 2022 Midwest Section PGA Player Development Award and the 2021 LPGA Central Section Junior Leader Award . However , Augustine had to put in a lot of effort over the years to obtain these honors . It all began when she was just three years of age .
“ My dad took me to the driving range , and that is when I hit my first golf ball ,” she recalled . By age five , Augustine began lessons with Tony Roberts , who was the head pro at St . Andrews at the time . “ He retired a couple of years ago , and since I began my job at Sykes / Lady in 2017 , we had the opportunity to work together a bit .”
As Augustine was growing up , she seized every opportunity to play golf .
“ My parents exposed me to so many opportunities , so I had no choice but to be good at the game ,” she quipped .
By the time Augustine hit the high school level , she had secured three Kansas State High School Championships for St . Thomas Aquinas . She remained undefeated during her sophomore year . Throughout her high school career , Augustine won 29 out of 35 tournaments and , in 2009 , was selected as a National High School Golf Coaches Association All-American .
Gianna Augustine , “ Coach G ,” with a few of her students who made signs to cheer her on at the 2022 Watson Challenge . The first women golfer to play in the Challenge .
As a golf professional at Sykes / Lady and St . Andrews , Overland Park Golf Division , Augustine is in a very noble position that allows her to mold character , integrity , and quite possibly , the very future of her students . It is not a role she takes lightly , either . However ,
12 May 2023 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE
During her junior golf career under the coaching of Stan Thirsk , instructor for Tom Watson , Augustine also scored two Kansas Amateur Championships and qualified for eight USGA Championships , which included two U . S . Women ’ s Amateur events and four U . S . Women ’ s Amateur Public links events . She advanced to match play at the 2011 U . S . Women ’ s Amateur Public Links Champions at Brandon Dunes .
“ These USGA events are unmatched ,” she said . “ And I want to qualify for more down the road , such as one day qualifying for the USGA Women ’ s Senior Open . I enjoy being in high-level competitions .”
Augustine gives a strong nod to the PGA of America for conducting such phenomenal events .