TROON COACH SPOTLIGHT
This fall , we celebrate the remarkable career of Michael Lamanna , PGA , who recently retired after 18 years as Director of Instruction at The Phoenician Golf Resort in Scottsdale , AZ . A dedicated PGA Professional , Michael ’ s impact on the game has been profound , and we are proud to highlight his contributions as part of the Troon family .
Michael ’ s coaching journey began in the Northwest , where he worked as a club professional before transitioning into full-time instruction in 1990 . His career took off at the Jim McLean Golf Academy at Legend Trail , where he served as Director of Schools and collaborated with industry leaders like Top 100 Instructor Scott Sackett . From 2002 to 2006 , Michael was the Director of Instruction at La Cantera Golf Resort in San Antonio , TX , before joining The Phoenician , where he spent nearly two decades inspiring students to achieve their golfing goals . Though retired , Michael continues to coach on Fridays and Saturdays for alumni students at The Phoenician .
A recipient of prestigious accolades , Michael was named the Harvey Penick “ Teacher of the Year ” in the Western Chapter of Texas ( 2004 ) and the Southwest Section “ Teacher of the Year ” ( 2016 ). He has consistently been recognized among the best instructors in Arizona by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine . Reflecting on his career , Michael shared his gratitude for learning from legendary coaches and emphasized the importance of adapting to each student ’ s unique needs , goals , and learning styles .
Michael , from everyone at Troon , we thank you for your unwavering commitment to growing the game and the lasting legacy you leave behind . As you eloquently put it , “ The years with Troon have been the best part of my career . I saved my best for last !”
Troon Coach Newsletter | Fall 2024 4