WGANJ Teaching Professionals

We offer individual and group lessons taught by golf teaching professionals who meet WGANJ standards and have demonstrated success as both players and teaching pros.  Our pros join us in our dedication to providing women with the best golfing opportunities available in New Jersey with an emphasis on continuing education.            

Our relationship with these pros is strong and their support and commitment to WGANJ is integral to our success as an Association.  We encourage all members to work with these pros - to learn and improve your golf skills!

Meet Our Teaching Golf Professionals:

Debbie O'Connell

Meet Debbie O'Connell. A 25-year veteran of women’s professional golf and an LPGA Class A Teaching and Club Professional (T&CP). As a club professional, Debbie held the prestigious position of Head Golf Professional for over 15 years.

Here are some awards that she has been given through the years:

Digest Magazine - Top 50 Best Women Teachers in America (2010 & 2012)

LPGA's Top 50 Best Teachers (2008 & 2009)

Inaugural recipient of the Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award (2007)

LPGA National Professional of the Year (2002).

DebbieOConnell@golf-positive.com

AJ Spicer

AJ grew up the of a PGA Professional and played NCAA Division II golf from 2000-2004 before turning pro. He honed his skills at the Morris County Golf Club in Morristown, NJ for 6 seasons before moving on to the White Beeches Golf & Country Club in Haworth, NJ for a season.

AJ Spicer is the Director of Instruction at the AJ Spicer School of Golf as well as being a PGA Member, a Hank Haney Associate Instructor, and a US Kids Golf Top Instructor. 

In 2012, AJ decided to branch out and start the School of Golf., when not at the school AJ can be found at the Paramus Golf Course in Paramus, NJ and from November through March, the Metro Athletic Club in Tenafly, NJ.

As the Director of Instruction, I offer Private Instruction, Group Clinics, and Junior Camps. You can reach me through my website at www.ajspicergolf.com

Current Rates for WGANJ Members:

1 hour $125. 5 pack $550, 10 pack $1,000, Clinics (4 or more golfers): $35 /hr /player

ajspicer@pga.com

Jeff Ward

Jeff was recently nominated Top 50 Instructors by US Kids.  He is currently the Head Golf Professional at Twin Willows Golf Course and is working through his apprenticeship to become a PGA Professional after completing his education at William and Mary.  Last year, he and his wife started the Twin Willows Golf Academy providing high end Golf and Fitness Instruction.

Jeff grew up locally in Montville, NJ. As Junior and Senior, Jeff achieved the rank of All-State Golfer in his Montville High School.  He loves working with students of all ages and gets a sense of pride when one of his new golfers is ready to hit the course.

 Current Rates for WGANJ Members:
  $75 - 30 min.;  $125 - 50 min.;  $75/each - 1 hour group lesson (min 3 golfers)

jkward79@yahoo.com

Peter Busch

Pete has been with Galloping Hill since 2010 and has been a certified PGA member for over 40 years and has served as a past board member of the NJ section. Pete was born and raised in the Union County, NJ. He was the Head Professional for 10 years at Maplewood Country Club before taking over at Shackamaxon Country Club, where he was the Director of Golf for over 20 years. Pete has an extensive playing career highlighted in 2001 when he earned NJ Senior Player of the Year honors and in 2009 when he won the NJ Senior Open Championship, and the MGA Senior Open in 2012. Pete has consistently placed in the top 20 in NJ Section events and uses his playing experience to help his students.  Whether you are a beginner or accomplished player looking to fine tune your game, Pete and his teaching philosophy can help you achieve the next level of your game.

Pete’s philosophy is to use the golf club along with your body in a simplistic and efficient manner. This will help golfers of all skill levels achieve the most out of their game. He works with the student to develop the best swing for that person.  He is proficient in all areas of the short game, including specializing in the “art of putting” and is considered one of the finest putters in the area. He uses the V1 video teaching system for all his lessons along with a video analysis sent to each student. He continually sits on the NJPGA Junior Committee and has always been very influential in training for junior golfers. He coaches for the 1st Tee of Raritan Valley, the Els for Autism, plus assists Union County Special needs in teaching children the game.

Pete can be reached at pbusch@kempersports.com