Future Champions Golf Academy Instruction Team
Lead Instructor - Chris Smeal, PGA
Junior Instructor- Antrone Williams, PGA Apprentice
About Chris Smeal, PGA
"Chris has a passion to help people play golf better and it is apparent as soon as you meet him. It has been very positive to have my son work with Chris the past 3 years and I appreciate the lessons he has learned during this time. Chris connects well with kids and teens and that separates him from other instructors we have worked with".
All it took was giving one group lesson in 2002 and Chris knew he wanted teach Golf as a career!
Chris has dedicated the past 8 years to learning the most effective ways to develop a junior golfer. He has given more than 10,000 private lessons, more than 100 golf camps and schools, and more than 1,500 group lessons. He has learned the secrets of the top players in the country and how they spend their time working on their game. In addition Chris has made numerous trips to PGA Tour events to film the best and study what they do so well and how they got to the level they have. He has also filmed many of the best juniors to help visually show you what the best players are doing that helps them play so well. He has also attended almost every PGA Teaching Summit by Top 100 Instructors in Southern California the past five years.
Chris and the Future Champions Golf Academy have partnered up with the Callaway Golf Company to help develop the Nation's #1 Junior Golf Program. This program along with your instruction, practice routine, and tournament schedule will help you become one of the best players.
GOALS
"To Help Each of My Students "PLAY" better golf". My plan is to help you learn a simple way to play the game based on timeless fundamentals and principles. We will work on areas that make you a better player and will waste no time with non-sense. I provide each of my students with lesson notes, cd of swing, handouts, and practice programs to help you budget your time and improve. Lastly - Get out and play! It all happens on the course so learn how to score!
PHILOSOPHY
ON GOLF
Keep things simple! Keep your mind clear! Understand the principles and the laws of the swing. Understand the Ball Flight Laws. Play Golf!
THE SWING
Every players swing is different. I like to help my players develop the key areas that help you gain control of your ball flight. You must know where the ball is going before you hit it. This can be attained with proper awareness of impact conditions for desired flight pattern. Your foundation (set-up, grip)
must match what you are trying to do to create the desired ball flight. From there we can develop more speed, more shot making skills, and better ball flight patterns.
SHORT GAME
Short Game development focusing on trajectory and spin control to create a simple system around the greens. Visualization techniques help students see the correct shot to play. Putting is developed by learning to read greens the best you can, drills and techniques to get the ball started on your line consistently.
AWARDS and DEGREES
- San Diego PGA Junior Golf Leader- 2005
- Part of Elite Group of Instructors named "Master Junior Instructor in the US" - 2009
- Recognized as One of the Top 50 Junior Instructors in America--2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
- Apprentice Professional of the Year,
San Diego Chapter PGA-2004
- Cerified Body Balance Fitness Instuctor- 2005
- Became a PGA Member in January of 2005 by completing the PGA PGM Program.
- Bachelor Degree in Economics from San Diego State University -2001
TEACHING BACKGROUND
- Started Teaching Golf in 2001
- Full-Time Teaching Golf at Stadium Golf Center Since 2004
- Developed the Future Champions Golf Program
- Started the Chris Smeal 5-Day Golf School successfully preparing juniors for Advanced Tournament Play
- Developed the SDSU Summer Golf Camp
- Developed the Callaway Golf Challenge Tour which is now the Callaway National Tour
- Started the San Diego Junior Amateur Tournament in 2008
- Head Instructor for the American Golf and Tennis Academy- 2006
- Head of Group Clinics at Stadium Golf Center- 2001-2005
- Worked with 7 Players from Ranch Bernardo High School Golf Team- 2007
- Assistant Golf Coach for Rancho Bernardo High School- 2001
- Assistant Coach for Scripps Ranch High School Girls Team 05/ 06/ 07
- Assistant Coach for Serra High School Boys Team 2005
- Instructor for USA Camps at Pro Kids Golf Academy and Learning Center- 2003
- Junior Camp Instructor- 2001-Present
- Taken multiple lessons with Ben Doyle and Carl Welty who I feel are 2 of the greatest teachers in the game. Attended #1 Ranked Golf School with Butch Harmon. Numerous Teaching Seminars with Jim Flick. Always reading and studying the games greats from before me and filiming and studying the top players of today.
- Attendee of Teaching Workshops and Seminars by Top 100 Golf Instructors
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
- 2009 shot 72 at San Diego Country Club at US Open 1st Stage qualifier to miss by 2 shots
- 2007 Century Club Team Member
- 2007 Co-Champion at first event of SDPGA Season
- 2007 Shot 63 at Admiral Baker Golf Course
- Became a Scratch Golfer in Two Years from age 15-17.
- 2nd Place SDPGA Tri City Championship with a 69- 2004
- Member of the Winning North South Cup Team- 2002
- 2nd Place San Diego PGA Apprentice Championship- 2002
- 2nd Place Quail Ranch PGA Apprentice Event- 2002
- Played 3 Years of Varsity Golf for SDSU- 1997-2000
- Winner 4 Consecutive King Stahlman Mini-Tour Amateur Events- 1997
- Winner of 10 Mini-Tour Amateur Events in 1997
- Course Record 63 at Carmel Mountain Ranch - 1997
- 2nd Place San Diego CIF Championship- 1997
- 4th Place Southern California High School Championship at SCGA- 1997
- Antrone Williams, PGA Apprentice
- Head of Camps and Group Class Program
- Stadium Golf Center
Education
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology at San Diego State University (2005-2007)
- Associate Degree in Arts Transfer Studies at Miramar Community College (2003-2005)
- Graduate of Serra High School (1999-2003)
- Body Balance Certified Golf Professional (2006)
Work Experience
- Pro Kids Golf Academy (2001-2004)
- Tournament Director and Assistant Golf Professional at Stadium Golf Center (2003-present)
- Tournament Director and Director of Camp Instruction for Future Champions Golf (2005-present)
- Golf Coach at Serra High School (2007-2008)
- PGA Apprentice since 2005
- 2006 San Diego Chapter PGA Apprentice of the Year Nominee
- 2008 and 2009 US Kids Top 50 Teachers of the Year Honorable Mention
