“Lefty” Larry Buker is a native of Boston, Massachusetts and moved to Santa Barbara in 1970. He earned a Business Administration Bachelor’s Degree, with a focus on Office Systems Management, at CSUN in 1996. Larry began playing golf at the age of 33. During his beginning years in learning to play the game, his passion and desire grew immensely. Larry began working in the Golf Shop at Santa Barbara Golf Club in 2005. His passion to teach the game has continued to grow and is lead by the desire to help golfers of all levels, especially juniors. Currently, he is the program coordinator and lead Coach with The Russ Morrison Junior Golf Program which he has been involved as an Instructor since 2005.
Larry’s passion to help others is proven by being the Instructor for Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital (CRH) “Adaptive Golf Program” since 2004. Other past experiences include: junior volunteer coach with the First Tee Program from 2006-2008, Pro Advisor for SBJGA 2014-2016, and being a golf instructor for UCSB Recreational Sports beginning & intermediate program 2007-2010. “Lefty” Larry has proven his playing skills by successfully passing the PGA’s Players Ability Test in 2008. He teaches basic fundamentals and works with all ages and abilities of golfers to improve their mental game skills and promote positive reinforcement.
Contact: (805) 705-8787 | lbuker@playsantabarbara.com
Brent Cole has been a PGA member since 1997 and has 20+ years experience at Santa Barbara Golf Club. Brent is a Santa Barbara native, he graduated from San Marcos High School as well as UC Santa Barbara. He excels at making connections with golfers and understanding their needs. His simple teaching style is easy to follow and allows golfers of every level to learn something new to improve their game.
Contact: (805) 451-1175 | bcole1@pga.com
Richard Chavez has been a member of the PGA since 1976. He has worked at La Cumber CC as well as becoming owner-operator of Twin Lakes GC from 1977-2000. Richard was Director of Golf at SBGC from 1981-2008 and is now teach at SBGC and Ivey Ranch CC in Palm Desert, Wednesday-Saturday from 10-3.
Richard won Golf Professional of the Year SCPGA in 2000, Club fitter of the Year in 2005 in the NCPGA and inducted into the SCPGA Hall of Fame in 2010.
Contact: 805-895-1646 | rchavez@pga.com
Justin Hight has been a PGA member since 2006 and PGA Certified in Golf Operations since 2011. From Ventura, Justin graduated from Buena High School and then went to Arizona State University in the Professional Golf Management Program. His most recent tenures included, Spanish Hills Club and Moorpark Country Club. Justin enjoys teaching all levels of players and will put together series/programs that are best suitable for your individual experience and to enhance your personal goals and objectives. Other teaching experiences included, PGA Junior League, Women’s Golf Clinics, and was recently certified in PGA HOPE…Helping Our Patriots Everywhere. Some of Justin’s accolades as a PGA Professional include Assistant Golf Professional of the Year, Merchandise of the Year and Bill Strausbaugh Award winner.
Contact: (805) 204-1151 | jhight@playsantabarbara.com
