Reno was hooked on golf at age 20. An avid sailor, tennis player and skier, Reno enjoyed the daily challenge that she only found in golf. "With sailing," notes Reno, "your primary challenge is the wind and its direction and strength. With golf, not only do you have to contend with the golf course as it is found on that day, but also the weather." A graduate of UC Riverside with a B.S. in Psychology, Reno earned her Masters in Physical Education from CSU Fullerton. A well-rounded, talented athlete, she played field hockey in college.

As a teaching professional, Reno works with beginners to advanced players and focuses on different aspects of the game for each. She advises beginners to start easy, giving them specific drills to work on each lesson that she encourages them to do when they practice. Reno suggests they hit just one small bucket each practice session and to leave immediately if they get frustrated. Beginners should finish practice whenever possible on a positive note, for instance, a good shot. Reno helps intermediate players work on particular points of their game by asking them to take notes after each round they play. Reno then directs the lesson around those factors. Advanced players can expect a similar approach, but Reno also recommends they spend much more of their practice time on their short games and to play regularly.

"In my lessons, I try to find out what’s wrong with the swing, correct it and give the students specific drills to work on," says Reno. "I also hope they had fun during the lesson." Reno’s teaching style draws repeat visits from many of her students. They appreciate her ability to make the lesson fun with her good humor and KISS (keep it simple stupid) approach. "I try to keep my instruction simple by using analogies," says Reno, who asks students what other sports they play or what job they have and relates the golf swing to what they may already know. "I find it’s easy to teach someone if I can relate to his or her likes," adds Reno.

Reno works on her own game by warming up with wedges and then working her way to her driver. If something needs work, she’ll focus more attention on it. She then finishes up on the range by warming down with some soft wedges. She’ll move to the practice green for chipping and putting, trying to do both each day, but making sure she does each at least every other day. Reno never hits balls for more than an hour and tries to devote at least half the hour to chipping and putting. A "short hitter" off the tee, Reno recalls playing the number one hole at her parents’ club, a par 5 from the forward tees. "I absolutely drilled my driver, hit 3-wood onto the green and putted the ball into the hole for an eagle!" raves Reno.

Inspired by such players as Dottie Pepper (for her determination) and Phil Mickelson (for his touch around the greens), Reno loves the game and its never-ending challenges. She once faced a 140-yard fairway bunker shot with the ball above her feet and a tall tree to clear. She hit a smooth 4-iron that she may have hit too well, as it landed at the back of the green. Despite the result, Reno played the ball exactly the way she wanted to – an attitude she passes along to her students. "I try to take each shot as it comes and work on staying relaxed," says Reno. Her favorite shot to make is a lob shot over a bunker to a tight lie.

Reno’s favorite color is blue, so she tends to wear it a lot out on the course. When she feels good about her game, she tends to use a specific ball marker. When the tides turn, she changes her marker. So it was with sailing for Reno, who had to wear the same outfit (clean, of course) on consecutive days of a regatta that was going well. When sailing poorly, Reno changed her clothes.

Reno gives her lessons at Beaver Park Golf Center. She’s been working with a 14-year old girl since last summer who was a brand new beginner to the game. She was nervous and swung the club awkwardly. A year later, Reno continues to work with her, but now she "looks like a golfer." She hits the ball straight and is considering trying out for her high school freshman golf team, thanks to Reno. "Most importantly," says Reno, "she is having fun and improving at every lesson."