“I believe it has worked out that way,” says Veenstra, who is now in his 23^rd year as a PGA teaching professional. A graduate of the Ferris State University Professional Golf Management program, Veenstra knew out of high school he would make a career out of the game he loved. Though he didn’t play golf for Ferris State, he went on to have an impressive highlight reel playing professionally. Veenstra has teed it up in the Buick Open five times and also played in the 1991 National PGA Championship at Crooked Stick. His victories include the 1993 Michigan Open and the 1995 National Oldsmobile Scramble Championship.

Veenstra competed in and won several mini-tour events, and he holds the Michigan Open and course single round record at the Bear, shooting a 62 during the final round of the 1991 Michigan Open. He continues to compete, but much of his attention is focused on a full-time lesson schedule. In fact, one of the first things he’s asked by a new student is how long it’s going to be before they can get in for a lesson.

“I think my students like the fact that my lessons are very structured,” says Veenstra. “I like to tell them that lessons are like a puzzle. You put the edges together first (the fundamentals), then you work your way toward the center until you have a finished product.” With this approach, Veenstra’s students can expect to learn sound fundamentals, an understanding of the swing and a positive way to look at the game in order to keep it fun. “It’s an organized process – each step is in written form to help retain what is learned,” adds Veenstra.

With beginners, Veenstra stays very focused on the fundamental set-up. He encourages repetitions on the range before worrying about playing and scoring. Intermediate golfers still need to work on fundamentals, but Veenstra can usually move on to cause and effect laws of ball flight, too. He also works with these players on how to make adjustments in the middle of a round if necessary. Advanced players are advised to work hard from 100 yards in and a sound mental approach to the game. “These players need to stay focused on the present and be extremely positive,” notes Veenstra.

Due to the nature of his business, finding personal practice time can be tricky for Veenstra. If he’s able to squeeze in an hour and a half, he prefers to chip, then putt, then hit balls, devoting a half hour to each element. Veenstra consistently puts 2/3 of his time toward his short game whenever he is able to practice, because that’s where the game is won and lost. 10 years ago, Veenstra would have told you the best part of his game was his putting; today, he is confident he has a very well-rounded game. Veenstra loves to hit the power fade, but he is up to the challenge of just about any shot.

“The hardest shot I can recall was in the final round of the 1990 National Club Pro Championship,” says Veenstra. He would have to par the final hole at the PGA West Stadium course to qualify for the PGA Championship. It was a daunting par 4, 450-yard dogleg left, with a lake to the left and deep pot bunkers on the right. Any tee shot off line meant certain bogey. “The hole called for a hard draw off the tee,” continues Veenstra, “but I was suffering from a wrist injury and at the time, literally could not hit anything right to left. Instead, I took dead aim at the lake on the left and sliced the ball back toward the fairway on the right. I hit a 6-iron onto the green from there and two-putted for my par. Having to aim at a lake and trust that you will slice the ball is not exactly the shot you want to hit in that situation,” he finishes. But he made it work and competed at Crooked Stick the following year.

Veenstra doesn’t let much affect him negatively while out on the course. “Just like a sixty minute football game, you have to keep playing until it’s over,” says Veenstra, who adds that you never know when you’ll get hot. He remembers struggling in a 36-hole qualifying tournament, only to birdie four of the last five holes and sneak into a playoff for the last spot. He won the playoff and moved on to the next stage. “It’s never over until the last hole has been played,” says Veenstra.

Veenstra has had countless opportunities to share his enjoyment of the game and positive approach to playing it, but he is especially proud of an 11-year-old named Richard. When Richard first came to Veenstra, his talent was evident. After four years of lessons, Veenstra had molded him into quite a player. This past summer was a bit of a struggle, though, as Richard’s temper became a problem out on the course, according to the young man’s father. Veenstra invited Richard to play 9 holes with him one day and focused on thinking positive on each shot. He advised Richard that no matter what kind of shot he hit, he had to find something good about it, and the three most important words in golf concerning each shot were “can’t change it.”

Richard’s father called Veenstra a few days after that playing lesson to tell him how much his son’s attitude had changed for the better out on the course. He couldn’t believe it. “Ten days later,” recalls Veenstra, “Richard won the Oakland County Junior 12 and Under Division. Second place was an 86, Richard shot a 73. I will be very surprised if he doesn’t play for a major college, if not the Tour.”

Veenstra should know. He’s seen his share of Tour players during his own playing experience, and he has observed the demeanor it takes to compete successfully. “It’s very impressive how everyone just keeps plugging along and going about their business,” notes Veenstra. Should he ever have an opportunity to play for fun, Veenstra would prefer Black Diamond Golf Course above all others. He wouldn’t mind traveling to Palm Springs, California for a round or two, either.

An 11-year resident of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Veenstra has two daughters, Lindsay (12) and Kelsey (10). He teaches at Lake Forest Golf Club & Practice Center. “I love to see the excitement of a student as they improve,” says Veenstra. “I also like the fact that I have developed many personal friendships through the interaction on the lesson tee.” Not bad for what started out as a simple hobby . . . You can e-mail Veenstra for more about lessons at veener6262@aol.com. Thanks for sharing, Brent!