Ed Provow
Director of Golf
Springbrook Golf Course/Naperbrook Golf Course
eprovow@napervilleparks.org
History
Ed currently serves as the Director of Golf Services for both Springbrook and Naperbrook Golf Courses. In addition, he is a 24-year Naperville Park District Golf Professional, a 19-year member of the Professional Golfer’s Association of America, and an associate member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. Ed attended the College of DuPage where he concentrated on furthering his education in the classroom, as well as on the golf course. During this time he became captain of the team, and a two-time second team All-American. Ed completed his schooling at North Central College, where he was again named captain of the golf team. 36-year residents of Naperville, Ed and his wife Lorri have enjoyed raising their kids, Kayley and Craig, in the community.
Teaching Philosophy
The “Provow” teaching style that my father passed on to me and one that I’ve learned from numerous great instructors evolved around one sure principle; THE GOLF BALL DOESN’T LIE. The flight of the ball and quality of the hit tell the entire story. As a teacher, my job is to improve the ball flight and the quality of the hit. The “Provow” teaching style recognizes that there is no one way to play the game of golf, and although there are many ways to play the game, there are only a few fundamentals that apply to all. The key to teaching is to master these fundamentals and to have many ways to express them to your students.
Approach to Teaching
I’ve always believed and taught the game of golf from green to tee. I believe the mental aspect is of most importance if you want a person to learn. Teaching the short game first and working back to the tee, we establish confidence in the student with successful results/improvement/understanding and the student’s confidence in the instructor. With my approach of teaching, students learn the five fundamental positions I believe all good players experience in the course of a swing. With an understanding of the fundamentals and swing drills based on continuous repetition, students experience immediate and continuing improvement in their understanding of the golf game/swing.
Mike Lyzun
Head Golf Professional
Springbrook Golf Course
mlyzun@napervilleparks.org
History
Mike is a graduate of the Golf Professional Training Program (GPTP) administered by the Professional Golfer's Association of America (PGA). He was elected to membership in March of 1999. His current PGA classification is A-1, Head Golf Professional. Mizuno, Titleist, and Hogan certify Mike as a custom club fitter. Mike is an accomplished player, having won the Illinois Section Fall Classic. He has qualified for the Club Professional Championship, the Illinois Open, and the Oldsmobile Scramble National Finals. He also was a member of Naperville North High School's state championship golf team, the first men's championship in North's history. Mike has been employed by the Naperville Park District since 1995 and has been a Naperville resident since 1975.
Teaching Philosophy
“My teaching philosophy is simple. I personalize each lesson to meet the individual's needs. People come with their own predetermined objectives and skill sets and have varying expectations, and each individual's abilities and limitations must be identified in order for successful learning to occur. There is not one perfect swing. I try to enhance what each student brings to the table.”
Approach to Teaching
“For beginning golfers, I like to assess a student’s natural ability by starting with the short game. Starting on or near the putting green allows me to determine what kind of "feel" one has. "Feel" refers to the ability to control the distance the ball will travel. Putting and chipping are a great way to demonstrate this concept. After running through some brief exercises with the students, I am then equipped with the knowledge to structure a lesson program that is appropriate for each individual.
For the intermediate to advanced golfer, I prefer to hear their explanation about what may be wrong or those skills that need improvement. Through this conversation, I am able to determine their level of ability and expectations. Once we have agreed upon the most effective course of action, a detailed lesson program can be developed and implemented.”
Dave Taylor
Assistant Golf Professional
Springbrook Golf Course
dtaylor@napervilleparks.org
History
Dave is in his 6th season at Springbrook Golf Course, and is a member of the Professional Golfer's Association of America. Prior to coming to Springbrook Dave was the Head Golf Professional at Shambolee Golf Club in Petersburg, IL as well as Boy's Varstiy Golf Coach at Porta High School. Dave's previous employment in teaching golf has been at The Oaks Golf Course in Springfield, IL, The Quechee Club in Quechee, VT, Des Moines Golf and Country Club in Des Moines, IA and Royal Poinciana Golf Club in Naples, FL.
Teaching philosophy
“I try to keep it simple. Golfers need to master the basic fundamentals so that their swings can feel effortless. Using the basics of set-up, alignment, ball position and most important balance, golfers can learn to feel that “good” swing. I believe that the biggest part of the game is from less than 100 yards from the green, so to achieve improvement, a golfer first needs to work on their short game. Using the proper fundamentals around the green will improve a golfer’s short game and ultimately their score.”
Approach to Teaching
“My approach is based on each individual and his/her understanding of how to use the proper techniques and drills in an effort to achieve their goals.”
Kevin Carlson
Golf Course Superintendent
Springbrook Golf Course
kcarlson@napervilleparks.org
