Meet the Golf Staff

Matt is a dedicated golf professional with over 10 years of golf expertise.  Golf was taught to Matt at an early age from his Grandfather who was passionate about the game.  The passion continued to develop through playing High School, College, and eventually entering the PGA of America. 

He and his wife Kelly reside in Round Lake with their two children Emerson (20 months) & Benjamin (3 Months).   Kelly is a registered nurse working in the Oncology Department at Northwestern Hospital Downtown.  

He has spent time working at Champaign CC, CC of Florida, Knollwood, Bears Club, Secession, and Glen Flora CC.  He is entering his first year at Ravinia Green CC.  Matt has a strong background in Jr Golf, Merchandising, and Tournament

Operations.

 Professional Accomplishments:

• Class A Member, Professional Golfers’ Association of America
• Nominee for Private Merchandiser of the Year Illinois PGA, 2019
• 1^st Place Central Illinois PGA Assistants Championship at Champaign Country Club, 2010
• 1^st Place Central Illinois PGA Stroke Play at Coyote Creek, 2010
• T3rd Central Illinois PGA Stroke Play at Ironwood Golf Course, 2010
• T3rd Central Illinois PGA Stroke Play at Pekin Country Club, 2010

My approach to teaching is not a specific method, but a focus on finding a consistent ball flight for each individual student

Andrew Butcher was named First Assistant Golf Professional in March of 2019. He is a PGA Level 2 Associate, working towards PGA Membership by 2020. Andrew grew up in Michigan, learning the game from his father (a low single-digit handicap) at the age of 14. His first job in golf was as a caddie at Walnut Creek Country Club in South Lyon, Michigan, where he fell in love with the game and all of the values and morals that it teaches. Following a dream, he attempted to play golf for a living in his early twenties, and his travels took him South Florida, where he worked at Gleneagles Country Club for Joe DeMino, a respected and decorated PGA Professional. Drawing inspiration from Joe, Andrew decided to make golf his career and become a PGA Member. He took a job as an Assistant Golf Professional at White Oak Golf Club in Newnan, Georgia, beginning his career as a PGA Associate. While at White Oak, he worked his way up to First Assistant, and ultimately, the Lead Performance Center Instructor.

With a passion for golf instruction, Andrew as taken lessons from some of golf’s most sought-after instructors, including Jimmy Ballard (teacher of Curtis Strange and Hal Sutton) and Bill Baldwin, a Michigan PGA Teacher of the Year, among others. He has spent countless hours reviewing video of the game’s greatest champions, and is always reading books on the swing. He takes a holistic approach to golf instruction, striving to understand the physical, technical, and mental aspects that are vital to playing your best. Andrew is excited to join the staff at Ravinia Green Country Club and can’t wait to share his knowledge and passion with the membership!

Nicholas Gums is the 2nd Assistant Golf Professional going on his second season here at Ravinia Green. He began his golf career at Oak Park Country Club in 2018, where he worked as an outside golf ops team member. Nick acquired a 1st Assistant Golf Professional offer in North Port, Florida, working under PGA Director of Instruction, Kyle Wagar. Nick noticed his passion for golf flourishing with club repair and saw teaching as a way everyone can enjoy the game as much as he does with a little guidance and understanding. Growing knowledge and experience in the golf industry, Nick is motivated to assist your game by custom building your clubs to helping with somatic and abstract thoughts on the course.