Meet the Golf Staff

Julian Thompson was named our PGA Head Golf Professional in October of 2018. Originally from Michigan, Julian broke into the golf business in 2012 at Blythefield Country Club in Grand Rapids. It was here that Julian was able to learn directly from Patti Butcher and indirectly from Craig Harmon, former LPGA and PGA Golf Professional of the Year award winners in their own right.

After having spent time at Winnetka Golf Club in 2013 and White Oak Country Club in 2014, Julian found his home at Ravinia Green Country Club in March of 2015. Julian quickly made an incredible impact on the club and the membership as a whole. As the PGA 1st Assistant Golf Professional from 2015 – 2018, Julian was able to manage all aspects of a very successful golf operation. During that time, Julian was recognized for his play on the course during Illinois PGA tournaments and his professionalism off the course. Below are a list of his most recent accomplishments:

-2016 ClubCorp Rising Star Award
-2017 Royal Cup Team
-2017 Elected to PGA Membership
-2018 Royal Cup Team
-2018 ClubCorp Assistant Golf Professional of the Year
-2018 IPGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year (runner up)
-2018 Elected to Illinois PGA Board of Directors
-2019 Chosen for PGA Lead Class of 2019-2020

Due to his professionalism and expertise, Julian continues to shine as our PGA Head Golf Professional here at RGCC.

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.