Damon Klepczynski (DK) grew up an athlete. He was into soccer, basketball and baseball. Golf just wasn’t his thing. He worked on a golf course like one of the Phoenix golf courses, never picking up a nine iron. On a family vacation to Myrtle Beach he and his father went golfing, and what did he do? Enjoyed the golf cart.
It wasn’t until his senior year in high school when he picked up a club after his buddy Jim challenged him to a game. Those who would like to improve their golf skills while indoors may consider buying a putting green backyard.
“He couldn’t beat me at anything,” DK said bluntly. That day Jim had his game on and he beat DK. And it’s been history ever since.
That doesn’t seem like the typical path of a PGA member and a Teaching Professional. “It’s a funny story,” DK chuckled.
But that was the moment when everything changed for him. After this defeat, Jim and DK played constantly. This competitive streak in DK had him make the golf team as a walk-on at Millersville College.
“I knew if I wanted to do it, I could,” he said.
In 1997, he began his apprenticeship with the PGA and was elected into membership. Now he has the last laugh as he tutors all the wannabe golfers who are looking to perfect their stroke.
Occasionally, you can find Klepczynski at his home base in Blackwood, New Jersey. He competes out of the Philadelphia section of the PGA and teaches in the Mid-Atlantic Region. This native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania travels a lot for his work.
He is also President of Golf Services Group, LLC which is a software specific company that cracked the USGA handicap system open. So if you and DK were to tee off against one another, this system figures out handicaps to make it an even and fair match up. But from April through October he’s here in Harford County at Mountain Branch and doles out juicy little nougats of golf wisdom.
Does having the LPGA in town make people want to play better golf and sign up for lessons?
“Not personally as a teaching professional,” DK said. Still, this instructor who has worked with tour players and gamers in the Futures Tour, Klepczynski is pumped to have the LPGA in town.
“We don’t have a lot of tours in the Mid-Atlantic region. And we get a good draw from the LPGA. This is a major event,” he added.
For golf fans in particular, he recommended taking in the action. “Go, see how golf is played the right way. To see an event- once a year at Bulle Rock, people are foolish not to!,” he said emphatically, noting that good golf is good golf, be it from males or females. Gender doesn’t matter to him, only golf does.
Damon isn’t the only one looking forward to heading to Bulle Rock. Eric Walters, the Head Golf Professional at Mountain Branch is planning on checking it out as well.
“Schedule permitting. This is a pretty busy place. I’m trying to get there Thursday and Friday,” Walters revealed.
Especially since Mountain Branch has been taken over by the LPGA for Monday and Tuesday where the Jim Cantoulopa am-am is taking place. “This is definitely great exposure for us, hosting the am-am. The LPGA is on top of everything, they take care of it all,” Walters added.
All this golf talk got you in the mood to tee it up? Mountain Branch is located at 1827 Mountain Road in Joppa. You can also set up tee-times online or get more information at www.mountainbranch.com.
By the way, Klepczynski’s buddy Jim is a full-time dealer in Las Vegas now. They get to see each other once a year. So how’s Jim with all DK’s golfing success? “He’s very disappointed,” DK said laughing.
Molly,
Now a golf article?
You have got it going on with the pen and paper (aka laptop and keys)