Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, John's career began as an outstanding
junior player and one of the top high school players in the state. In 1974,
John won the AAA State High School championship as a sophomore, being only
the second sophomore to win that title besides Jack Nicklaus. John went on
to play collegiate golf at the University of Tennessee under a full golf
scholarship and led his team to win the SEC Championship for the first time
ever in 1980. John was elected to the 1981 Coaches All-American team.
Among other top players who received that prestigious award were Fred Couples, Hal
Sutton, Bob Tway, John Cook, Chip Beck, Jay Don Blake, Dan Forsman and Jeff
Sluman.
John turned Pro in 1981 and began competing professionally in South America
where he won his third tournament in Santiago, Chile by finishing the last
three holes with a birdie-eagle-birdie to win by one shot over Johnny
Miller.
After a successful South American tour, John played ten weeks in Asia and
competed with Greg Norman and Nick Price. John qualified for the PGA Tour
in the 1983, 1984 and 1985 seasons. In 1984, John played in the U.S. Open at
Winged Foot, one of the highlights of his career. During that year, John
became afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis, the severity of which abruptly
ended his competitive golfing career.
John is currently the owner of Master Golf, a driving range and golf
instruction facility located in Boardman, Ohio approximately 50 miles west
of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and 70 miles southeast of Cleveland. In addition
to providing private lessons to many local business owners and area
physicians, John has also instructed two former presidents (Gerald Ford and George Bush.)
John conducts golf clinics for many diverse clientele from country clubs
to school athletic leagues. John is regularly retained for speaking engagements
and his golf tips have been televised in the Northeast, Ohio viewing area.
John has spent considerable time studying the mental aspects of the game and
has been particularly successful imparting his expertise to his clients.
Also, John has just completed a starring role in the filming an infomercial
for new putter company, which will be aired Nationally in 2000.
