TRI-STATE
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
DAN RODGERS, PGA
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT TRI-STATE
DAN RODGERS, PGA
Head Men’s and Women’s Golf Coach, Carnegie Mellon University What is your go-to Music? Depends on the time of the year. Dave Matthews Band and Chicago are favorites of mine at any point. In January and February, I find myself listening to a lot of Frank Sinatra and Michael Bublé. As we get closer to summer, I find myself listening to more country or classic rock. What is your go-to Food? A good burrito bowl What is your go-to Snack? Honey Stinger Peanut Butter and Chocolate bars. What is your go-to type of Movie? I would say that I’m all over the board. Major League is an all-time favorite of mine, but I also enjoy movies like Shooter and The Bourne Series. Given my kids' ages, Cars and Toy Story have become favorites of mine as well. Where were you born/raised? Butler, PA
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT TRI-STATE
DAN RODGERS, PGA
Tell us something that people might be surprised to know about you. I was (many years ago) a better trumpet player than I’ve ever been a golfer. Tell us about your family. - Are you married, and do you have any children? My wife, Jen, and I have been married for almost 17 years. We have three children - Lydia (13), Eli (11), and Avery (8). How do you spend your time away from the course? As a family, we love to be outside. We do a lot of hiking, biking, and swimming. Most every trip we take as a family involves a national park. We’ve really enjoyed taking in all the beauty and adventure our national parks have to offer. What is the best part of your game? My iron game What is your best round of Golf? My best tournament round would be the 66 I shot in the final round of the 2020 Falling Rock Classic. If you could play a round of golf with any three people (alive or deceased), whom would they be? I would probably prefer to be a spectator walking with my wife as we watched my three kids play golf with my dad and fatherin-law.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT TRI-STATE
DAN RODGERS, PGA
Name two favorite golf courses that you've played, and what makes them unique to you? Cypress Point - what made it special (other than it’s Cypress Point) was that I got to play it with three of my best friends. Stoughton Acres in Butler - it’s where I learned how to play going out with my brothers and cousins What initially drew you to the game of Golf, and how did you get started? Golf wasn’t something we did when I was younger. I got into golf as my baseball life ended and needed something to do. I tried running on the distance team at Butler High School and very quickly realized that wasn’t my calling. I was 16 and needed something to do...golf was what I found. How long have you been a PGA member, and what made you decide to pursue a career in the PGA of America? I became a member in March of 2008. I didn’t necessarily have a plan when I graduated from Slippery Rock University in May of 2004. My dad has always told me to find something I loved doing and make it my job. I’m thankful for the golf professionals who took a chance on me when I was young and inexperienced and gave me a chance - from there I fell in love with the game and profession.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT TRI-STATE
DAN RODGERS, PGA
Who has had the biggest influence on your life or career, and why? My wife Jen has always pushed me past where I was comfortable. She encouraged me to pursue a graduate degree that helped me get to where I am now. My father-in-law Mark encouraged me to pursue coaching. My dad and mom wanted me to have more opportunities than they did, and supported me getting into the golf business when they knew nothing about it. Could you provide some insight into your previous roles? Head Professional at Sewickley Heights Assistant Professional at Sewickley Heights Assistant Professional at Wildwood Assistant Professional at Valley Brook Assistant Professional/Caddie Master at Sewickley Heights Shop Assistant at Olde Stonewall What’s your favorite part of working with your members, students, or clients? Building relations with my players that last longer than the four years they are with me at CMU. What advice would you give to aspiring PGA Professionals entering the industry today? Find what you love to do and make it your job. Take chances when you’re young and listen to some of our seasoned professionals when they give you advice.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT TRI-STATE
DAN RODGERS, PGA
What legacy do you hope to leave as a PGA Professional? To leave it better than I found it. The game has been great to me and has provided me with a career I could have never dreamed of. I hope that I can encourage the next generation to seek employment in the golf industry. Can you provide/list any special awards, achievements, or recognitions you’re particularly proud of? 2023 D3 Men’s National Champions 2024 D3 Women’s National Champions 2020 WGCA D3 National Coach of the Year 2023 GCAA D3 Men’s National Coach of the Year 2024 WGCA D3 Women’s National Coach of the Year 2024 TSPGA Player Development Award winner Numerous GCAA/WGCA Regional Coach of the Year for Men’s and Women’s T-33rd at the 2023 PGA Professional Championship in New Mexico I’m the D3 representative on the Palmer Cup committee, selecting the players and coaches who will play in the event
TRI-STATE
We thank Dan Rodgers for his time, dedication, and love for the PGA of America and the Tri-State Section.
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