Meet Andre Lacey: PGA Teaching Professional

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andre Lacey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andre, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I wanted to make more minorities, especially kids, aware of all the beneficial business opportunities golf can provide.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Circa 1996-1997 I was just learning the game of golf while playing middle school basketball. At the time I didn’t know how much raw talent I had for the game of golf. Some thought that I would be a basketball star like Shaq because of my stature. I was 13 years old, 6ft tall, wearing a size 14 shoe. So I had all of the qualities to be a star athlete. Although I loved the game of basketball it just wasn’t my passion. As the eldest grandson to a PGA Legend (Jim Dent), I was rarely told I would grow up to be a Pro Golfer.
Over the years I have fallen in love with the game of golf. I have studied hard so that I can teach proficiently and effectively to my students. I also volunteer my time, knowledge, and resources to those aspiring to become a golf professional. As a PGA professional I help kids and adults with learning the actual game and the fundamentals of golf. I also mentor local youth groups such as the Boys and Girls Club of Augusta, Future Successor, and the 100 Black Men of Augusta. Recently, I started a PGA Hope Program at my facility (Augusta Municipal Golf Course also known as The Patch) to help mentally or physically disabled veterans ease their way back into society. I currently have the only Junior PGA League in the city of Augusta that doesn’t require a membership or an established golf handicap to register. In most cases, aspiring PGA professionals have sponsors, mentors, and are professionally trained by an experienced golfer. Unfortunately for me, I didn’t have sponsors to pay my membership dues and any other costs that come along with trying to become a golf professional. I became a PGA professional on my own merit with hard work and determination. I have paved my own way in the golf industry. In the beginning golf was just therapy for me but as I learned more about the game I became more intrigued.
Despite all of the hurdles I have had to overcome to get to this point, I still say “Every day is a good day” and I remain humbled. I enjoy helping upcoming golfers find a new love or rekindle an old flame for golf. I am making my own path and helping others find their paths along the way.

None of this would be at all possible without the support of my beautiful fiancé, my children, family, and friends. I would also like to thank The City of Augusta, Srixon Golf, Cleveland Golf, Rooster Hawk Photography, Masters City Golf Association, The Patch Golfers, The Warrior Alliance, Paine College, and all of my Andre Frantz Golf clients.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We going to start with a good homecooked meal, stocking up the humidor with cigars for the week, and we will get on the home golf simulator give them a golf lesson. Ill get them a membership at MTAG Fitness Complex to stay on that workout routine or find a new one while in town. Tuesday we will golf, then chill at Oak for “Spades Night” and one of their Pineapple Steak Chicken and Shrimp bowls. Wednesday we will hit the shooting range to get the zeroed in to make sure we on point, then going to the The Crown At SRP Park for some Tomahawk Chops or maybe be have one of their exotic meats. Thursday we doing Verbal Therapy with Brotha Trav at Oak and ordering crab cake appetizer with a surf and turf dinner. Friday we golfing again then firing up the grill for a kick back at home. Saturday we eating eating crab legs delivered by PJ Kitchen Kingz, then going to “Tribecca’s Hookah Lounge”. Sunday we can get on the lake and do some fishing or maybe just chilling watching the final round of whatever PGA tournament on TV and just relaxing

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I just want to thank everyone that supports Andre Frantz Golf events as well as supports Andre Lacey the golfer. The City of Augusta, The Patch, Jo Shawkat of Rooster Hawk Photography, all the entrepreneurs that I brainstorm with daily, and most importantly my family!

Instagram: @andre_frantz_golf_llc

Facebook: facebook.com/andrefrantzgolf

Image Credits
Joseph Shawkat of Rooster Hawk Photography