MARK MACDONALD GOLF ACADEMY
COACHES
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COACH MARK MACDONALD
Mark MacDonald is a highly respected golf coach, accomplished player, and passionate mentor with a proven track record of helping golfers achieve their full potential. Combining his deep understanding of the game, cutting-edge technology, innovative teaching methods, and a personable approach, Mark has become a trusted guide for players of all skill levels, from juniors to elite professionals.
Mark grew up in Dublin, Ohio, where he competed for Dublin Jerome High School, leading the Celtics to two OHSAA Division I state titles and two runner-up finishes. He continued his golf journey at Miami University, where he played for four seasons and earned distinction as a two-time Cleveland/Srixon Academic All-American. Mark graduated with a degree in Integrated Mathematics and a minor in Decision Sciences, blending his analytical mind with his love for the sport.
After turning professional, Mark competed successfully on various professional tours for two years. His passion for mentoring others led him back to Miami University as an assistant coach. In his first season, he helped guide the team to their first MAC Championship in 19 years, earning a spot in the NCAA Regionals. Under his leadership, players achieved honors such as First Team All-MAC, MAC Freshman of the Year, and All-Midwest Region Team.
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Since transitioning from collegiate coaching, Mark has dedicated himself to developing elite-level junior golfers. He has successfully guided players through the complex college recruiting process, securing opportunities at top programs including Penn State University, University of Kentucky, Xavier University, Santa Clara University, Ohio State University, Purdue University, and Miami University, among others. Mark’s holistic approach ensures his students excel both on the course and in life.
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As the founder of the Mark MacDonald Golf Academy, Mark combines his extensive experience, innovative coaching techniques, and commitment to excellence to provide unparalleled instruction and mentorship.
Since founding the academy, Mark teaches over 2,000 in-person sessions each year and conducts roughly the same number of online lessons, ranging from beginners to competitive collegiate players. Under his guidance, students have collectively earned many tournament victories and dozens of college scholarships. His academy boasts impressive accomplishments, including over five collegiate victories, multiple AJGA wins, the 2022 Ohio Junior Champion, and guiding individuals to OHSAA State Championships in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Additionally, Mark’s students have competed in seven USGA Championships, showcasing the academy’s commitment to developing world-class talent. His proprietary training programs and personalized coaching approach ensure every student’s growth and success.
Throughout his career, Mark has had the privilege of learning from some of the most influential figures in golf, including:
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Jason Carbone, Director of Instruction at Baltusrol
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Josh Manning, Head Golf Professional at TCC at Muirfield Village
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Don Sargent, Director of Instruction at Scioto Country Club
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Joe Mayo, Director of Instruction at TPC Summerlin
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Jeff Smith, PGA Tour Coach, TPC Summerlin
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Jon Sinclair, Jon Sinclair Golf
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Andrew Rice, Top 50 Coach in America
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Dana Dahlquist, PGA Tour Coach
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Chris Como, Director of Instruction at Dallas National - Former PGA Tour Coach to Tiger Woods
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Mike Shannon, PGA Tour Putting Coach
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James Ridyard, Short Game Coach to Francesco Molinari
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Jeff Pierce, Director of Instruction at Olde Stone - Putting Coach to Brooks Koepka
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Martin Chuck, Tour Striker Golf
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Grant Waite, PGA Tour Player, and Coach
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Scott Fawcett, PGA Tour Course Management Coach
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Dr. Morris Pickens, PGA Tour Sports Psychologist
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Dr. Sasho MacKenzie, World Renown Golf Biomechanist
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Dr. Young-Hoo Kwon, World Renown Golf Biomechanist
College Golf Coaches who have impacted Mark:
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Casey Lubahn, Head Men’s Golf Coach at Michigan State
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Zac Zedrick, Head Men’s Golf Coach at Miami University
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Pat Goss, Director of Golf at Northwestern University
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Doug Martin, Head Men’s Golf Coach at University of Cincinnati
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Brad Sparling, Former Assistant Coach at Duke University and The Ohio State University
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Mike Small, Head Men’s Golf Coach at University of Illinois
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Mark lives in Liberty Township, Ohio, with his wife Cassie and kids Noah, Luke, and Rose.
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Contact Mark: mark@markmacdonaldgolf.com
COACH ASHLEY THOMAS
With 15 years of experience in the golf industry, Ashley Thomas is a distinguished Class A PGA Professional and a proud Cincinnati native. Her golf journey began at Oasis Golf Club, followed by a role at Kenwood Country Club, where she discovered her passion for teaching and coaching. She later served as a full-time instructor at Spencer Golf Academy before joining GOLFTEC in 2017. At GOLFTEC, Ashley's exceptional coaching skills earned her the National Coach of the Year award in 2021!
Ashley has been recognized as a Golf Digest Top Teacher in Ohio from 2021-2025 and is an eight-time Southern Ohio PGA Ladies Section Champion. Her competitive spirit was nurtured during her college years at Kent State University and as a three-time individual qualifier for the OHSAA tournament during her high school career.
Known for her ability to teach golfers of all skill levels, Ashley emphasizes simplicity, enjoyment, and effective results in her lessons, making her a highly respected instructor.
Ashley resides in Loveland, OH, with her husband, Mike, who is also a PGA member, and their daughter, Ava.
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Contact Ashley: ashley@markmacdonaldgolf.com
COACH CHRIS SCHERDEN
Chris recently made the exciting move from Wyoming to Cincinnati, Ohio, to further his golf career. Throughout his journey, Chris has had the privilege of working with and learning from some of the best coaches in various sports. A highly decorated multi-sport athlete in his youth, Chris chose to focus on his studies rather than pursue collegiate sports.
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After earning a degree in Business Management from the University of Wyoming, Chris followed his passion for golf instruction. He trained under the renowned Hank Haney, Tiger Woods' former golf instructor, and became an Associate Swing Instructor in 2013.
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Since moving to Cincinnati, Chris has gained valuable experience as a Manager at Miles of Golf, a Coach for the PGA Junior League and PGA Junior Camps, and as the Assistant Golf Professional at TPC River's Bend. Chris is dedicated to helping his students not only improve their golf swing but also cultivate a positive attitude, gratitude, and a constructive outlook in all aspects of life.
Contact Chris: chris@markmacdonaldgolf.com
With his fun and outgoing coaching style, Chris brings a breath of fresh air to golf instruction. He looks forward to helping all his students progress both on and off the golf course!
COACH JD FLETCHER
JD is currently the Head Men’s Golf Coach at Miami University and was the former assistant golf coach at Carnegie Mellon University and director of player development at The Pittsburgh Field Club.
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In his first season at CMU, Fletcher contributed to the development of three PING All-America selections, along with four All-Region and three All-University Athletic Association (UAA) honorees, including the UAA Player of the Year and UAA Rookie of the Year.
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Fletcher has been the Director of Player Development at the renowned Pittsburgh Field Club, one of the region's top courses. His duties include conducting lessons, fittings, and clinics for the membership using launch monitor technology such as Foresight GC Quad and Trackman.
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Prior to being in Pittsburgh, Fletcher also served as a professional caddy at the Muirfield Village Golf Club from 2015 to 2019. His caddying experience also includes working with Patrick Flavin at the Korn Ferry Tour finals event in December 2019 at Orange County National Golf Center in Winter Garden, Florida, where he helped Flavin card a seven-under for the event.
Fletcher played collegiately at Miami University, where he was a four-year member of the men's golf team. He competed in 11 events and one MAC Championship during his collegiate career and was a Top 25 finisher at the 2017 Ohio Amateur.
He continues to play competitively and made the cut at the 2019 West Penn Open with rounds of 71 and 73.
During his time at Miami, Fletcher worked as a Strength and Conditioning Intern for the RedHawks, and completed an internship with Play Golf in College. He graduated from Miami in May 2019 with a bachelor's degree in sports leadership and management, with a minor in coaching.
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Prior to his time at Miami, Fletcher was a three-time Division 1 OHSAA team state champion. His high school accolades include the 2014 Ohio Capital Conference (OCC) Player of the Year, three-time First-Team All-OCC, two-time Second Team All-District, and the Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award Winner.
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Contact JD: jd@markmacdonaldgolf.com
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**JD is not allowed to coach 9th-12th graders due to NCAA rules**
COACH ADAM KRAWSCZYN
Adam Krawsczyn (Kruh-siz-uhn), PGA Associate Pro, is in his 35th year involved with the game of golf. He has worked in industry positions ranging from instruction, cart boy, pro shop staff, restaurant and events manager, and business operations. Golf employment has taken him to public courses in West Virginia, to country clubs in Ohio, and elite private courses such as the Country Club of North Carolina (CCNC) in the Southern Pines area.
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Adam spent his junior golf years earning trophies and titles across Ohio and West Virginia. He was the four-time high school conference Most Valuable Player, earning resolutions from both the Ohio state Senate and Ohio state House of Representatives as the only known, at-the-time, Ohio high school athlete to accomplish the feat in any sport. He finished 11th as an individual in the OHSAA Division II State Championship as a sophomore at the Ohio State University Scarlet Course.
Contact Adam: adam@adamkgolf.com
Adam played college golf at Glenville State University earning WVIAC All-Conference honors and winning multiple collegiate tournaments. After a break from the game,he spent the past several years playing in regional and state amatuer tournaments around Ohio and West Virginia, and won back-to-back club championships at Riverside Golf Club.
2022 marks Adam’s official transition to a golf professional. During the fall of 2022, he instructed the starting lineup of Wahama High School golf team, featuring three freshmen, culminating with a third-place finish at the West Virginia State High School Class A Golf Championship. In addition to teaching at Mark MacDonald Golf Academy, Adam also teaches and does club fitting as the PGA Associate Pro at Riverside Golf Club in Mason, WV.
Adam’s teaching influences include all-time greats such as Butch Harmon, current PGA Tour coach Mark Blackburn, and up-and-coming instruction superstar Shaun Webb.