About The Golf Practice
A long-established commitment to excellence
Our mastery approach is both thoughtful and comprehensive, and aims at helping students of all ages and levels experience who have a desire to learn the sport. We take special pride in developing unique training protocols, facility concepts, and learning aids that engage students and accelerate their skill development process.
A passion for golf and learning
We have a desire to contribute to the lives of others either by introducing something new that improves the quality of their lives or by showing people that something thought to be impossible is in fact possible.
Meet the Team
Peter Donahue, PGA
Founder
Peter Donahue
Founder
A brief conversation with Peter, who’s nearing 40 years as a PGA Professional, reflects why he’s won numerous awards and accolades as one of Chicago’s top golf coaches.
“Anything can be learned” is the cornerstone of his coaching philosophy. “Skill development and behavior modification go hand-in-hand. Learning how to practice well, and learning to enjoy your practice, is a fundamental aspect of enjoying the game of golf.”
Chris Oehlerking, PGA
Owner | Director of Instruction
Chris Oehlerking
Owner | Director of Instruction
A PGA Professional for 15 years, Chris is our performance academy’s Director of Instruction. He has been recognized by the Illinois PGA and U.S. Kids Golf as a leader in instruction.
Chris, whose teaching philosophy was molded from the tutelage of Hank Haney and Stan Utley, has worked with players of all abilities — from the professional and college ranks to competitive youth golfers, elite amateurs and recreational players. One of his strengths is being able to develop personalized training plans that facilitate deeper learning and retention for students.
A proud native of Canada, he became a PGA Professional in 2005 after a successful Division I golf career. Chris, whose work has been featured on several media platforms, serves on the Illinois PGA Foundation’s Board of Directors and The First Tee of Greater Chicago’s Young Ambassadors Council.
Alex Prior, PGA
Owner | Director of Operations
Alex Prior
Owner | Director of Operations
Alex started with The Golf Practice in January 2018. As Director of Operations, Alex oversees all facets of the business including strategic planning, facility development, human resources, and financial analysis.
Alex joined The Golf Practice after a successful nine-year career in golf facility management with KemperSports. During that time, Alex was the Head Golf Professional at The Glen Club and served as General Manager at Highland Park Country Club, overseeing all aspects of the facility including banquets, golf course maintenance, driving range, and golf shop operations.
Jantzen Miserak, PGA
Senior Coach | Fitness Expert
Jantzen Miserak
Senior Coach | Fitness Expert
Born and raised in Dallas, Jantzen attended Sam Houston State University and completed its PGA Golf Management Program, which led to an opportunity with The Golf Practice.
Jantzen specializes in the short game and helps players understand the essential fundamentals that so many golfers are missing. Jantzen believes in building one repeatable shot. From there, he works with players on how to make small adjustments to create an arsenal of shots.
Andy Hayes
Lead Coach | Podcast Host
Andy Hayes
Lead Coach | Podcast Host
The best way learning occurs is through self-discovery and experience rather than through processing information. There is plenty of information out there, but it isn’t helpful if you can’t put it into play in your unique swing. The brain works best in big ideas and concepts, and people’s tendency to grasp onto the smallest details often hurts their swing more than it helps.
In his coaching Andy helps the student become more aware of the parts of the swing that are causing them the most problems. He then helps them feel and experience a better, more reliable move, and works to bridge the gap between the two. Andy seeks to empower his students so that over time they can grow in the mastery of their swing, and can learn how to self-coach.
Andy’s hope for his students is that in addition to becoming better golfers, they will become better problem solvers, more resilient, learn to trust themselves, and develop a deep appreciation for golf that goes beyond what score they shoot. Andy’s main golf influences are Tim Gallwey, George Gankas, and Michael Murphy.
Steve Schreck
Certified Coach
Steve Schreck
Certified Coach
Steve grew up in Winnetka and played golf at New Trier High School. A Purdue University graduate, Steve has been a part of TGP’s junior programs since he joined the academy in 2019.
His main coaching influences are George Gankas and Adam Young. The two differ in their approach to the swing, but Steve believes a blend of both styles—internal vs. external mindset, for one—proves to be most successful for his junior and adult students.
Like our entire staff, the impact golf has had on Steve is immeasurable, from the hours spent outside bonding with friends and family to the experiences and characteristics he’s gained and uses in his everyday life.
Peter Leinenweber
Certified Coach
Peter Leinenweber
Certified Coach
Peter grew up in Evanston and played most of his golf at Canal Shores Golf Course. He was on the Loyola Academy squad all four years and continued his career at Loras College in Iowa, where he was a team captain as an upperclassmen.
He served as the program’s assistant coach and head of player development for a year after graduation and now holds a leading role in all of TGP’s junior programs. The impact golf has had on Peter’s life is immeasurable, from the lessons he’s learned to the relationships he’s formed. He hopes to pass down some of those experiences to the next generation and help create a similar impact on his students.
Rob Anderson
Certified Coach | Clubfitter
Rob Anderson
Certified Coach | Clubfitter
Rob joined The Golf Practice in the summer of 2021 after coaching the North Park University men’s team for five seasons. Under his leadership at North Park, the team’s national ranking improved by more than 125 spots, and their scoring average improved by more than 37 strokes per round.
Rob brings a coaching and caddying mentality to his lessons. He loves finding the balance between technical and strategic changes and helping his students know the difference between physical and mental errors. Rob believes in playing free and hitting the easiest shot possible!
Rob loves being outside and believes there is never bad weather but only bad clothing and tries to extend the Chicago golf season as long as possible. He’s very excited to pass along his love for the game to his two young boys. When he’s not playing with his boys, you’ll find him playing with his great friend and former collegiate teammate, Andy Hayes.
Zach Bussman
Manager of Administration
Zach Bussman
Manager of Administration
Zach has a degree in Sports Management and Communications from Minnesota State University. He is a lifelong golfer, and began to love the game after watching Tiger Woods’ famous chip in on the 16th hole of the 2005 Masters.
At The Golf Practice Zach handles all phone and email communications. At The Golf Practice we believe the relationship between student and coach is extremely important. Zach knows our coaches very well, and prides himself in helping students find the best coach for their needs. In the summer he plays a vital role in the administration and running of our summer camp at Canal Shores. If you have any programming, scheduling, lesson needs, or general questions, Zach will be a valuable resource for you.
Dr. Arthur Hoffman
Mindfulness-based Mental Conditioning Coach
Dr. Arthur Hoffman
Mindfulness-based Mental Conditioning Coach
Dr. Hoffman first came to The Golf Practice for lessons. As time passed, Peter and Chris realized what an asset Arthur’s knowledge of the mental side of golf could be to golf students. Arthur joined the team shortly thereafter and began teaching mindfulness to the Mastery 360 program participants.
Mindfulness is a training, or one might say re-training, of the mind. This training awakens and strengthens neural pathways in the brain that are inherent to everyone but are often overlooked in our day-to-day lives, not to mention during the preparation for, and execution of, a golf swing. Mindfulness practice helps us to become more present to our experience and on autopilot less often.
