Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Golf Pros

The MPRB golf program offers adult golf schools and junior golf programs for youth taught by accomplished golf professionals. Please contact our golf instructors directly to schedule private lessons.

		Michael Hinton, Minneapolis First Tee Director, PGA Golf Instructor michael@minneapolisgolfacademy.com 612-423-1304 www.minneapolisgolfacademy.com Michael Hinton is the Director of Golf Instruction for the Minneapolis First Tee and is responsible for developing and leading the instructional programs for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. Entering his 15th year as a PGA Golf Pro, Michael is an in-demand golf coach and owner of the Minneapolis Golf Academy. Michael exclusively uses the V1 Digital Coaching System that allows his students to track their swing online and view improvements from year to year. Michael was honored in 2011 and named Minnesota PGA Junior Golf Leader of the Year. Michael mainly teaches at Columbia Golf Club but is also available for lessons at Gross National and Hiawatha Golf Club.

		Jeff Sorenson, PGA Golf Instructor jeff@minneapolisgolfacademy.com columbiateachingpro@hotmail.com 763-229-6443 www.minneapolisgolfacademy.com Jeff Sorenson is entering his 14th year as a PGA Golf Professional. Jeff is an accomplished player amassing 87 professional victories, five of them Minnesota Majors including three wins in the Minnesota PGA Championship. Jeff has been awarded the Minnesota PGA Player of the Year in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012. In 2010, Jeff finished in 3rd place for the National PGA Player of the Year award. In 2011, Jeff qualified and played in the PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club. Jeff uses video analysis in all of his lessons but focuses more on kinesthetic or feel approach to help students identify and grasp changes needed in their game. Jeff mainly teaches at Columbia Golf Club but is also available for lessons at Gross National and Hiawatha Golf Club.

		Erik Toftner, PGA Golf Instructor erik@minneapolisgolfacademy.com etgolfpro@msn.com 612-250-1309 www.minneapolisgolfacademy.com Erik Toftner is entering his 17th year as a PGA Golf Professional. Erik attended Scottsdale Community College on a golf scholarship and worked at several golf schools in Arizona before becoming a PGA certified instructor. Erik started his professional teaching career at Hillcrest and Mendakota Country Club prior to joining the professional golf staff at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. Erik is a well known leader in the junior golf community giving his personal attention to students identifying what they need to bring their game to the next level. Erik uses video analysis in all his lessons and teaches year round accepting appointments from all levels of golfers including beginners and advanced players. When he is not on the lesson tee, he continues to play competitive golf in the Minnesota PGA section and has won numerous section events. Erik mainly teaches at Hiawatha Golf Club but is also available at Gross National and Columbia Golf Club.

		Nathan Gale, PGA Golf Instructor nathan@minneapolisgolfacademy.com 651-402-2958 www.minneapolisgolfacademy.com Nathan Gale is starting his 1st year with the Minneapolis Professional Golf Staff and we’re thrilled to have him on board. Nathan attended Ferris State University’s Professional Golf Management Program. Nathan previously worked at Trump International Golf Club, Madden’s Resort, and Northland Country Club. Nathan believes each golf swing is unique and uses video analysis in all his group and private lessons. Video taping each lesson allows students to see and understand their golf swing and shows the progressive improvement the student is achieving over time. Nathan focuses on the cause and effect aspects of the golf swing and uses a short game test that identifies areas of strength and weakness in each golf swing. Nathan mainly teaches at Hiawatha Golf Club but is also available for instruction at Columbia and Gross National Golf Club.