The Golf Academy

Hunter Brown

PGA, Director of Instruction

Hunter has been a PGA Professional since 2011 after he graduated from Campbell University with a bachelor’s degree in business and his Class A PGA license. In the past 11 years, he has taught at several top private clubs in the country. Most recently, he was the Lead Teaching Professional, at Biltmore Forest Country Club in Asheville, NC. Hunter also worked as a PGA Tour Player Support and Representative for TrackMan Golf. Before TrackMan, he was a golf professional at The Honors Course in Chattanooga, TN.

Hunter has attended numerous teaching and coaching educational events while also observing and training under some of the best minds in golf biomechanics such as: Dr. Sasho MacKenzie, Dr. Phil Cheatham, Dr. Mike Duffy, and Dr. Rob Neal. He has observed and trained under a myriad of Top 100 instructors like: Sean Foley, Chris Como, Don Sargent, Andrew Rice, and many others.

Hunter’s focus as Director of Instruction at Boar’s Head Resort is to provide an enjoyable and productive environment for individual coaching and group programs. Juniors, women, beginners, elite players, and mid to high handicappers, Hunter has a broad experience of creating long term success in improving a player’s game.

TrackMan Level 2 Certified | Titleist Fitting Certified | Mizuno Fitting Certified | Titleist Ambassador | Force and Motions Golf Biomechanics Certified | Penn State University Golf Biomechanics Certified | Scott Cowx Certified Instructor

Rob Failes

PGA, Player Development Leader

Rob comes to the Boar’s Head Resort from Carmel Country Club in Charlotte, NC, where for four years he was Lead Instructor for the Golf Academy. Rob holds a bachelor’s of science degree from Clemson University’s PGA Golf Management Program and is a certified PGA Professional (A6) Instructor. Additionally, Rob has served as a staff coach for Game Like Training Golf - a company dedicated to educating golfers and coaches on the science of learning and skill acquisition.

Working closely with Hunter Brown, Director of Instruction, Rob coaches private and group sessions full-time for the Golf Academy while planning and implementing programs including: Operation 36 Junior & Women's programs, golf classes for the University of Virginia, PGA junior league, member clinic series, junior golf camps and walk-up/supervised practice sessions.

Best in State Instructor – Golf Digest | Golf Biomechanics Level 2 Certified – Dr. Young-Hoo Kwon | Scott Cowx Certified Instructor | Dr. Mark Bull Certification | Tyler Ferrell Certified Instructor | Staff Coach – Game Like Training

Simon Peters

PGA & PGA of SA, Head Golf Professional

Having been in the golf industry for over 16 years, Simon has worked for and with a variety of golf professionals and instructors learning different teaching methods for the game. Starting under South African PGA Master Professional Phil Simmons, from whom he learnt all aspects of the game – both management and instructing players of all skill levels for 4 years.

Simon then spent 6 months on a cruise ship based out of Port Canaveral in Florida, teaching golf and taking cruisers to play, learn, and enjoy in the Caribbean. Following that he spent 2 years as the Head Professional at Sun City Resort in South Africa, home to the Gary Player Country Club as well as the Lost City Golf Course. Simon saw and instructed a wide variety of golfers who came to the resort from all parts of the world.

His next appointment was as Assistant Golf Professional at Birdwood in 2014 and since then Simon has attended coaching seminars, the PGA Show, and continued to grow his knowledge of the golf swing. He has also been involved in the club fitting service provided at Birdwood which can now boast 4 different club manufacturer’s fitting systems.

Simon likes to use all of the knowledge he has gained across many students and countries to help make the golf game easier and more fun for all of his students.

Melissa Trowbridge

LPGA Professional Class A, Assistant Professional

Melissa brings years of teaching and coaching experience to Birdwood. She is a certified LPGA Class A Professional with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and is a 20 year expert instructor at the Boar’s Head Golf Academy.  Her individualized, student-centered instruction in a positive learning environment will help you with any aspect of your golf game.

Melissa emphasizes communication with her students on their goals along with developing a game plan for improvement.  By focusing on techniques and fostering confidence this will allow the transfer of new knowledge to the golf course -- that’s where the fun is!

Ping Brand Ambassador

Brandon Gochenour

PGA Associate, Assistant Golf Professional

Brandon graduated in May 2017 from Potomac State College where he played two years of college baseball. His last year there, he was awarded JUCO Tournament Pitcher of the Year. Brandon obtained his Associates Degree in Criminal Justice and transferred to Coastal Carolina to continue his education. There at CCU, he acquired his love and passion for the game of golf. Due to a career ending injury in baseball, Brandon then began his chase in professional golf down in Florida and the Carolina’s. 

Brandon is currently in the PGA and in the process of obtaining his Class A certification. Before coming to Birdwood, he was the 1st Assistant Golf Professional in Williamsburg, VA at Colonial Heritage and the Head Professional at Meadows Farms in Fredericksburg, VA. In his spare time -- when he is not working or teaching -- he is constantly trying to perfect his own golf game or spending time with his family and his Siberian husky, Jax.