Chris Clemens opened Indianapolis Golf Academy at Winding River Golf Course in 2013. Winding River is a municipal facility that he and his team has managed since opening his academy. Indianapolis Golf Academy welcomes many beginners and juniors, and the facility offers affordable greens fees and expansive programming that provide opportunities for all golfers to develop their skills and increase their enjoyment in the game. Clemens believes in the power of removing the traditional barriers to entry – cost, clubs, coaching and playing opportunities.
Chris Clemens started playing the game of golf with a cut down 7-iron, a grip made of electrical tape and a love for the game that his parents began to foster when Chris was just 18 months old.
“I was lucky enough to grow up across the street from Pleasant Run Golf Course, an Indianapolis City municipal facility,” he recalls. “I developed an admiration for PGA of America Head Golf Professional, Denny Ford, and his family. And by second grade, I knew I wanted to be a PGA Professional.”
Clemens says he was probably only given a cart kid job at Pleasant Run because he was caught sneaking on the course too many times. Persistence often pays off!
“As a junior member at The Legends Golf Club in Franklin, Indiana, I received positive influence from PGA of America Golf Professional Ted Bishop and his family,” he says. “Through junior golf, college and to the present day, PGA Professionals have guided me, gone out of their way to help me and continue to inspire me with their actions. I have never been more nervous as the few times I accepted one of our Indiana PGA Section awards in front of those I admire the most.”
Clemens earned the 2023 Indiana PGA Section Youth Player Development Award and the 2025 Section Player Development Award. He recently earned his first Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) Growth of the Game Teaching Professional Award in our class of 2025.
“Our golf academy has been successful due in large part to the support from two excellent PGA Professionals, Doug Rushton and Bill Krohne,” Clemens explains. “With their help, I have been able to use the facilities year round. We have four golf simulators and have used technology such as FlightScope, Foresight and K-Vest, and have implemented fitness training for years. Some popular programs we run include PGA HOPE, PGA Jr. League, PGA Family Golf and First Tee.”
After winning the Indiana PGA Jr. League Section Championship in 2023 and 2024, the Indianapolis Golf Academy 17U team narrowly missed out on a berth to the PGA Jr. League National Championship after advancing to the regional final match both seasons.
The academy’s 13U All Stars finished runner-up in the Indiana PGA Jr. League Section Championship during those same years. Both 13U and 17U Indianapolis Golf Academy PGA Jr. League All Star Teams narrowly missed winning the 2025 Indiana Section Championship after exciting playoff shootouts.
Clemens and his team implemented PGA HOPE in 2024 and have followed a similar inclusive philosophy when getting their local veterans acclimated to the game of golf.
“It’s been amazing to be involved with the men and women who’ve given so much for us through their military service,” he says. “This program has fit well with our existing programs. In fact, we have created a community of golfers across demographics by enabling the veterans to share time at the course with our junior golfers. We also promote PGA Family Cup to grow the game at a true grass roots level. Families that play together are often involved in our programming. They need equipment, and they play outside of their lessons or PGA Jr. League matches.”
Looking ahead at technology in teaching, Clemens says the accuracy and affordability of personal launch monitors and home simulators are giving families and friends an opportunity to spend engaged time together.
“To no surprise, my students with access to home simulators also improve faster,” Clemens confirms. “Home simulators and golf course simulators will continue to bring more convenience. My only concern will be the inevitable saturation of commercial golf simulation for some markets.”