Billy Wieczorek,PGA of America Head Professional,Sunland Village Golf Club,Mesa, Arizona
At Sunland Village Golf Club in Mesa, Arizona, PGA of America Head Professional Billy Wieczorek shows that player engagement doesn’t always require anything too flashy – just consistency and care.
After stepping away from the golf industry for several years, Wieczorek re-elected to PGA of America Membership in 2024 and landed at Sunland Village, a semi-private executive course in the heart of a tight-knit retirement community.
“I missed it,” Wieczorek says. “I missed being around the golf industry, collaborating with people, attending to members and especially the teaching side.”
When he arrived, the club already hosted a Saturday morning clinic, but the PGA of America Professional running it retired – giving Wieczorek (pictured) an opportunity to make it his own.
“I’ve taught and hosted clinics in the past covering all aspects of the game. But after they were over, that was it,” he explains. “I thought, why don’t I send a review of what we just talked about? That way they’ve got something to keep and look back on. The idea caught on.
“People liked it, and the next thing you know we had more students every week.”
Now that he’s set the bar, Wieczorek’s students are even starting to clamor for written content on a regular basis.
“I have received a lot of positive feedback,” he says. “So much so that if I had a busy week and couldn’t email the review, the following week students are asking for it at the start of the next clinic.”
What began with just three attendees has grown into two full sessions each Saturday, averaging 10 students per group. The mix includes both members and public golfers, with roughly 75 percent from outside the club.
“Sunland Village is a cool little spot,” Wieczorek says. “It’s very vibrant. The leagues for men and ladies play twice a week, and people — mostly retirees — really like their golf here.”
That grassroots consistency has turned clinic regulars into loyal students and, in turn, boosted play at the facility.
“Out of every clinic, maybe three will come back regularly to play,” he notes. “And I’ve picked up some regulars for private lessons, too.”
Wieczorek’s approach may be simple, but it reflects the fundamentals of growing the game – connection, communication and steady commitment.
“You just try to keep people engaged,” he says. “Make it comfortable, make it fun and they’ll keep coming back.”
