Ben Bockin

38 years old

Born in Neenah, Wisconsin USA

Ben@golfleadershipacademy.com ​

Ben Bockin co-founded the Golf Leadership Academy with Chad Elledge in 2018. Ben and Chad opened a new, state-of-the-art indoor golf training facility in Novi, Michigan in January 2021.

Ben grew up in Neenah, Wisconsin and developed his passion for golf after smashing his dad’s Nicklaus 3-iron blade over the baseball fence.

As a freshman in high school, he was cut from the golf team and became more determined than ever. He spent every day that summer outworking the competition and made the team as a sophomore. His junior year, he qualified for the State Championship as an individual.

GOLF COACHING

Later in his career, he pursued a childhood dream and played professionally on the E-Golf Tour. He has one professional victory at the Vail International Pro-Am and his best finish on the E-Golf Tour was a 3-day total of 10-under par.

Ben realized he got more satisfaction from coaching others rather than focusing on his own game. He was fascinated with the art of helping others perform at their best.

He is passionate about getting his players to reach their full potential. Ben is loyal, trustworthy and willing to do whatever it takes for his players to succeed.

GAME CHANGERS

Ben graduated from the Professional Golfers Career College and has more than 15 years of coaching experience. He has coached players that have won at the professional, collegiate, high school and junior levels.

Over the years, Ben has been trained by some on the world’s finest golf coaches including: Mark Sweeney, Craig Farnsworth, Mike Adams, Greg Rose, Lynn Marriott, Pia Nilsson, Joe Daniels, Jason Guss, Michael Hebron, Dr. Rick Jensen, Dave Phillips, and Chad Elledge.

He has also presented at the Eastern Michigan Teaching and Coaching Summit.

CREDENTIALS

Ben’s certifications include, but are not limited to:

• The Golfing Machine
• Vision 54
• Growing Leaders Partner and Facilitator
• Dr. Rick Jensen’s Golf Coaches Association
• K-Vest
• SAMPuttLab
• Titleist Performance Institute
• AimPoint Green Reading
• US Kids Golf
• Multiple PGA Teaching and Coaching Summits
• SeeMore Putter Institute

Soti Michalos

23 years old

Born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, USA

Soti@golfleadershipacademy.com ​

Soti Michalos joined the GLA coaching team in May 2021 following a standout collegiate playing career at Albion College.

Soti grew up in Grosse Pointe Farms before moving to Bloomfield Hills. He attended the University of Detroit High School and Academy and played for Hall of Fame head golf coach Paul Diehl. 

He began training with GLA as a 14-year-old and improved his average tournament score from the 100s to the 70s as a U-D Jesuit upperclassman and eventually into the 60s at Albion. 

Soti completed his undergraduate degree in psychology and joining the GLA staff was an easy decision. Outside of traveling and playing competitive golf, Soti enjoys playing the guitar and ultimate frisbee.

Jeff Kavanaugh

Jeff@golfleadershipacademy.com ​

I have been playing golf for over 40 years and have always had a passion for the game. Once I retired from the Westland Police Department in 2016, I focused on developing my passion and skills for the game.

I played with friends, co-workers and had years of frustration, with my golf game and was confused as to why I was not making any progress.

I became a student of GLA 7 years ago, and learned a lot about myself and the game of golf. I started making progress and started to understand why the ball does what it does, and what I had to do to make appropriate adjustments. With my new understanding and ability to make the necessary adjustments, my confidence and skill have improved tremendously.

I am currently the Varsity Golf Coach for the Boy’s and Girls Golf Teams at Walled Lake Western High School Last season I coached the Girls Team to their first winning record in years. Several players earned All-conference and All-district honors, and 1 golfer earned a bid to compete at the D1 state championship.