I am living my dream, owning and running my own Golf Academy. Teaching golf is my passion.

Born and raised in Southern California, I fell in love with golf in my late teens and have always been drawn to the teaching part of the business. I have held many positions, including Head Pro at several courses, Director of Golf in Costa Mesa Golf & Country Club in California, and owner of a little golf shop in Michigan City, Indiana. Teaching golf at Sand Creek Country Club in Indiana was the start of my dream to own my own facility.

I have coached on many levels from Division I high school on up to the College of the Desert Women's team in California’s Palm Springs area. My teams earned 3 State Championships and a 2nd out of the five years that I coached. Being voted Coach of the Year in ‘95, ‘96, and ‘97 in my league was great, but receiving the 1999 Women's Golf Coach of the Year Award for California (Jr. Colleges) was a highlight of my teaching career.

I have been an instructor with the Craft Zavichais Golf School the past decade or so. The owner, Penny Zavichais, is the co-founder of the L.P.G.A. She has been a great inspiration to me; she has taught me much about how to teach golf as well as how to live life. To be involved with such an award-winning staff and instructors that have a love for golf and their students is a priceless experience of a lifetime. Thank you to Penny and her staff for allowing me to be a part of the best I have ever seen in the teaching profession.

There are many reasons for putting the Lynn Crist Golf Academy in southwest Michigan. My clients, who travel from all over, find this location easy for them to get to. In addition, they get to enjoy the beauty of Lake Michigan and the surrounding area. Midwest people have a love for the game of golf. I have a love for the people here. They have been very good to me for the past 25 years. I have taught in this area since 1981. I would spend my summers teaching in the Midwest and then go back to California every winter to coach and travel with the Craft Zavichais Golf School.

My staff and I will do our best to give you the best experience possible. This crazy game of golf can challenge us in every way! I and my staff want to provide a positive, non-threatening, and instructive environment for you. Please consider taking a private lesson from one of us, or enjoy the Free Lessons we offer. Lynn Crist Golf Academy is the place to come to get good, objective information about anything from equipment to course management.

Please enjoy our full service pro shop, club repair, and custom club fitting. Plus, don't forget the Golf Simulator is open year round for your golfing enjoyment!

My motto is "Keep it on the short grass." I hope to see you here real soon!

I am proud that I won the 1993 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship and also participated in the 1993 U.S. Women’s Open. I played collegiate golf at the University of Central Florida and had three top-five finishes in my career.

At the age of 13, I started playing golf and loved it. Mike Bender, my teaching professional, influenced my career the most. With his guidance, I qualified for the Tour on my fifth attempt. I married Michael Ross on Aug. 10, 2002 and gave birth to my son Ethan Jacob on Nov. 8, 2002.

In 2003, best finish was a tie for 30th at the Safeway Classic, where she carded a season-low 68 during the second round.

In 2002, played a limited schedule due to the birth of her first child, Ethan Jacob, on Nov. 8.

In 2001, best finish was a tie for 27th at the Jamie Farr Kroger Classic Presented by ALLTEL; returned to the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament, where she tied for seventh to earn exempt status for the 2002 season.

In 2000, best finish was a tie for 24th at the Oldsmobile Classic; returned to the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament, where she tied for 24th to earn non-exempt status for the 2001 season.

In 1999, posted a career-best finish with a tie for 15th at the Michelob Light Classic; carded a career-low 66 during the first round of the Philips Invitational Honoring Harvey Penick; returned to the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament, where she tied for 40th to earn non-exempt status for the 2000 season.

In 1999, posted a career-best finish with a tie for 15th at the Michelob Light Classic; carded a career-low 66 during the first round of the Philips Invitational Honoring Harvey Penick; returned to the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament, where she tied for 40th to earn non-exempt status for the 2000 season.

In 1998, recorded four top-10 finishes on the Futures Tour; qualified for the LPGA Tour by tying for 24th at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament to earn non-exempt status for the 1999 season.

In 1997, won the SunTrust Futures Classic on the Futures Tour.

Teaching golf for the past 17 years has allowed me to share my passion and love of the game with many other golf enthusiasts. Born and raised in South Bend, Indiana, I began golfing at a very early age, playing with my father. As a caddie at the South Bend Country Club, I had the opportunity to learn golf etiquette and more importantly, observe the golf swings of members playing at various levels of the game. I started taking lessons from a local club professional and soon realized the dedication and practice time that was necessary to become a top flight player. I was able to raise my game to the next level, and my competitive career began when I began playing in junior tournaments at the local, state, and national levels. My career continued through high school, and I eventually earned a golf scholarship to Michigan State University.

I graduated from Michigan State with a degree in Landscape Architecture, hoping to become a golf professional or a golf course architect. Choosing the latter, I worked under several national golf course designers, gaining work experience and knowledge in all aspects of the golf game. Eventually, I settled in South Bend working for an architectural and land planning firm while continuing to play as much competitive golf as my work responsibilities would allow. The 18 Hole Executive Short Course in Michigan City, IN; the 18 hole addition to an existing 9 hole course at Indian Lake Hills Golf Course in Eau Claire, MI; the 9 hole addition and redesign of the Plymouth Country Club in Plymouth, IN; and the new Bobick’s Driving Range and Teaching Center in Mishawaka, IN are some of the local courses I have designed.

Designing the Bobick’s facility sparked my desire to return to golf. I retired from the consulting business after 30 ears to ursue a second career, concentrating on my interest in golf and teaching others to play and enjoy the game. In 1992, I completed the requirements of the United States Golf Teachers Federation Golf School and became a certified teaching professional. With years of experience as the sole teaching professional and the Director of Golf Operations at Bobick’s, I have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of adults and youngsters with varying levels of golf skills. Instructing and watching many young aspiring students learn the game, play high school golf and earn scholarships to college, a well as having many adults tell me how much their game has improved provides me with great personal satisfaction.

It is with pleasure and excitement that I join the teaching staff at the Lynn Crist Golf Academy and look forward to continuing my career as an instructor, helping others learn, improve, and enjoy the game of golf. I teach with the philosophy that was taught to me as a youngster. That being: “The game of golf will never be perfected by anyone - only shot-making and consistency can improve.” Therefore, I always remember and remind students of a quotation from a great instructor, the late Harvey Penick, who said, “Practice does not make perfect. Practice makes permanent.” Thus, of course, it is always important to practice correctly.