Andy Walker is a 36-year old golfer based in Phoenix, Arizona who has been hooked since he was “still in diapers.” He followed is dad to tournaments and says he’s “always loved the game.” Walker played on a collegiate level at the prestigious Pepperdine University where their team won the 1997 NCAA Championship, meanwhile earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Management.
He was trained by golf pros Jeff Dunovant from 1990-2004, then William Dixon from 2005 to present. He grew up as a member of the Desert Mashie Golf Club, and currently member of the Pepperdine University Athletic Hall of Fame. Today he makes a living as the Head Golf Coach at South Mountain Community College, the Sr. Instructor at the Golf Channel Academy @ Legacy, and the owner of U.S. Golf Combines (www.usgolfcombines.com) and he never seems to take a break.
“I’m either teaching, coaching, or traveling on tour, now as an instructor/coach instead of playing at least twenty-five days a month,” says Walker.
Walker has plenty to brag about. “In my 30+ year career, I’ve won over 40 junior events, 15 amateur titles, and 28 professional events,” he says. Last February, he played in the Northern Trust Open at Riviera CC on the PGA tour. The year prior, he was a cast member on Big Break Ireland, a reality television series that features golfers vying for $80,000 and two Tour exemptions. Recently, Walker’s South Mountain Community College team won the 2015 NJCAA National Championship shooting 30 under par.
This past June, Andy was awarded the Dave Williams National Coach of the Year Award, Presented by Golf Pride. This feat was accomplished in the midst of Walker starting a new company (U.S. Golf Combines) that helps high school players get their best and most trusted information into the hands of college coaches and coaching players on the PGA Tour—most notably Jason Gore.
Walker doesn’t play much anymore, but still keeps his game sharp. “I feel it’s important to be able to practice what I preach, if I’m coaching PGA Tour players and collegiate All-Americans then I need to be able to still play and hit the golf shots I did when I played on tour”. “You never want to get out of touch with the playing aspect of this game, it’s what sets me apart from most instructors and it’s the best way to keep learning myself”.
When he’s not golfing (albeit a rarity), Walker is a family man. He spends quality time with his son-7 year old son AJ-by bringing him to the course. He also enjoys other games and sporting events like playing basketball and watching his nephew, Lenny, play baseball.
At this point in his career, Walker has only one thing on his mind as he coaches his players “I love being able to share my experiences in this game at its highest level with players who aspire or are already at that level. My passion for the competitive side of this game has never waned, now I get to share in the success of others and that is what this game—and life—is all about”.
