First Tee – Coachella Valley Magazine
•
Winter 2022
•
5
L
ongtime PGA Professional
Mike McFaul took over
as Competitive Activities
Coordinator for the First Tee –
Coachella Valley this past August
and has been going full-steam
ahead ever since. We recently
caught up with the avid junior golf
supporter to learn more about his
new role with the organization…
u u u
How has your career led you to
this new position? I began my
PGA of America career in 1986 at
The Lakes Country Club in Palm
Desert and have worked since
then at some very fine Clubs in
Southern California. After years of
taking care of the adults, the last
few years have diverted me more
to the junior side of the game. My
interest is in producing tourna-
ments, so this position was a no-
brainer for me.
u u u
What does your job entail?
While I do coach in our junior
classes, I am mostly tasked with
attracting, arranging and produc-
ing golf events to get the kids on
the course competing. These in-
clude U.S. Kids Golf Coachella Val-
ley events, where players from all
over the country compete; Opera-
tion 36 Golf classes, designed to
get kids playing the course imme-
diately; PGA Junior League, an ex-
cellent platform for competing in a
friendly atmosphere; First Tee –
Coachella Valley events for kids
and parents to make it a family af-
fair; and Drive, Chip & Putt, a super
fun national event with a possible
date at The Masters!
u u u
What would you like parents
and their kids to know about these
events/programs? That golf has
the capability to teach us every life
skill we need to grow as a person
and a family … and you don't have
to excel in it for that to happen.
u u u
Why is it important for kids to
participate in competitive events?
Competing is not only fun and a
great way to make friends, but also
enables kids to learn more quickly
at a higher level. Life is all about
competing for things, then perse-
vering through those ups and
downs of winning and losing.
u u u
Your No. 1 goal as Competitive
Activities Coordinator? To get every
kid in the Valley on the course.
<< Q&A WITH MIKE McFAUL
Game
on!
In his new position,
Mike McFaul helps
run events for kids
to compete in
