Mike Perez Assistant Golf Professional/ Assistant Gofl Course Manager Renwood Golf Club Round Lake Beach, IL

Born in Havana, Cuba, I came to the United States after serving time as a political prisoner for being a member of the Knights of Columbus, which was active in the movement against Castro's communist regime.

I came to Miami as a political refugee, where I worked in the restaurant business until I relocated to Chicago. I married an American girl from Chicago, became a citizen and worked for Zenith Electronics Corporation. At Zenith, I started in the hourly ranks and moved through different supervisory positions, eventually becoming Plant Operations Manager until I retired.

Beginning in the later 1970's through the 1990's I played many Chicago events and Illinois/Wisconsin events - as a member of NIMAGA (Northern Illinois Men's Amateur Golf Association).

In 1995 I had hopes of becoming a golf professional, since I was a very good golfer and I loved teaching others. As a result, my wife encouraged me to apply to the USGTF, and, to cap off a perfect year, I graduated from the USGTF with my teacher's certification. During this time, I took a position with the Renwood Golf Club in Round Lake Beach, Illinois, becoming a full-time assistant golf professional shortly after that. I am now the golf course Assistant Manager and Assistant Golf Professional. In 1995, I completed my USGTF Master Teaching Level IV requirements.

As a teaching professional, I conduct all the junior golf camps for the Round Lake Area Park District. These clinics, for juniors from the age 8-18 years, are held four times per week from May through September each year. In addition, each year I enjoy conducting clinics (individual short lessons for golfers who attend) at the Illinois PGA Golf Show, participating in the Illinois Cadillac Series golf clinics, etc.

Presently, I enjoy playing as many Illinois events and USGTF events as time permits. Eventually, my entire focus will be on the USGTF.

Although I enjoy teaching people of all ages and abilities, teaching children is especially close to my heart. I believe in teaching the individual person rather than any particular method or technique. I emphasize the importance of fundamentals with a big emphasis on having fun and simply enjoying the game.

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