PGA Certified Professional
Head Golf Professional

The First Tee Level 3 Coach

ryoung@kempersports.com
(253) 363-3861

Ryan grew up in Mill Creek, WA beginning his golf career at age ten. He had a successful collegiate career playing golf for Whitworth University. There he won multiple events, including his conference championship in 2010 which earned him the NWC Player of the Year title and a berth to the NCAA National Championship. He turned pro in 2012 and is now one of the top players in the PNW PGA Section.

Voted by his peers, Ryan has been recognized as Golf Digest Best Teachers in Washington State in 2017-18, 2022-23, and 2024-25. GOLF Magazine put Ryan on the Teachers to Watch list for 2024-25. Western WA Chapter PGA named him the 2023 Teacher of the year.

He has received PNW PGA Section Awards for Player Development Award (2016, 2020, 2023) and Youth Player Development (2018); he has also won the Western WA PGA Chapter Patriot Award (2022 and 2023) and the Assistant Golf Professional of the Year (2015).  Ryan is also a PGA Certified Professional in Teaching & Coaching and a Level 3 Coach for The First Tee.

KemperSports Management named Ryan the 2018 Golf Professional of the Year. This award recognizes all his efforts establishing the Chambers Bay Academy and its proven model of growing the game. Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) named Ryan a Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional in 2020-22.

While not playing or teaching golf, Ryan enjoys playing the guitar, snowboarding, wake surfing, and investing in real estate. You can follow Ryan Young Golf (@RyanYoungGolf) on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

PGA Academy Instructor

The First Tee Level 1 Coach

mmontecucco@kempersports.com
(253) 651-0592

Matt Montecucco brings a lifelong passion for golf and a commitment to helping players of all levels grow their game. Raised in Spokane, WA, in a family of bowlers, Matt discovered golf at age 10 when his grandfather took him to the driving range. That first swing sparked a love for the game that led him to pursue a degree in Professional Golf Management at the University of Idaho. Now, as a PGA of America member and an award-winning coach, Matt is dedicated to making the game accessible, enjoyable, and meaningful for every student.

“My grandfather’s belief in me when I wasn’t excelling at soccer made all the difference. He saw something in my golf swing, and that moment changed everything for me. I became a teacher to share that same sense of joy and accomplishment with others.”

Matt’s coaching philosophy centers on building relationships with his students and creating personalized game plans that fit their unique strengths and abilities. He believes golf doesn’t need to be complicated. “It’s not about copying what you see on TV. Golf is about finding what works for you. Together, we’ll break the game down, focus on the essentials, and set goals that are realistic and fun.”

With a focus on simplicity and technique, Matt incorporates video analysis, technology, and training tools to help students visualize, feel, and understand every part of their game. He believes in empowering his students to not only hit the ball better but also to understand why it works, giving them the confidence to diagnose and adjust their own swings.

Notable Achievements:

• 2024 National #GameChanger Coach Award
• 2024 Top 25 Largest Programs in the Nation Award
• 2022 Western Washington Chapter Youth Player Development Award

As the head of Chambers Bay’s Junior Program, Matt has helped grow one of the largest and most successful PGA Jr. League programs in the nation. His passion for working with young athletes and adaptive golfers, including blind and visually impaired students, has earned him recognition for innovation in coaching.

When Matt’s not on the course, you can find him sharing his love for the game online. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@MonteInstruction)

PGA Academy Instructor

cballard@kempersports.com
(707) 889-2533

Christian grew up in Sonoma, CA where he played varsity golf and baseball in high school. From there, he attended New Mexico State University for the PGA Golf Management program where he earned his Bachelors’ degree and PGA membership. Christian also spent time working as a club fitter for Titleist where he gained lots of experience in club fitting and launch monitor technology. Christian is a very active player in the Pacific Northwest Section with Pro-Am wins and top 25 finishes in Pacific Northwest Majors in 2022. 

“I strongly believe that the path to lower scores comes from learning proper course management and mental strength. While mechanical changes are sometimes needed, every golfer can greatly improve simply by making better decisions and having a solid mental game.”

When not teaching or playing golf, Christian enjoys playing the guitar, piano, wakeboarding, and working on cars. You can follow Christian on Instagram, @christianballardgolf.

Achievements include:

• 2 Western Washington Chapter Pro-Member wins
• 3-time Western Washington North/South Cup Qualifier
• 2023 & 2024 PGA Match Play semifinalist

Associate Academy Instructor
cdent@kempersports.com
(425) 435-7480

Christopher is a Tacoma native who has over 20 years of coaching experience in football, basketball, and golf.

“The game of golf is truly a gift and a blessing! I intend to share that gift with everyone whom I come in contact with.  It’s all about the 3 F’s… Faith, Family, and FORE!!!”

Christopher teaches all levels of golf from junior beginner to the competitive elite. He specializes in on-course training, tournament prep, and mental game instruction. “No matter what your ‘SMART’ goals for your game are, my job is to provide you with the tools and a clear path to achieving them.”

Chris’s Achievements include:

• 10 years at Chambers Bay (4 years teaching at the Academy)
• Caddie experience includes:
  • 4 USGA Championships – Pac Coast Am, U.S. Open Qualifier/ Senior Qualifier, LPGA KPMG Championship
  • 2023 U.S. Open Qualifier – Medalist
• PGA Junior League Coach – 2nd and 5th place finishes at Regionals

PGA First Assistant Golf Professional

bbussinger@kempersports.com

Brian is a Nebraska native who moved to Tacoma in 2019.  He grew a passion for the game while playing for fun with friends and family at his home course back in Nebraska.  Brian got his first job in the golf industry in 2002 at Quarry Oaks in Ashland, Nebraska.  While working at Quarry Oaks he got interested in learning about the PGA of America and decided to pursue a career in the golf industry.

Brian was elected into the PGA of America as a Class A member in 2010.  He has been helping golfers of all levels with their swing for the past 14 years and believes the more fun you make your practice session the easier it is to learn.  Brian has a passion of introducing the game of golf to new players and showing experienced golfers how much fun this frustrating game can be.  He truly believes that every golfer has their own unique swing style and by getting back to the basics anyone can improve their game and continue to thrive and get better with each practice.

PGA Academy Instructor

The game’s top instructors picked Brian Mogg to be one of Golf Digest 50 Best Teachers in America in 2011 – 2015.

A native of Tacoma, Washington, Mogg began his golf career at the age of twelve. He moved to Florida in 1985 after finding success in his college years as a Buckeye at Ohio State University. He graduated with All-American Honors and won the Ohio Amateur Championship before making his way to the professional tour. He spent 10 years playing professional golf and three years on the PGA Tour with a top finish of 2nd at the 1988 Sanderson Farms Classic, took 3rd in the 2001 Callaway Pebble Beach Invitational and participated in the 1995 US Open. He also had 6 top 25 finishes on the Web.Com Tour as well as top 10 finishes in 11 countries while competing internationally.

Since the 1990’s Brian Mogg has been a dominant force in the world of golf instruction. His students have won over 20 professional tour events along with a USGA Championship, Lion Kim, winner of the 2010 U.S. Public Links. In 2009, Mogg coached Y.E. Yang to victory in the PGA Championship as well as the Honda Classic.

He currently resides in Orlando, Florida with his wife and 4 children.