Gone are the days when golf was primarily a sport for retirees
CHINO HILLS, Calif. — The world of golf has changed. Just ask Vinnie Bertagna, PGA member, instructor, brand initiator, and youth development leader. Gone are the days when golf was primarily a sport for retirees. The pandemic 鈥� and certainly even before we had ever heard of COVID-19- created space for a leisure pursuit that was outdoors, socially distanced, and was able to help find a peaceful setting to reset.聽
Vinnie went to Ayala High School and attended Cal Poly Pomona, graduating in 2010 with a communications degree in public relations. He interned at the Orange County Business Journal, however, the nine to five setting was not for him. As his interest and enjoyment in the sport peaked, he attended golf college for the next year and a half and through different teaching and management roles, moved back to Chino Hills. He worked hard for roughly 5 years, investing in his career and becoming a PGA member in 2017.聽聽
Vinnie is currently a golf coach at Los Serranos Country Club in Chino Hills.聽 He offers private lessons for beginners to high school and collegiate level 鈥� even works with professionals. In 2017, he created Fast Forward Golf Academy,聽 (FFGA) a youth development program that was established with his partners Andrew Kramer, PGA and Justin Itzen. They have had kids start from junior high to now accepting scholarships for Division 1 schools. They will soon be offering adult clinics as well. Their mission is to get more people to play more golf!
In 2020, during the pandemic, he and Andrew Kramer created GOLF 24/7,聽which is a golf lifestyle brand that specializes in relaxed golf wear and accessories.聽Also during this time, Vinnie is proud to say he received an award from So Cal PGA Inland Empire Chapter for 鈥楾eacher of the Year鈥�.聽聽
At the current age of 34, Vinnie is in his prime and has many goals. He wants to continue to grow and work with players.聽 He wants to find ways to help other instructors get better all while making the game fun.聽 His future plans include opening an indoor facility.聽聽
Vinnie loves his busy lifestyle and along with his girlfriend,Timani, dog, Roxie, and cat, Leo, feels his hard work is already paying off.聽聽
鈥淕olf is evolving鈥� there is a much younger and more present interest from every race and background ,鈥� he states.聽 Vinnie Bertagna loves what he does and it is evident in the passion he shares as he speaks about the game he loves. Golf: A game for everyone.聽聽
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