From Tee to Team: Ramona Golf Pro Shares Passion with the Next Generation
Golf isn't just a job for PGA Professional Michael Gainey; it's a family affair. By day, he is a Southern California Career Consultant for the PGA of America. But off the clock, you can find him walking along the fairways with his own kids, sharing tips, encouragement, and the same love for the sport that launched his career.
Gainey started playing golf in 7th grade and played for Ramona High School. He says he got a lot of encouragement from friends and peers to continue his golf journey. Teaching became a natural progression, and he has learned to wear a lot of hats within the sport. He has tried other career paths that brought him back to golf.
Gainey began his golf career at the San Vicente Resort and worked there on and off over the years, starting in 1995 when he was in High School. In 2010, he worked at the SVR as an independent golf instructor and helped run the Jr. Golf programs. "I love the game itself and have enjoyed the business and social interactions at golf," says Gainey.
Today, he works on the business side of golf as a Southern California Career Consultant for the PGA of America and doesn't get out on the course as much as he would like. However, he enjoys golfing at industry-related events and after work meetings.
Gainey and his wife, Krystal, live in SDCE with their three boys — Vincent (11), Owen (9), and Bennett (2). He helps his kids refine their golf swings and sharpen their game. Their youngest is starting to show interest in golf and practices his swing using a plastic golf club. The two older boys have participated in the PGA Jr League program in previous seasons and will be participating again this summer.
Gainey said his kids naturally gravitated to golf because he plays and works in the industry. His approach when teaching the kids to play is just to have fun without pressure. He and his wife do not push their boys into any single sport, but if they show interest in one, they will fully support them.
His advice to young players is, most importantly, to always have fun. Golf is a challenging and endless pursuit of perfection that you will never fully achieve — and that's part of the beauty of it. It's one of the best sports for teaching life lessons and building character. It's an individual sport that helps you overcome adversity. You learn about pressure, respect, integrity, and even about other people, as you spend hours together on the course observing how others handle success and setbacks.
Beyond the personal lessons, golf also offers professional opportunities. It's a sport that brings people together in business. Opportunities arise to play golf with peers and coworkers, leading to deeper camaraderie, networking, and new connections.
Gainey has formed many lasting friendships that began on the golf course. Some of these friends have become mentors, and he communicates with them weekly. Thanks to the network he has built through golf and business, he also gets to travel to new places for work and enjoy experiences he might not have had otherwise.
He is very thankful to live and raise his family in this wonderful community. He appreciates all the amenities the association offers, such as golf, tennis, parks, equestrian, to name a few. “We all live in such a wonderful community and should take advantage of all it has to offer.”
Photos courtesy of Michael Gainey.
Header photo - left to right - Michael Gainey, Owen, 9; Bennett, 2; and Vincent, 11.
