Meet the Instructor: Fred Arcaina
With decades of experience and a passion for people, Fred Arcaina brings skill, encouragement and a welcoming spirit to the San Vicente golf community.
For Fred Arcaina, golf has been a lifelong passion. He picked up a club at just 4 years old, following in the footsteps of his father, who was a golf instructor. Today, Arcaina shares that passion with golfers at San Vicente Resort as the First Assistant Golf Professional and Tournament Director.
Arcaina’s career in golf instruction began long before his time at San Vicente Resort. During his 22 years in the Navy, he taught golf off and on to fellow shipmates. After retiring from the Navy, he continued pursuing his love of the game and has spent the past 20 years working as a golf instructor with the San Diego Country Estates Association.
What Arcaina enjoys most about teaching is the opportunity to interact with people and help them enjoy the game.
“I like to interact with people and guests,” Arcaina said. “I like to teach them how to golf and hear their feedback about their satisfaction and how they enjoy golf.”
For Arcaina, one of the most rewarding parts of instruction is watching a golfer’s frustration turn into confidence.
“I like to see golfers go from frustration to a happy face,” he said. “It’s rewarding to see what I have instructed and how it settled into their mind and muscle memory and seeing how well they played.”
Arcaina has worked with golfers of all ages and skill levels, from beginners picking up a club for the first time to more advanced players looking to improve their game. While he previously spent more time teaching junior golfers, his instruction today is primarily focused on adults, although he still occasionally works with younger golfers.
His friendly and social personality is a natural fit for the golf shop and the San Diego Country Estates community. Arcaina enjoys working alongside the SDCEA staff and golf shop team and especially appreciates the customers who stop by.
“I like to make golfers feel at home,” he said.
He often hears from golfers who enjoy not only the beautiful course but also the welcoming atmosphere at the shop and the opportunity to visit with the staff.
Although Arcaina spends much of his time helping others improve their games, he still makes time for his own. He typically plays golf two to three times a week.
And when it comes to his favorite club, there is one clear winner: his putter.
“It saves my game,” Arcaina said. “I could be 10 feet away from the hole and my mind says I am going to do it, and I usually do.”
After decades of playing and teaching, Arcaina continues to find joy in helping golfers improve their skills, gain confidence and, most importantly, enjoy the game. For him, golf is about more than the scorecard—it’s about the people, the friendships and the satisfaction of seeing a golfer walk away with a smile.
Photo by Tiffany Pressler
