A golf industry veteran with over 25 years of experience, Dave is the Senior Golf Instructor for the Faldo Golf Institute in Orlando, Florida. Since Faldo Golf Institute was created in 1996, Dolengowski has worked closely with Sir Nick Faldo, and has played an integral role in developing both the golf school curriculum, and the instructor certification programs at Faldo Golf Institute. Dave’s role as a Senior Golf Instructor is to help ensure all students have the opportunity to reach their maximum potential, while also ensuring that the team of Faldo certified instructors maintain their high standards through ongoing training.
A graduate of the acclaimed PGM Program at Ferris State University, Dave earned a degree in Marketing/Professional Golf Management, and in 1999, he was awarded the Ferris State University Bill Strausbaugh Award for Teacher of the Year.
Originally from Adrian, Michigan, Dave is a class ‘A’ PGA Member and a former Junior Chairman for the Northern Michigan PGA Chapter. He is an accomplished player, having competed in many PGA Section Championships and State Opens across the country. Dave has worked closely with the Faldo Golf Institute’s namesake and six-time Major Champion Sir Nick Faldo, along with many elite junior players, college players and professionals, including Se Ri Pak. He has also been a contributor to many industry publications.
Prior to serving as a Senior Instructor at the Faldo Golf Institute, Dave was a Golf Professional at several prestigious clubs, including Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio.
Dolengowski is a sports fanatic and enjoys spending time with his wife and two children.
David Graham
A part of the Faldo Golf Institute since its inception, Graham currently serves as a Certified Instructor at the Faldo Golf Institute (FGI) at Grande Vista. A committed and enthusiastic teacher, Graham works closely with golfers of all skill levels to effectively communicate all dimensions of the game. In fact, Graham has become an integral part of planning instructional programs at the Grande Vista location.
A graduate from Glenville State College, The Golf Academy of the South, with a degree in English/Professional Golf Management, Graham is passionate about teaching. In fact, prior to making the full time commitment to enter the golf industry, Graham served as a school teacher.
Recognized by his colleagues and peers as FGI’s “Director of Social Media,” Graham has played an integral role in expanding FGI’s presence throughout the cyber world, including the FGI Facebook page that offers video tips and instruction from the entire team.
During his time at Grande Vista, he has been involved with growing the FGI Alumni Clubhouse, has served as a primary instructor for Golfweek.com and FoxSports.com instructional videos, and has been published in the U.S Golf School Guide.
Graham is originally from Charleston, West Virginia, and enjoys reading and playing golf.
Justin Blazer
Justin Blazer, originally from Hampton Roads, Virginia, developed an interest in teaching others through the development of his own game. Justin brings to the Faldo instructional team his unique teaching and coaching style he acquired through his college basketball career as a player and a coach. Justin earned a degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies with a focus in Leadership and Management from Virginia Wesleyan College.
Although initially drawn to the individualistic and competitive nature of golf, Justin finds the greatest rewards in teaching by forging one on one relationships with his students and tailoring developmental programs that are both challenging and rewarding.
Justin's true passion lies in working with juniors and the growth of junior golf. He has worked with juniors extensively in the past in many other sports and youth camp programs, and brings that enthusiasm and experience to the Faldo Golf Institute.
Mike Ellis
Originally from Niagara Falls, New York, Ellis joined the Marriott Golf team in 2000 as Senior Golf Instructor at the Faldo Golf Institute at Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Resort. With over 25 years of experience, at prestigious golf clubs throughout the country, Ellis possesses a strong knowledge of the business and a passion for helping others achieve their goals.
A class ‘A’ PGA Member, Ellis earned his bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Professional Golf Management from Ferris State University in Michigan.
In addition to the extensive certification process that is required to become a Faldo instructor, Ellis has also received first hand training from Sir Nick Faldo himself. This training has reinforced Ellis’ ability to translate Sir Nick’s winning techniques into an action plan that works for each individual player type. Ellis’
experience and knowledge of the Faldo methodology has also been instrumental in helping to refine the golf school curriculum at Faldo Golf Institute.
Ellis has worked closely with several accomplished players throughout his career, including Women’s British Open Champion, Yani Tseng. He has been featured on the golf channel and has been a guest speaker on several radio broadcasts; his work has also been published in several industry publications.
This huge sports fan not only enjoys teaching the game, but is an avid player as well.
A.J. Gaul
Gaul began his career with the Faldo Golf Institute in 2003 as an intern at Marriott’s Grande Vista Resort in Orlando, Florida. During his internship, he had the opportunity to observe TOUR players and how they trained; this exposure intrigued Gaul who then earned his certification in the Faldo teaching philosophy in pursuance of training others.
A class ‘A’ PGA Member, Gaul graduated in 2004 with a degree in Marketing and Professional Golf Management from the acclaimed PGM Program at Ferris State University. He then became a full time golf instructor at the Faldo Golf Institute at Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Resort in Palm Desert, California.
From beginners to high profile players, Gaul has displayed a keen ability to translate the Faldo curriculum into a plan that works for each individual skill level and ability. His golf tip articles have been published in various print and online publications.
When not teaching the game of golf, this native of Granville, Ohio, is an Ohio State Football enthusiast and enjoys playing basketball.
Ben Nicholas
Having spent most of his life in the Coachella Valley, Nicholas is a California native with a passion for outdoor sports. A class ‘A’ PGA Member, Nicholas graduated with a degree in Liberal Studies from the College of the Desert.
With great respect for the game, Nicholas joined Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Golf Club in 2003 as Assistant Golf Professional. Nicholas soon developed a deep passion for helping golfers reach their full potential which led him to pursue a career in teaching golf; he became a Certified Instructor in 2005 at the Faldo Golf Institute at Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Resort, and has found teaching others to be a rewarding career.
Nicholas, who has had training from Sir Nick Faldo, works extensively with golfers of all skill levels and is especially passionate about junior golf; in fact, he is responsible for establishing a junior summer program at Shadow Ridge which is thriving today.
When Nicholas is not teaching the game, he is also an accomplished player, he has competed in the Southern California Section Championship for several years; his most recent success is capturing a second place finish in the Desert Chapter Championship in July 2010.
