Who is this guy?
Mark Hagenbach is a Life Member of the Professional Golfers Association who started playing golf at the age of four. Growing up in Decatur, Illinois, his love of the game developed into a professional career. He graduated from Furman University in 1979 where he received two B.A. Degrees – Economics/Business Administration and Philosophy. As a member of the Paladin Golf Team, he competed against former PGA Tour players Fred Couples, Larry Mize, Payne Stewart, and Bob Tway, among other notables while at the collegiate level.
Mark served as the Head Professional at Green Bay CC (Green Bay, WI), Green Acres CC (Northbrook, IL), Highland Park CC (Highland Park, IL) and as the first Director of Golf at Blackwolf Run (Kohler, WI). While teaching and instruction have been his primary focus, Mark has been a student of course design/redesign as well as facility planning and design.
As an Assistant Professional he was employed at The Club at Morningside (Rancho Mirage, CA) and Westmoreland CC (Wilmette, IL) under Vern Fraser as well as Eagle Creek Country Club in Naples, Florida for Ken Venturi, Sunset Ridge CC (Northbrook, IL) with Tom Wilcox and Prestwick CC (Frankfort, IL) for Jim Arendt.
Mark’s teaching experience runs the gamut from beginners, to state high school champions, to accomplished amateurs. He has conducted numerous clinics for men, women, juniors, autistic individuals plus Wounded Warriors as a member of the Illinois PGA and Wisconsin PGA. Understanding and achieving individualized levels of success with each student is key in his efforts. While some may view him as an instructor, he approaches the learning process from a coaching perspective. Mark wants students to leave the course with more than improved numbers on their scorecard and swing thoughts in their heads. His focus is coaching students how to play a better game through his seven principles. In addition, he encourages students to become more knowledgeable about the game’s history while also respecting the sport. PurePlayGolf reflects his life-long experience and encompasses his thoughts while acquainting players to all aspects of the game, rather than just the swing.
Residing in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Mark and his wife Sandy have two sons, Ryan and Benjamin. In addition to his duties with PurePlayGolf, he is also a published author. When spring breaks in Northeast Wisconsin Mark serves as the boys golf coach at Denmark High School.