Alumni Spotlight: Sean Lanyi, PGA
Posted on May 25, 2018
Sean Lanyi is a PGA Golf Professional, AimPoint Express Certified Level III Instructor and Putt Doctor Certified Instructor on the West Coast and Hawaiian Islands. Lanyi has been featured as the Lead Coach on Golf Channel Academy and his tips have aired on Morning Drive. Before making his way to the Golf Channel and earning all those certifications, he was a student at the Professional Golfers Career College. Learn more about Sean Lanyi, PGA in this alumni spotlight.
Sean Lanyi was first introduced to golf through his parents and has been playing since he was 15. “My first hole I made birdie and fell in love with the game.” After high school, Lanyi decided to pursue a golf career and enrolled in the Professional Golfers Career College. He quickly built relationships with the faculty like Jim Wilkinson, Kent Brown and founder Dr. Tim Somerville, which swayed him further to sign up. “I loved the idea of a career in the golf business and did everything I could to become a successful teaching professional and do what it took to grow the game.”
During his time at PGCC Lanyi learned many important lessons and made lifelong memories. Lanyi shares a favorite memory from his time at PGCC. “Qualifying and winning my International Cup matches against Brian Siemen to win the cup in the final match! It was a tremendous match that went back and forth, both of us shooting under par.”
Kent Brown helped change Lanyi’s entire approach to teaching golf. Lanyi explains he “Took a golf lesson from Kent Brown that changed my life and outlook on golf instruction. I learned to become a coach versus a teacher early in my career.” Another faculty member who left an imprint on Lanyi was Jim Wilkinson who “taught me countless lessons about the game, why it’s unique and why it is something that I was so impacted by.”
All the skills that Lanyi gained while at PGCC helped prepare him for his career in golf. “From learning calligraphy skills to writing a business plan to learning the in’s and out’s of the business, networking and meeting new people that help shape and create opportunities made it all worthwhile!”
After graduating from PGCC in 2000 with a degree in Professional Golf Management, Lanyi gained his first job in the golf industry at Oak Creek Golf Club, in Irvine, California, as an Assistant Golf Professional. While there Lanyi established a passion for growing the game and got involved with the Golf Channel’s Drive, Chip and Putt. In 2005, Lanyi became a PGA Class “A” Member.
Sean Lanyi went on to establish himself as a teacher at Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda, California, where he was the 1st Assistant Golf Professional and Tournament Coordinator. Lanyi earned his first professional golf tournament win on the Butch Harmon Tour and then returned home. He was experiencing severe pain in his right arm which ended up in reconstructive elbow surgery to repair tendon and nerve issues. This forced Lanyi to spend twelve months away from playing while he worked with a trainer and physical therapist. This work away from the course during his recovery led Lanyi to develop more diligent training habits and a stronger work ethic.
Sean Lanyi sought to teach golf full time and took a job at the Kaanapali Golf Resort. This position led to a career altering opportunity for Lanyi to join the Instruction Staff at the Kapalua Golf Academy. The Kapalua Golf Academy hosts the PGA Tour Sentry Tournament of Champions on the island of Maui. Lanyi then received mentoring and guidance from Jerry King, a Golf Digest Top 100 Teacher. A few years later he moved from the island of Maui to the island of Oahu to accept the role of PGA Director of Instruction at Ko Olina Golf Club. The chance to be the PGA Director of Instruction allowed Lanyi to establish a full service golf academy, which became one of the most popular junior golf programs in Hawaii. He spent more than two years at Ko Olina before relocating to Las Vegas.
In Vegas, Lanyi accepted the role of Head Instructor for the PGA Tour Academy at TPC Las Vegas. He was exposed to the best players in the world and got to see many PGA Tour players practice routines and daily work ethic. Lanyi went on to join the Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf at the DragonRidge Country Club. At DragonRidge his training was furthered by the mentoring and guidance of Mike Malaska, PGA Teacher of the Year in 2011 and Golf Digest Top 100 Teacher.
Sean Lanyi took the culmination of the knowledge and wisdom he gained from his various positions and mentors and moved back to Southern California. He established his own golf instruction business with Big Canyon Country Club, Monarch Beach Golf Links and Black Gold Golf Club. Lanyi relocated once again to the Pacific Northwest to join forces with the Golf Channel Academy.
Throughout his career in the golf industry, Lanyi has grown into a highly recognizable name for long-term youth and junior golf player development in the areas he coaches. He’s become a specialist in the short game, Putting and AimPoint Express Green Reading throughout the West Coast and Hawaiian Islands. He’s worked with a wide range of golfers from juniors, collegiate, to PGA and LPGA Players. Lanyi has earned recognition as a Top 50 US Kids Golf Master Kids Teacher and Junior Golf Leader for the Southern California PGA Section.
Lanyi finds that the most rewarding part of his career is, “Helping others enjoy this great game through my coaching.” Another benefit he relishes in is “I get to travel and play golf and help a lot of players play better golf.” For all those aspiring to follow in Lanyi’s footsteps and enrolling in PGCC he says “It will open so many doors! Don’t hesitate!”
Finally Lanyi leaves us with this golf tip. “Golf is so difficult, build a plan and focus your attention on one aspect of your game daily. Seek a PGA Professional and work at accomplishing your goals and aspirations. Visit my SeanLanyiGolf YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/SeanLanyiGolf) or follow me on Instagram (@seanlanyigolf).” Visit his website as well at: http://www.seanlanyigolf.com/.
(Photos Taken from Sean Lanyi’s Facebook)
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