‘FIVE UNDER WITH ROGER KNICK’ TEES OFF
GOLF ACADEMY FOUNDER LAUNCHES NEW PODCAST
RECENT INTERVIEW FEATURES UCONN HEAD GOLF COACH DAVE PEZZINO
PGA Professional Roger Knick, founder of The Golf Performance Center (GPC) in Ridgefield, Conn. and winner of the Youth Player Development Award by the Metropolitan Section of the PGA, has launched a podcast featuring influential figure in the golf word. Entitled Five Under with Roger Knick, the new weekly podcast can be heard on Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.
Five Under with Roger Knick this week features University of Connecticut Head Men’s Golf Coach Dave Pezzino. Now in his 13th season at UConn, Pezzino was named Coach of the Year for the 2018-2019 season by the New England Division I golf coaches and the Huskies were named Team of the Year that season. Academically, UConn was honored for the second consecutive year as a national All-Academic Team and 60 of his student-athletes have been named to their respective conference’s All-Academic teams since he arrived at UConn. Pezzino shares his thoughts about what qualities he is looking for in a junior golfer and how prospective college golfers can better prepare themselves for the recruiting process.
“I’ve been thinking about doing a podcast for a while and I’m excited to share the thoughts and experiences of many successful and inspirational people with junior golfers and their parents,” said Knick, who also founded the Junior Golf Hub, Ethan Allen Preparatory School and runs the most successful golf academy in the Northeast. “Most of my guests will provide helpful hints and advice for young golfers aspiring to advance their golf careers in college and beyond.”
Another episode of Five Under with Roger Knick features Jon VanDerlaan, a rookie on the Korn Ferry Tour. VanDerlaan, 23, a 2018 graduate of Florida Southern University and a Jack Nicklaus Award winner, started working on his game at the Golf Performance Center at the age of 13.
In an in-depth interview he credits Knick and the atmosphere at The GPC with helping him develop his game and put him on track to achieving his ultimate goal of becoming a professional golfer and then using what he learned at The GPC to help him prepare physically and psychologically to compete on Tour.
Originally from Danville, Virginia, Knick is a 1989 graduate of Elon University. He is a Sports Performance Specialist, having spent over 20 years developing and refining his knowledge and practical application of coaching. He is a Class-A PGA Professional, TPI Level III and K-Motion Biomechanics certified instructor.
Knick has worked with aspiring high school and collegiate athletes, as well as PGA, LPGA, NHL, MLB, NBA and NFL players. His ability to coach many different levels is due to his diverse background in sports and the understanding that “function dictates form.” As a former division one athlete and professional athlete, he has a deep understanding of his clients’ goals, objectives and how to work with them to make it happen.
