Peter Bakker

Peter is in his fifth year with the Mike Bender Elite Golf Academy as the Program Director and Head Coach, and his 30th year as a professional golfer – training juniors for college or professional level.
This South African started his coaching career back in the late 1980’s at the Prestigious Randpark Golf Club in his hometown of Johannesburg, where he worked and became a respected coach and friend with many notable Professionals the like’s of Mark McNulty, David Frost and Gary Player.

He also had the pleasure of training dozens of PGA Tour professionals, as well as , implementing his Junior training philosophy and programs to his academy students which included players like Charl Schwartzel, Richard Sterne, Trevor Dodds and Clinton Whitelaw.

Many of these players have gone on to win major tournaments. Peter’s students combined have had more than 100 professional wins and every junior golfer that he has taught in the last 10 years has gone on to play College Golf with more than a 70% Scholarship.

Peter has traveled to 64 countries, playing or teaching, and has a wealth of experience. 

Career Achievements/Highlights

• Complete Golfer Top 20 teacher 2000
• Top 50 Kids Teacher USA Honorable mention 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
• Sunshine PGA Tour for 3 years
• Vector Green Reading Certified Instructor
• US Kids Golf Instructor Certified
• K-Vest Instructor Certified (level1 & level 2)
• Mitchell, Mizuno, Taylor made, Titleist, Club fitting Certified
• 3D Bio-Mechanics and body motion measurement Certified, Golftec USA
• Member of the PGA Of South Africa, Professional Golf management , 1992
• Member of the PGA of America, Professional Golf Management, 2009
• Studied at the Belfry, Birmingham, England, British PGA Headquarters
• Director of Instruction, EaglesDream Golf Academy Orlando Florida
• Director of Instruction, WEPGA, Orlando Florida, USA
• Director of Instruction, Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy, California, USA
• Director of Instruction, Golftec, Boston, USA
• Director of Golf, Silo ridge CC, New York, USA
• Director of Golf, Silver Lakes CC, Pretoria, South Africa
• Director of Golf, Glendower CC, Johannesburg, South Africa
• Certified Ski Instructor