Phil’s journey with golf began in Tyler, Texas, where he spent his childhood perfecting his game. During high school, he found his passion for volunteering with First Tee – Greater Tyler. While pursuing his education at West Point and serving in the U.S. Army in Germany, Phil took a hiatus from the organization. However, his dedication to empowering youth through golf led him back to the First Tee family in 2021, this time with First Tee – Greater San Antonio.

There, he coached numerous sessions and lent his support at the Valero Texas Open. Now, Phil has brought his expertise and enthusiasm to the First Tee of Greater Chicago as a volunteer. Alongside his commitment to mentoring young golfers, Phil is currently pursuing an MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. This summer, he’ll be interning with Nike’s Strategy team, with hopes of securing a full-time position upon completing his Master’s program.

Phil’s passion for teaching life skills through golf stems from his own experiences. He credits the sport for instilling qualities like integrity, resilience, and determination, which were essential during his time leading Soldiers in the U.S. Army. Phil finds fulfillment in inspiring the next generation, guiding them to develop confidence, resilience, and self-improvement, ultimately helping them become the best versions of themselves.

“I’m energized when the kids experience that ‘aha‘ moment, be it figuring out how to hit a particular golf shot or learning a foundational value that they can carry to all aspects of their life.”