About
Who We Are and What We're About
What We Do
We are a passionate group of professionals who are eager to serve your golf instructional needs. We rely on personal experience and modern technology to help you improve your game. We can create any program tailored to your golf needs through private/group instruction and fitness.Who We Are
We are about improving PNW golfers and providing a one of a kind experience here in the PNW when it comes to golf instruction.Our Staff
Alex Dunlop
Owner of The PNW Golf Academy, Alex is a Seattle native, his background includes competitive and recreational exposure to the game of golf for 20 years. He attended the David Leadbetter Golf Academy at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He competed for two years for the Washington State Cougars as well as studied Professional Golf Management at the University of Colorado where he completed his PGA class “A” certification. He is extremely passionate about all aspects of the game of golf and is eager to help promote the game through building relationships, teaching, and competition. He enjoys teaching every level of golfer and believes in using Trackman and V1 Slow Motion Video Analysis to help in your improvement. Alex was the youngest ever winner of the Western Washington Chapter’s PGA Teacher of the Year award and the first from The Golf Club at Newcastle. The Golf Club at Newcastle.
Derek Berg
Derek Berg grew up and currently resides in Duvall, WA with his wife Candice Berg and son Trase (second child expected this summer). He graduated from Cedarcrest High School in Duvall, in 1999 where he played golf and basketball. Upon graduating he earned a golf scholarship to The University of Washington where he played golf all four years there and graduated in 2003 with a BA in Sociology.
Derek has worked at many golf courses in the area such as Blue Heron (formally known as Carnation Golf Course), Golf Club at Redmond Ridge, Glendale Country Club, and most recent Sahalee Country Club.
In 2011 Derek turned professional. From 2011 to 2013 he spent my time playing on the Gateway and All-American Tour, The NGA Tour, and PGA Tour Canada.
Here’s a little about Derek in his own words: “I absolutely love the game of golf! Having been involved in the game for the last 27 years now and being around so many talented individuals, I feel like I have a lot of knowledge that can help all levels of golfers get better and enjoy the game more. I love sharing this knowledge and enjoy being around those who are as passionate as I am for the game.”
Recent Results:
-2019 Northwest Open Champion, 2021 Nortwest Open Runner-Up
-2021 WA Open Runner-Up
-2021 WWCPGA Champion, 2022 Runner-Up
-2022 PNW PGA Championship
-PGA National Club Pro Participant (2020,2021,2022, 2023)
Cory Mehl
Cory Mehl is a Seattle, WA native who grew up playing competitive junior golf across the state and country. Cory graduated from O’Dea High School in 2008 where he won 2 Individual Metro Championships, a Team State Championship Title. He shot a course record of 60 at Jefferson Park GC to break Fred Couples course record in the final round of the 2005 Metro Championship. Cory also won an AJGA event, played in multiple AJGA Invitationals, 2 Junior World Championships, The Western Junior, and The Western Amateur.
Cory graduated from Santa Clara University in 2012 where he played D1 collegiate golf and earned 1st Team All WCC, 2 out of his 4 years. Cory has also played in 3 US Open Sectional Qualifiers, 1 US Mid-Amateur Championship, and the Canadian Tour Q-School.
Cory recently became a Class “A” PGA Professional. He is extremely passionate about having fun while playing golf competitively, golf fitness and training for mental toughness. His long-term goal is to be a top PGA Instructor and player in the Pacific Northwest. When he’s not around golf, you can find him fishing, skiing, cooking, reading and spending time with his family and friends.
Recent Results:
-T-5 in the 2020 Northwest Open
-2nd in the 2022 Northwest Open
-T-5 in the 2022 Washington State Open.
Matt Fonner
Matt Fonner graduated from the University of San Diego in 1999. From 2000-2003 he played different mini tours in California, Florida and Arizona. He earned his Canadian Tour card in 2004 and from 2004-2009 he played competitively in the U.S.,Canada and Mexico. He qualified for U.S. Open Sectionals twice and won twice on the Pepsi Tour in 2007.
In 2009, Matt moved from San Diego to the Seattle area with his wife Andrea. In 2011 and 2012, Matt was a realtor on Mercer Island and helped coach the Mercer Island JV Golf Team with Alex Dunlop. From 2013 to present, Matt has been a stay at home Dad of twin girls. His passion and love for the game, especially instruction, has not taken a backseat. In 2016 Matt Became TPI Certified and continues to find ways to further his knowledge of the game he loves.
Blake Snyder
Blake Snyder is a professional originally from Seattle who grew up competing right here on the Washington Junior Golf Tour and the Seattle Prep Golf Team. During his college days, he played two years for the University of Hawaii, Hilo, then two seasons for Washington State University, where he was the team captain for his senior season. Following graduation, he took the
opportunity to travel the world with his golf clubs. Starting in 2014 he spent 7 years playing on various tours around the world, having held tour cards on the Asian Tour, PGA China Series, a European Tour Associates card, Mackenzie Tour, and most recently four seasons on the Japan Tour. He has won twice on the Asian Development Tour and two more times on satellite tours around Asia.
In 2022, his first full year as a PGA teaching professional, Blake maintained a
healthy playing career in the section that saw him claim the Player of the Year Award for the Western Washington Chapter. He did so securing wins at the Chapter Assistant Championship and Western Washington Matchplay, as well 3 top 5s in the Section Majors including a 2nd place finish at the Washington Open.
Over his 8 years of professional golf, Blake has worked with several swing coaches, mental coaches, as well as fitness and nutrition coaches to try and get the most out of his game. He is inspired to try and do the same for others. Instilling a teaching style that pulls inspiration from many great players and coaches over golf’s long history, he particularly draws from the career
of Tiger Woods. He also encourages his students to think outside the box while developing and applying new skills, preaching shot selection and creativity. Blake considers himself a student of the game who loves learning all its intricacies and is passionate about growing the game.
Recent Results:
-2022 Western WA PGA Player of the Year
-2022 Assistants Chapter Champion
-2022 WA Open Runner-Up
-2022 PGA Match Play Champion
Jamie Hall
5-year touring pro
Jamie is originally from Seattle and has played competitive golf for 16 years, where he excelled at locally at Seattle Prep. He attended both the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Seattle University where he competed on both D-1 golf teams while also receiving all conference awards at both schools. After college Hall spent 5 years competing on various professional tours across the US and Canada where he was able to win 4 times.
Even though he hasn’t given up competing, he is now shifting his focus to teaching! Jamie is excited to bring his prior knowledge of the golf swing to all levels of golfers and share his experience at events with our competitive golfers.