News

As the Head Golf Professional at Egypt Valley, Mike McGonigal uses his in-depth golf knowledge to help members better their skills and further develop their game while enjoying all the amenities the Club has to offer. Take a moment to get to know Mike a bit better, including his interesting golf background!

Please share with us a bit about your journey with golf!
I started golfing at age six when I went to the driving range with my dad. He told me I had to hit the ball 100 yards to be able to go golfing with him. So, I practiced and was able to play with him at age eight. I started working at a driving range at age 14, picking balls for $2.80 an hour. By senior year of high school, I knew that I wanted to be a golf professional. I had my first golf lesson and I saw what he did and knew that’s what I wanted to do.

I later graduated with my Professional Golf Management degree from Professional Golfer’s Career College in Temecula, California. I ended up playing for two years at Henry Ford Community College, where I qualified individually for National Finals both years. I became and Elected Class A PGA Member in 2004 and was named Michigan PGA Private Merchandiser of the year in 2018.

From 1998-2008, I worked as an Assistant Golf Professional at private clubs in Michigan and Arizona. I’ve also served as a Head Golf Professional for 14 years at three different clubs: Hassayampa Country Club in Prescott, Arizona; Birmingham Country Club in Birmingham, Michigan; and now Egypt Valley Country Club beginning in 2014.

Please share a bit about your Egypt Valley journey and how you ended up at the Club.
We were looking to grow our family on the west side of the state—great people, a nice place to raise our family and enjoy life at a slower pace. Egypt Valley has a great reputation pertaining to their history (of tournaments hosted), so I wanted to be a part of that and this was the dream position!

What’s your favorite part of your role as Head Golf Professional at the Club?
I enjoy traveling with members to different places around the world (Ireland, Scotland, Bandon Dunes, Whistling Straits, Arizona, Pinehurst, Arcadia Bluffs, PGA National and my favorite, Reynolds Lake Oconee). Upcoming trips include Big Cedar Lodge and Bandon Dunes.

I also enjoy creating and orchestrating tournaments, coming up with original ideas for the members and making all events our premiere events. Interest in the Men’s Invitational has grown from 56 teams to 108, with a waitlist of 80!

What are your top tips for any members looking to improve their game this season?
This is what I say to all my students: “A golf professional is the doctor; we give you the pill. If you don’t take the pill, then you won’t feel better. Take the pill.”

When you’re not at the Club, what could you most likely be found doing?
Either at my daughter’s soccer or basketball games/practice, at my son’s hockey and baseball games/practice (I’m helping coach baseball!), eating at Butcher’s Union with my wife, hanging with staff for some team building, and cheering on the Lions (good and bad).