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 John Ray Leary was a member of USC’s golf team. Leary, who began working at Angeles National in late 2007, spent three years caddying for Chi Chi Rodriguez on the Champions Tour. He also counts Dennis Sheehy and Alan Fine — who have both taught PGA Tour player Stephen Ames — as influential figures. What inspired you to become a golf teacher? I will forever be a student of the game. I love being the stepping stone for my students to try to become the best players they can be. What was the first thing that attracted you to the game? The ability to compete and rely only on yourself. In golf, you always have the last shot in the game, and I love that aspect. What’s the best golf tip you’ve ever received? The game is 50 percent brains and 50 percent guts. When one outweighs the other, the game will beat you. I learned that from Chi Chi Rodriguez. What’s the most common problem you see in your students, and how do you fix it? Poor impact. There are a multitude of drills to get better impact. The one I like the most is to take half backswings and half follow-through swings, with the follow-through feeling as if the clubhead never gets above the hands. Whose swing do you admire most on the PGA Tour and why? Trevor Immelman. I played a lot with and against him when we were juniors and amateurs, and I have seen the work he has put in to get to where he is today. What’s your best round ever, and where? A 63 on the North Course at Los Serranos Country Club for the Nissan Open Qualifier. I own six course records, too. What is your favorite part of the game? Short game. There are so many different interpretations of a basic-looking shot, like a flop, bump and run, skip and check, etc. What professional golfer would you most like to be reincarnated as? Way too easy — Tiger Woods, because he is The Man. What’s your greatest achievement in golf? I like to think it has yet to come. If I feel like it has happened, then there is no reason to work hard anymore. SG |
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