2011 MAPGA Teacher of the Year
This award bestows special recognition on a PGA Professional for excellence in golf instruction along with overall distinguished performance as a PGA Professional.
Fran Rhoads, PGA
TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, Potomac, Maryland
Fran’s teaching philosophy is to develop a tailored approach to fit each individual based on their goals, physical attributes and ability level. His personal golf philosophy is to improve a little every day, and to pay attention to details.
Before becoming a golf professional in 1986, Fran worked at Chestnut Ridge Country Club in Lutherville, Maryland, under the late Mike McGinnis. From 1986-1992 he worked as an Assistant and Teaching Professional under Rick Krebs at Holly Hills Country Club in Ijamsville, Maryland. While employed at Holly Hills he was elected to PGA membership in 1988.
In 1993, Fran was selected as Head PGA Professional at Clustered Spires Golf Club in Frederick, Maryland where he stayed for two years before moving to Glade Valley in Walkersille, Maryland. Shortly after Glade Valley, Fran took an Instructor position at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm where he has been since 1997.
Since turning professional, Fran has been successful in various tournaments within both the Section and Nationally. In 1986 and 1987, he was on the MAPGA Yamaha Cup Team and in 1998 was on the MAPGA Squire Cup team. He qualified for the PGA National Club Professional Championship in 1990, for the Eastern Regional PGA National Club Professional Championships in 2001 and 2003, as well as the Anheuser Busch Classic PGA TOUR in 1989 and 1991.
Fran played on multiple MAPGA Chapter Challenge teams and was named MVP in 1999. With John Kocks in 1999 and Steve Bosdosh in 2002, Fran won the MAPGA Two-Man Scramble Championship.
Fran Rhoads was born on June 6, 1959 in Baltimore, Maryland to parents Arthur L. Rhoads and Claire O. Rhoads. Fran comes from a large family, boasting eight brothers and sisters. He started playing golf sporadically at the age of six when his uncle would take him to Clifton Park Golf Course in Baltimore, Maryland. He only began playing golf competitively at Catonsville Senior High School because he failed to make the cut for the baseball team.
To this day, Fran isn’t sure of what would have happened had he made the baseball team. Former PGA Head Professional at Diamond Ridge Golf Course, Johnny Musser, encouraged him to make golf his career and gave Fran an opportunity to work for him right out of high school.
While working at Diamond Ridge, Fran attended Catonsville Community College where he graduated in 1997 with an Associates degree in Business Administration. While at Catonsville, he was the Region XX, NJCAA Individual Golf Champion in 1979. In 1980, Fran was the Regional Medalist at the qualifier for the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship and in 1984 was named Baltimore City Public Links Champion. Fran also won the Baltimore City Amateur Championship in 1984 which took place at Woodholme Country Club.
Fran and his wife Lisa have been married for 25 years and have three beautiful children. Katie (24) received her Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Scranton; Paul (22) a graduate of Mount St. Mary’s University with a degree in Accounting and Andrew (21) is studying Economics and Writing at Loyola College in Baltimore.
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