Two-time “Best Young Teacher” honoree adds Section honor to his growing list of achievements
Farmington, PA – Nemacolin, Pennsylvania’s premier luxury golf resort destination, is proud to congratulate director of instruction at The Nemacolin Golf Academy, Mike LaBella, on being named the Tri-State PGA Section Teacher and Coach of the Year for 2024.
As a golf instructor, nothing validates one’s work better than the success of their students. And, as a golf professional, nothing is much better than earning the respect of your peers. In LaBella’s case, he has both. As it turns out, the PGA professional who nominated him for Teacher and Coach of the Year distinction, Steve Kusenko, the head professional at Mon Valley Country Club in Perryopolis, Pa., is also one of his students. LaBella is definitely a pro’s pro.
“Mike LaBella is a great young teacher,” said Kusenko, a former competitive player and teacher himself who was looking for help with his own game. “A lot of these young guys talk a lot and say very little. Mike has a great way of communicating. There might be 100 separate ways to say something, but great communication comes from knowing what to say to each student.”
Plus, Kusenko said, LaBella has all the latest technology at Nemacolin, and he knows how to use it. “Part of being a good teacher is knowing how to utilize the gadgets,” Kusenko said. “That’s his passion.”
LaBella – who is 35 years old and has twice been named to Golf Digest’s list of Best Young Teachers – has been working at Nemacolin since 2020.
“It makes you feel good when people like (Steve) come to see you,” said LaBella, who was also a US Kids Golf top 100 instructor in 2015 and one of the top 50 coaches for Operation 36 in 2019.
LaBella’s endorsements, however, go well beyond the pros he teaches. His students run the gamut, from juniors to adults to highly competitive players who are making their marks in junior golf, high school, college, and beyond.
The Penn State graduate’s passion for teaching and coaching started during his high school days when he helped out at junior camps and also worked at the club where he grew up. LaBella’s initial path was to become a head professional, but he soon got hooked on teaching during his third college internship at Catawba Island Club in Ohio. He would later start a junior academy at St. David’s Golf near Philadelphia.
He also counts Brian Jacobs, his junior instructor with whom he would work alongside, as his early mentor. He also credits the legendary Craig Harmon, of Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, as another considerable influence. What he learned is that working with students is about building what he calls a “360” relationship.
“I love the interaction between me and my students,” said LaBella, noting that he continues to adapt his teaching methods and ideas through education and technology advancements. “You see these people on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, and you really get to form a relationship with them, and you also get to see them grow as a player.
“I have students who could care less about their score. They just want to see a ball that flies a little better or feels a little better off the face. A lot of people are more interested in the outcome, but just getting those people to reach their goals and forming relationships is what it’s all about.”
For any student who comes in for long term coaching, LaBella puts them through an extensive assessment first. It would include how they hit the driver, 7-iron, wedge, and putting. He also does a mental assessment.
“So, I’m getting a full 360 of what’s going on,” LaBella said. “Once we’ve figured out what’s going on, we’ll come up with the direction we want to start going.”
Of course, it doesn’t hurt that LaBella has the latest cutting-edge hardware that includes the likes of Trackman launch monitors and simulators, Foresight Sports’ GCQuadTM launch monitor, and Swing Catalyst’s Balance and Dual Force Plates. Knowing how and when to use all these tools, though, is what makes a teacher most effective, and LaBella, who regularly attends coaching summits and seminars, knows these technologies inside and out.
LaBella puts much emphasis on biomechanics, which is where he says technology has really helped in recent years. It’s important, he said, to make sure that methods and instruction match up with each person’s physical capabilities.
“Everybody’s body is different, so we have to figure out how we match up all these bits and pieces to get the person moving,” LaBella said. “How does their body want them to move versus let’s put this person in positions like Adam Scott, for example. That’s my goal. How do we work this around a person’s body versus get this model swing.”
He has also been employing the latest on the mental side of the game, using a biofeedback device called the FocusCalm EEG headband. Collin Morikawa is one of the higher profile tour pros who uses it, and LaBella has been recommending it to some of his more competitive players. FocusCalm helps players train to calm their mind, which is critical in executing on the golf course under pressure.
In addition to his regular students and members at Nemacolin, LaBella also has worked with resort guests, many of whom regularly return to The Nemacolin Golf Academy for follow-up help. LaBella also runs “Premier Schools” at the resort. They often include high profile guest instructors.
Learn more about The Nemacolin Golf Academy at https://www.nemacolin.com/golf/golf-academy/.
ABOUT NEMACOLIN
Nestled among 2,200 scenic acres within the Allegheny Mountains and picturesque Laurel Highlands region of Pennsylvania, Nemacolin offers diverse and luxurious lodging options, including the Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond Falling Rock boutique hotel an impressive assortment of dining outlets such as the Forbes Five-Star Lautrec, and an expansive art collection for resort guests to enjoy.
Nemacolin is home to two of the Northeast’s most lauded and scenic golf courses: Mystic Rock (a Golf Digest “Editors’ Choice” selection and past host of the PGA TOUR’s 84 Lumber Classic) and Shepherd’s Rock, both designed by the legendary Pete Dye and showcasing thrilling shot values and unforgettable natural panoramic views of the region. The golf experience at Nemacolin perfectly complements an adventurous, rewarding vacation that can also include a range of activities such as a ropes course, off-road Jeep adventures, fly-fishing, swimming, sporting clays and instruction, a wildlife safari tour, gaming at The Casino at Nemacolin, and much more.
The Zen-seeker may find serenity in the Woodlands Spa and Salon or balance at the Holistic Healing Center. Nemacolin also boasts a private airstrip and 35,000 square feet of space for meetings and special events, making this resort the ideal choice for everything from weddings to corporate retreats.
To learn more, visit Nemacolin.com.
To learn more, visit Nemacolin.com.
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Carl Mickelson
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