Mike Messina '86 Named Varsity Golf Coach
Loyola Blakefield is happy to announce Mike Messina, PGA, as its new varsity golf coach. Mike is a proud graduate of the Class of 1986. He is currently the Teaching Professional at Greystone Golf Course in Whitehall, MD.
During his 20+ year career, Mike has worn many hats. He was an Assistant Golf Professional at Longview and Geneva Farm Golf Courses. He was also the Head Professional at Greystone Golf Course and the Player Development Director at Fox Hollow Training Center. Throughout his career, the one thing that has remained constant is Mike’s love of teaching. “Although I enjoyed the challenge of running the day-to-day operations of a golf facility, my true passion is teaching,” said Mike. “I especially like teaching juniors. It’s so rewarding seeing juniors develop not only as players, but as people as well.”
Mike’s dedication to junior golf is well known. He rejuvenated the golf program at Geneva Farm and started a junior league there. He also started a junior league at Greystone, which has 30 active players. “I’m really proud of the Greystone League. It was a grassroots effort getting this league up and running. The support the league has gotten from parents and juniors has been tremendous. I’m also proud to say that the league has many participating Loyola Dons.”
Mike also teaches numerous junior golf clinics and individual junior lessons throughout the year. A few years ago, Mike taught a Loyola Middle School Clinic at Fox Hollow. “Being a Don, that clinic was especially fun for me as a few of those kids are now playing for Loyola’s JV team.” Mike has also helped numerous juniors make their high school golf teams. “It's always an incredible feeling when one of my juniors makes their school team. There’s nothing like seeing their smiles when they tell me they have made it. Often, this is the culmination of months or years of lessons and coaching. I think it reinforces in the junior that hard work and dedication pays off. Out of all the things I have done in my golf career, the accomplishment I am most proud of is my success rate of helping juniors make their school teams.”
Mike looks forward to providing a stable, positive presence for Loyola’s golf program now and into the future. “Mike is a true Don who brings leadership, commitment, and an atmosphere of competition to our golf program,” said Loyola Blakefield Athletics Director Brant Hall. “His extensive experience teaching the game of golf makes him the right candidate for the job. I am excited for our guys and look forward to our program taking the next step in the MIAA.”
“I was thrilled when Mr. Hall called and told me I had the varsity coaching job,” said Mike. “Loyola really is a special place. It’s a brotherhood, a fraternity that transcends generations. My time at Loyola paved the way for the man I am today. I consider it a privilege to give a little bit back to this community that has given me so much.”
