Clinics & Programs
Western Turnpike hosts some of the most comprehensive golf programs in the Capital District. A high percentage of our new players become lifelong golfers and experienced golfers improve their game thanks to the experience of our PGA certified instructors. Whether you are an experienced golfer or a rookie looking to build your skills, our expert instructors can help you sharpen your skills.
Over 80 adults sign up and enjoy our clinics each year taught by PGA certified professionals. By attending our clinics beginners will be given the information they need to get started on the golf course. For more advanced players, clinics offer a chance to hone their skills at the various aspects of the game. We offer multiple sessions each season and regularly add additional sessions to handle demand. Many of our students advance by joining golf leagues, or becoming members at Western or other public, semi-private and private golf courses to further develop the skills they learn in our clinics.
Our Junior Clinics are a great way to introduce kids to the sport and teach the fundamentals to build a strong golf game. We prioritize having fun and encourage kids to come back out to play with their friends and families. Our goal is to instill an overall appreciation of the game of golf while developing skills. Our program averages about 120 kids each year, many of whom return year after year. The program is led by our PGA certified professionals whose years of experience have led to over 50 of our clinic attendees advancing to play Varsity Golf at Guilderland HS and other local high schools.
Junior League
The PGA Jr. League is run by PGA Professional Joe Lavigna and is open to players of all skill levels, from true beginners to competitive golfers. Kids will learn and play in a two-person, scramble format that fosters mentorship among teammates. Over the course of each season, we see our players grow in confidence, learn to work as a team and develop problem-solving skills.
Our Junior League team practices and has matches each week, teaching kids the fundamentals of golf along with the etiquette expected on the golf course. Players receive numbered jerseys and get an introduction to an individual sport in a team atmosphere allowing kids to interact with each other. Our goal is to develop not only golf skills, but also fundamental life skills with social, and physical benefits.
Private Lessons
Western Turnpike is the premier destination to improve your golf game one-on-one with a PGA Professional instructor. With over 60 years of collective teaching expertise, having taught touring PGA professionals as well as your local weekend golfers, the golf professionals at Western Turnpike are enthusiastic about teaching players of all abilities.
Not only are our professionals experts in the technical details of a golf swing, but they are also experts on how to teach. Knowing how to teach is one of the very most important characteristics of a great golf professional. The combination of technical know-how and teaching expertise among our professionals at Western Turnpike is guaranteed to bring your score down.
Sign up for your private lesson today!
All lessons are 45 minutes in length.
Herb Moreland …………….. $100 per lesson or $360 for a package of four lessons
Casey Childs ……………….. $80 per lesson or $280 for a package of four lessons
Joe LaVigna …………………..$80 per lesson or $280 for a package of four lessons
Joe also offers Private Group Lessons available for group sizes 2-4
2 People: $120
3 People: $150
4 People: $160
Meet the Professionals
Herb Moreland
The instruction at Western Turnpike is led by PGA professional Herb Moreland. Herb is a four time winner of the Northeastern New York PGA Teacher of the Year Award. He was a member of the National PGA Teaching Advisory Board from 1993 through 1996 and was elected to the Northeastern New York PGA Hall of Fame in 2005. During his 44 years at Western, he has enjoyed much success in teaching. His students include:
- 45 Club champions
- 31 Division I Scholarship athletes
- Three New York State Junior Girls Championships
- A runner up in the United States Women’s Public Links Championship
- Five Northeastern Women’s Golf Association Champions
- An All American woman and a men’s captain at Florida State University
- Coach to Moira Dunn and Kris Tamulis. Bothe winners on the LPGA Tour. Moira won the Giant Eagle Classic, and Kris won the Yokohama Classic. They have amassed over $5 million in earnings. Most Recently Moira finished 4th in the United States Senior Women’s open in Portland, Oregon.
Casey Childs
Casey is starting his 25th year at Western Turnpike. A Class A PGA Professional and the Director of Golf at the facility, Casey is a resident of the Town of Guilderland and looks forward to living in the town for many years. He graduated from Guilderland High School and the University at Albany with a degree in Business Administration. Casey enjoys coordinating the fun and informative Junior Golf Programs and the ever popular Adult Golf Clinics at Western Turnpike. In addition, Casey teaches individual lessons and looks forward to improving your game.
Joe LaVigna
Joe LaVigna is a Class ‘A’ PGA Professional offering group and Individual lessons. Joe runs our Junior and Adult Clinics here at Western Turnpike. As a life-long resident of the Town of Guilderland Joe has been working at Western Turnpike since 2009. He completed his Class “A” PGA certification in 2020. Joe prides himself on his patience and making golf simple, athletic, and fun for golfers of all ages. He is both an enthusiastic teacher and student of the game of Golf.
