'News-Times' debuts golf columnist

David Goolsby has found his calling as a golf teacher, and now he's going to help readers of The Columbia County News-Times find the path to golfing success.

Goolsby, the director of instruction at The International Golf Academy at Jones Creek Golf Club in Evans, will author a series of golf tips for The News-Times, and his insight into the swing debuts today.

The Georgia native was raised in Augusta, where at age 13 he began his golf career as a teacher's assistant at one of the area's top facilities.

After graduating from Evans High School, Goolsby accepted a soccer scholarship at Andrew College, but in 1995 he gave up that sport and began to pursue his true passion of teaching golf.

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Goolsby's first step was enrolling at The San Diego Golf Academy, where he studied biomechanics, kinesiology and physics as they pertain to the golf swing.

The study of those sciences, along with his eye for teaching the swing, allowed Goolsby to return to Augusta in 1998 as one of the area's top instructors.

As teaching professional at the Augusta Country Club, Goolsby worked with some of the country's best collegiate and amateur players, and he guided the club's junior program.

In 2000, Goolsby joined renowned golf instructor David Ledbetter at Lake Nona Golf Club in Orlando, Fla. There, Goolsby served as Ledbetter's assistant, and worked with PGA stars Ernie Els, Charles Howell, David Frost, Nick Price, Tom Watson and many other elite players.

Two years later, Goolsby and his wife, Audrey, moved to Ledbetter's Junior Academy, where Goolsby helped groom the best young golfers in the world.

By accepting his position at Jones Creek this November, Goolsby has returned to his roots in Columbia County.

Now, with his contributions for The News-Times, Goolsby will provide some tips to lead local players to lower scores on the golf course.