Forest Akers Teaching Professionals

Steve Ruthenberg, Director of Golf Instruction, PGA Professional.
Steve has been a member of the Professional Golfers Association of America for over 20 years. He has taught hundreds of students of all ages and abilities. He is an adjunct professor for the MSU Kinesiology Department. He is the author of two books "Golf Fore Beginners" and "Golf Fore Kids".

Tom Kang, Teaching Professional, PGA Apprentice:
As a PGA Apprentice, Tom is a graduate of Michigan State University and the San Diego Golf Academy. He is entering his 4rd year as part of the Golf Center Staff, Fluent in Korean, Tom is a valuable addition to the instructional staff at the Golf Center.

Stephene Benkert, Teaching Professional, Golf Shop Manager:
Stephene joined Forest Akers in the spring of 1998. She was a member of the MSU Women's Golf Team and gained experience at Fair Oaks Golf Park in Fairfax, Virginia, and at Swing Video Golf Academy in Monroe, Michigan. Stephene has served as the Golf Coach for the Okemos High School Girls Varsity Golf Team since 2005.

Rachel Lubahn, Teaching Professional:
A former four-year varsity member of the MSU Women's Golf Team, Rachel brings great knowledge and excellent skills to her students and our staff. During her senior year, she helped her team to a 16th place finish nationally in the NCAA Division I Women's National Golf Championship. Rachel was also the 2007 Women's Individual Golf Champion, holding the record for the lowest 72-hole combined score in Women's Big Ten Championship History. A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Rachel enjoys working with golfers of all ages and abilities.

Bart Lower, Teaching Professional:
A native of Western Michigan, Bart brings a combination of over 10 years of teaching experience and nearly 20 years of competitive tournament play to the The Golf Center at MSU. As a co-captain of the Eastern Michigan University Men's golf team and former contestant of the The Golf Channel's reality series "The Big Break". Bart's experiences have helped him develop an abilitiy to communicate the intricacies of the golf swing in a clear and easy to understand manner for golfers of all abilities and ages.

Ron Applegate, Teaching Professional, PGA Professional:
Ron has a degree in Education along with experience coaching both high school and college golf. He has taught in the Lansing area for thirty-five years. He has competed professionally, with a runner-up finish in the 1982 Central Chapter Championship and once scored a 65 playing a celebrity Pro/Am. He currently teaches golf classess for Lansing Community College. As an instructor, his strength is teaching his students so they understand the game in relation to their ability.

Private Golf Instruction 
The professional staff at Forest Akers Golf Courses create a dynamic practice schedule tailored to your needs. The Golf Center offers the most comprehensive lesson program in Mid-Michigan; whether in one of our golf schools or in a individual golf lesson, let us help you perform your best. You may choose from the following professionals: Click here to sign up online

PGA Instructor Rates

Teaching Professional rates for: