About Imperial...
Imperial golf was started in 2013 as a stand alone golf facility here in Parkville, MO. With a lot hard work and perseverance we were able to grow the business through word of mouth based on a stellar reputation for eye opening instruction. Over the last few years our vision has been and still remains to impact the world of golf on a major scale. The renovation in February, 2017 was the first major step in the direction of growth for Imperial Golf. Creating a one of a kind purpose built facility that encompass' all aspects of the game of golf to further benefit our students and help mold a better game tee to green. With hard work and determination we are now poised to grow the brand of Imperial Golf.
Why Imperial Golf?
We wanted a name that would separate us from all other instruction as well as a name that was diverse enough to be applied to other areas of the golf industry. Instruction is just the beginning for Imperial Golf and we feel with our knowledge and professionalism we'll be able to branch out into others areas within the world of golf.
Why get rid of the "academy" name?
Our vision initially was to create something that was less regional so that when we start expanding beyond our current location the transition would be less complicated. Further more, in the world of changing golf retailers and club companies our role within the golf industry has yet to be defined. We are excited to find out what opportunities await us!
Jon Snyder - DeWitt, IA
Owner - Professional Coach
Bio -
Growing up in Eastern Iowa, I developed a passion for the game of golf at an early age getting involved in such events as the John Deere Classic as a caddie, playing in competitive junior golf, and working seasonally on the course maintenance crew at Glynn’s Creek golf course in Long Grove, Iowa. I went on to play golf for Central DeWitt High School making varsity freshman year, placing top ten in over 10 Tournaments and top 3 in 5 Tournaments and finally going to State Golf senior year at Spirit Hollow Golf Club.
After graduation I studied landscape architecture at Iowa State for two years, and then volunteered for AmeriCorps for one year as a transition to enrolling in the Golf Academy of America program at the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina campus to finish college. While finishing school in Myrtle Beach, I was able to cultivate the desire he had for teaching and growing the game of golf through his classes as well as participating in other events like the World Amateur Tournament as a Rules Official, the Father/Son Classic, and played in competitive events weekly.
Graduating with honors and Player’s Credentials from the Academy he transitioned immediately into to a full time teaching career in Kansas City, MO at the end of 2012. I have remained here since continuing to pursue the vision created at the Golf Academy in Myrtle Beach. The primary focus is showing golfers of all skill levels how to create process and therefor become more self sufficient. Imperial Golf was recognized by the Golf Academy of America in 2017 and 2018 earning top 100 Alumni honors in back to back years.
Imperial Golf continues to grow with the majority of students at minimum achieving their goals and many far surpassing their original goals. And with many young golfers earning college scholarships in the past few years, our reputation is on the rise.
J.T. Watson - Battle Ground, WA
Marketing Director - Professional Coach
Bio -
I started playing golf at the age of 6 with the help and guidance of my Dad, Uncles and Grandpa and continued on into High School winning a district title in 2002. Golf was not my primary sport and despite only making my High School team my freshman year I persevered and earned a scholarship to play basketball and soccer at a small College in Portland, Oregon. Years later I wanted to get back into golf, and in 2011 I enrolled in the Golf Academy of America program in Myrtle Beach, SC.
I Graduated with honors and earned my Players Credential. Upon graduating I started teaching with Edwin Watts Golf Academy. In my first 10 months I was promoted to open a store in Naples, FL. Six months after arriving in Florida, Edwin Watts declared bankruptcy. I then focused really hard on my playing abilities and started pursuing competition.
Summer of 2016 I spent time Caddying in Boston and was lucky enough to get on some tour pros bags a few times. Tom Watson and Ryan Moore being a few that I saw during my time up there.
November of 2016, I. joined Imperial Golf as their Marketing Director to help grow their presence online as well as cultivate new ideas for growth. From website design to social media, our online presence has been a mission of mine to create relevant and engaging content that’s enjoyable and easy for golfers to understand.
Competition: October 2017 I passed my PAT to initiate my process of becoming PGA certified as well. I have now played in a few U.S. Open Qualifiers as well as the Tom Watson Challenge Qualifier. My growth as a competitive golfer as well as a coach is a long term journey.
Brandon Trytek - Ames, IA
Professional Fitter - Professional Coach
Bio-
I’ve been swinging a golf club as long as I can remember. It started when my grandpa got me a plastic set of clubs for my second birthday. A few years later I graduated to a cut down 7-iron with a duct tape handle, my older brother and I creating our own holes around the house and back yard. We spent many summer days riding bikes around the neighborhood and hitting our whiffle golf balls around and over the house. (And often filling the gutters with them)
Freshman year of high school is when I really put my focus on golf and haven’t looked back since. Practicing and playing as much as I could, regularly getting lessons, and garnering as much as I could from watching my favorite tour pros like Freddie Couples, Tiger, and Phil to try to take my game to the next level. After one year at Iowa State in the Meteorology program, I knew traditional education wasn’t going to work for me. Following my passion for golf, and remembering how it felt as a student of the game to have a coach help you make that next breakthrough or reach that next milestone, I enrolled at the Golf Academy of America in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in 2011.
After graduating with honors for academic and playing ability achievements, I quickly found a job at a country club in eastern Iowa as an assistant professional. I soon moved on to a resort course in the Wisconsin Dells before eventually settling back in central Iowa, where I ended up getting offered a job from a longtime friend as an insurance agent, where I pursued my career for 7 years. I continued my passion for golf in that time. Playing and practicing with any free time I had, giving lessons to friends, family, and even strangers I would meet on the range. Just waiting for an opportunity to get back into golf world full time. That opportunity came in the form of a random chance meeting with JT in the comments section of a YouTube video. After connecting with him and Jon the plan was set to become a full-time club fitter and instructor again with Imperial Golf.
I look forward to helping my students have the same feeling of accomplishment and progress that I had, bringing their game to the next level to achieve their goals. Coaching them to better understand the swing, how it works, and improving the way they play the game.