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WGANJ Teaching Professionals

We offer group lessons taught by golf teaching professionals who meet WGANJ standards and have demonstrated success as both players and teaching pros. Our pros join us in our dedication to providing women with the best golfing opportunities available in New Jersey, with an emphasis on continuing education.            

Our relationship with these pros is strong, and their support and commitment to WGANJ is integral to our success as an association. We encourage all members to work with these pros - to learn and improve your golf skills!

If you're interested in individual lessons, please contact the pros directly.

Meet Our Golf Teaching Professionals

Debbie O'Connell

Meet Debbie O'Connell. A veteran of women’s professional golf since 1991 and an award winning and highly respected LPGA Professional. With her combined expertise in golf and life coaching, Debbie has become a leading Golf Mindset Expert and Mental Game Coach.  

Debbie is a bestselling author of “Golf Positive! Live Positive!,” has a series on Audible called “Golf Positive!,” and has been featured on the Golf Channel. 

She’s currently an entrepreneur who runs corporate golf outings, is an International Keynote Speaker, conducts golf clinics and individual lessons, as well as Golf Mindset courses and programs. Debbie’s resume includes holding the prestigious position of Head Golf Professional for over 15 years.

Here are some awards that she has been given through the years:

  • Digest Magazine - Top 50 Best Women Teachers in America (2010, 2012)
  • LPGA's Top 50 Best Teachers (2008 - Current)
  • Inaugural recipient of the Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award (2007)
  • LPGA National Professional of the Year (2002)

Debbie can be reached at Debbie@debbie-oconnell.com

AJ Spicer

Coaching since 2005 with more than 15,000 lessons taught, AJ Spicer is one of New Jersey’s most experienced and trusted golf professionals.

As a PGA Member, he helps golfers of all levels improve every part of their game, including full swing, short game, putting, and on-course strategy.

His coaching style is clear, practical, and focused on helping players understand their swing, lower their scores, and enjoy the game more.

Whether you are a beginner learning the fundamentals, a competitive player looking to sharpen your scoring skills, or a golfer who wants to play with more confidence, AJ provides expert instruction built around your goals.

AJ can be reached at ajspicer@pga.com

Jeff Ward

Jeff was recently nominated a Top 50 Instructor by US Kids. He is currently the Head Golf Professional at Twin Willows Golf Course and is working through his apprenticeship to become a PGA Professional, after completing his education at William and Mary. Last year, he and his wife started the Twin Willows Golf Academy providing high-end golf and fitness instruction.

Jeff grew up locally in Montville, NJ. As a Junior and Senior, Jeff achieved the rank of All-State Golfer at Montville High School. He loves working with students of all ages and gets a sense of pride when one of his new golfers is ready to hit the course.

Jeff can be reached at jkward79@yahoo.com

Peter Busch

Pete has been with Galloping Hill Golf Course since 2010. He has been a certified PGA member for over 40 years and has served as a past board member of the New Jersey section. Pete was born and raised in Union County, NJ. He was the Head Professional for 10 years at Maplewood Country Club before taking over at Shackamaxon Country Club, where he was the Director of Golf for over 20 years.

Pete has an extensive playing career, highlighted in 2001 when he earned NJ Senior Player of the Year honors, and when he won the NJ Senior Open Championship in 2009 and the MGA Senior Open in 2012. Pete has consistently placed in the top 20 in NJ Section events and uses his playing experience to help his students. Whether you are a beginner or an accomplished player looking to fine tune your game, Pete and his teaching philosophy can help you achieve the next level.

Pete’s philosophy is to use the golf club along with your body in a simplistic and efficient manner. This will help golfers of all skill levels achieve the most out of their game. He works with his students to develop the best swing for that person. He is proficient in all areas of the short game, including specializing in the “art of putting” and is considered one of the finest putters in the area. He uses the V1 video teaching system for all his lessons along with a video analysis sent to each student. He continually sits on the NJPGA Junior Committee and has always been very influential in training for junior golfers. He coaches for the 1st Tee of Raritan Valley, the Els for Autism, plus assists Union County Special Needs in teaching children the game.

Pete can be reached at pbusch@kempersports.com

Mike Andrusin

As the teaching pro at Flanders Valley Golf Course, Mike Andrusin is the PGA Instructor in the golf teaching operation working in conjunction with Indigo Golf Partners and the Morris County Park Commission. His teaching program has evolved to include on course instruction, along with individual lessons and clinics for all populations interested in playing golf at four different county owned golf courses. Mike also gives his time to serve on the New Jersey PGA Section’s Junior Golf and Growth of the Game Committees, along with volunteering his teaching time with the New Jersey Golf Foundation to bring the game to all individuals who want to play.

Mike also coaches the Hackettstown High School co-ed golf team. The Hackettstown Tigers have won the NJAC Freedom Division Championship seven times in the last eleven seasons. Mike was chosen as the New Jersey Herald Golf Coach of the Year in 2012 and 2017. Another one of Mike's coaching endeavors involves the Flanders Valley PGA Junior League teams, where he mentors and coaches over 50 local juniors on both U13 and U17 squads during the spring and fall seasons.

The New Jersey PGA has recognized Mike's efforts, as he has been a multiple time nominee for the Youth Player Development and Player Development Award and a one-time Horton Smith Award nominee. Mike was the recipient of the 2017 NJPGA YPD Award. 

Nick Aemisegeo, PGA 

Nick has been a dedicated instructor with the Women’s Golf Association of New Jersey (WGANJ) since 2018, where he has built a strong reputation for helping players of all skill levels grow their confidence and enjoyment of the game. Through his leadership and personalized approach to instruction, Nick has successfully developed and led numerous ladies clinics that focus on fundamentals, course management, and creating a welcoming, supportive learning environment. His ability to connect with players and simplify the game has led to consistent improvement and increased participation among WGANJ members. Nick can be reached at 973-479-2325.

Carole Charbonnier 

Carole is a former professional golfer from Switzerland, born in the Congo and raised in Zambia, who played on the LPGA Tour from 1980 to 1992.

After retiring from competitive golf, Charbonnier shifted to teaching and coaching. She has worked with Morris County Parks Golf Courses and Billy Casper Golf, offering individual, group, and short-game clinics.



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