NEPGA Profile: Gary Cardoza

Gary Cardoza grew up in Fairhaven, MA and he still resides there today at age 36. His commute to work, however, is a different story.  In December, Cardoza left Poquoy Brook GC in Lakeville where he was head professional to become Director of Instruction at the new Joe & Leigh’s Golf Performance Center on Route 138 in Easton, a solid 45-minute drive each way.  With gas prices now hovering around $3.50 per gallon, his new position certainly hasn’t been easy on the wallet, but Cardoza is not complaining because he feels he’s in the right place at the right time.  ”This is the second major decision I’ve made in my career that I’ve felt in my heart,” said Cardoza, who has been recognized as a Top 25 golf instructor in New England. “The first was when I wavered between a career with the Fairhaven Fire Dept. or in golf, and I made the right decision with golf.”  ”In golf, I always viewed a future role as a head pro, general manager, or in some other type of management capacity. But in recent years, I’ve really enjoyed giving lessons and started to seriously focus more on the teaching aspect of the business. This is something I really want to do.”  Perhaps the most crucial moment which helped steer Cardoza toward his current direction came in 2005. After serving as an assistant pro at the Country Club of Halifax and as head pro at Hawthorne CC in North Dartmouth, Cardoza worked briefly in a corporate position for Ahead Golf. But he dearly missed the personal interaction on a daily basis within a golf club. Fortunately for him, Cardoza was soon able to land at Poquoy Brook where he spent the last six years.  ”The last couple of years at Poquoy Brook really led me to pursue this position with Joe & Leigh’s,” said Cardoza. “I really enjoy watching people’s golf games grow and improve on the lesson tee.”  For Cardoza, teaching responsibilities will now be more than just a lesson tee on a practice range. Joe & Leigh’s Golf Performance Center features an integrated set of components engineered to help golfers of all skill levels get the most enjoyment from the game. There’s professional instruction, fitness, and a practice-and-play option with nearby Pine Oaks Golf Course, which is also owned by Leigh Bader. The house specialty, however, is its club-fitting menu featuring fitting evaluation, easy club fitting, performance club fitting, and Ping Nflight fitting, as well as launch monitors and video analysis.  ”The Performance Center is a broad range extension of services with the tradition and reputation of Joe & Leigh’s Discount Golf Pro Shop,” said Cardoza. “A major factor is that the center will be open year-round for in-depth instruction. Golfers can get as involved as they want to be with their game. It will enable us to do just about anything. We’re hoping that Joe & Leigh’s loyal customer base follows us there.”  ”Gary’s teaching credentials, passion for the game, and high standards, makes him a perfect fit with Joe & Leigh’s,” said Mark Petrucci, pro shop manager at Joe & Leigh’s, who is also one of four other golf professionals who will be working with Cardoza at the Performance Center. “We’re looking forward to servicing our customers with the latest upgrades in technology.”

(Bob DiCesare is the golf writer for The Enterprise in Brockton, MA, and he is also a member of the International Network of Golf)