Meet Our Instructors
Dick Bierkan, PGA
Dick is returning for his 39th year at Lyman Orchards Golf Club. He has been an active member of the PGA where he is a past director of the Connecticut section. Dick has been trained by Chuck Cook, one of Golf Digest’s “Top 10 Teachers” and has attended many seminars under the guidance of Jim McLean, Hank Haney, David Leadbetter and Rick Smith.
Dick has always been a strong advocate of junior golf and he has been a key person in promoting all the junior programs including the many schools that have golf teams that play and practice at the club. We have summer junior golf camps every summer and they have a reputation of being one of the best in the state. Dick was instrumental in starting the Lyman Orchards Junior Open tournament which participates in the CT Section PGA Junior Tour.
Dick has taught men and women who have gone on to become PGA and LPGA members. He has a son John, who has gone on to become a teaching professional at Caves Valley Golf Club, outside of Baltimore.
Dick conducts clinics each year for both men and women of all levels, including free clinics in the spring for women and senior men which have become very popular. Dick enjoys teaching golfers of all abilities and will help one set up a program whereby they can have a plan for improving their golf game. Dick will work with one’s physical makeup and not just push one specific swing. There is not one perfect swing to be used for everyone. We are all different mentally and physically and Dick will help find the best swing for you in order to make the game of golf fun and enjoyable for each golfer.
Kevin J Cloud, PGA
We are happy to announce the appointment of Kevin Cloud as the Director of Instruction of the new Learning Center. Originally from Connecticut, Kevin is a class A Member of the Professional Golfers Association with a Golf Management degree and emphasis in Marketing from Mississippi State University. He has served the industry in a number of capacities, most notably as a Head Golf Professional and as Junior Tour Director in Virginia. Kevin brings us a wealth of experience from a number of top-notch facilities, including Baltimore Country Club in Maryland, Applebrook Golf Club in Pennsylvania, and Black Hall Club in Old Lyme, Connecticut. We are extremely pleased to welcome Kevin to the team at Lyman Orchards Golf Club and ask that you kindly introduce yourself as the opportunity develops.
Shaun T. Maher, PGA
We are excited to announce the appointment of Shaun Maher as our new Head Golf Professional at Lyman Orchards Golf Club. Shaun is a class A member of the Professional Golfers Association and was recently named the ‘Assistant Professional of the Year’ for the Connecticut Section in 2011.
A graduate of Methodist University Professional Golf Management program, current President of the Assistants Association, and most recently worked as an Assistant Professional at Stanley Golf Course in New Britain, Connecticut. Shaun’s extensive work experience at a number of first-class operations, TPC River Highlands, New Haven Country Club, Sawgrass Country Club, will help strengthen operations and expand our service.
We are excited to introduce Shaun as an integral member of the Lyman Orchards team. Please join us in welcoming Shaun by simply say hello and introducing yourself to him.
Sally Sohn, PGA
Sally is in her first season teaching at the Golf Academy at Lyman Orchards Golf Club. She is a graduate of North Carolina State University Professional Golf Management Program in 2008 and a Class A Member of the PGA association. Currently, Sally manages the Player Development Program for the Connecticut PGA Section office
in Rocky Hill, Connecticut.
Prior to this position, Sally was an Assistant Golf Professional during her college years at Lochmere Golf Club in Cary, NC where she gained extensive experience working with a variety of skill levels. On two occasions Sally was Runner-up at the State High School Tournament in Raleigh NC, a true testament to her playing abilities.
An experienced teacher Sally is excellent at engaging and motivating all player types. Naturally, Sally is adept at developing specific training programs for women and junior players that produce measurable results. A large part of her teaching focuses on five core elements: Golf Skills, Physical Skills (Nutrition & Fitness), Swing Assessments, Sportsmanship, and On-Course Playing experience.
If you have a question for Sally or would like to set up your next golf lesson simply e-mail her at ssohn@pgahq.com or call at 678-602-3403.
Dan Valk - 1st Assistant Golf Professional
This is Dan’s fourth season at Lyman Orchards Golf Club. He recently joined the Professional Golfers Association of American as an Apprentice and is working towards his goal of becoming a member. Previously Dan attended ‘The Golf Academy of the Carolinas’ where he studied and worked with players of various age and skill levels.
Dan displays a great deal of passion working with junior players and thrives on watching them grow both personally and professionally. He takes a sincere interest in developing improvement plans for each of his students and sharing in their success on and off the course.
Dan grew up playing every competitive sport and has done an excellent job and taking these skills and modeling them into structured improvement plans for his students. Dan is confident that his students, regardless of skill level, will be able to grow and gain more satisfaction from the game and ultimately progress to the next level under his leadership.
Lesson Rates
| PGA Professional | Rate |
| 45 Minutes | $75 |
| 1 Hour | $100 |
| Series of 5 Lessons | $300 |
| Playing Lesson | $100 |
| Junior Lesson | $50 |
| 1 Hour Couple Lesson | $100 |
Call 860.349.6031 to Sign Up
For A Private Lesson
| 1st Assistant Professional | Rate |
| 45 Minutes | $50 |
| Series of 5 Lessons | $200 |
| Junior Lesson | $40 |
| 1 Hour Couple Lesson | $75 |
Call 860.349.6031 to Sign Up
For A Private Lesson
