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Meet the Member: Alan Hodde, PGA
Alan Hodde, PGA – Teacher, Mentor, and Captain
Alan Hodde, PGA Director of Instruction at Axis Golf Academy & Fitting Center, was born and raised in Southern Texas. Growing up in Brenham, Texas, golf was not a major interest to the town. Alan, inspired by his mother and father who owned a family business, had a strong work ethic instilled in him at a young age. Alan would later move to Houston, and began working at The Woodlands Country Club in 2009 as an Assistant Professional. He would then be elected as a PGA of America Member in 2013.
Throughout working as an Assistant Professional for six years, Alan would realize that he wanted to pursue Teaching as his career. The Hodde family tree had a branch that grew a reputable name in Teaching within Southern Texas. The late Art Hodde, a Texas Golf Hall of Fame Inductee, was a Southern Texas PGA Member for over 40 years and was the recipient of multiple awards during his tenure. Art was Alan’s cousin and Alan would have big shoes to fill.
Alan was fortunate enough to work under Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher Kevin Kirk, “Kevin always challenged me to ask questions and I am so fortunate to have worked with him for so many years.” Alan also had the chance to work alongside Dick Harmon, “A lot of the lessons I learned from Dick I didn’t know were lessons till much later in life.” he said with a smile.
He helped establish The Woodlands Golf Performance Center, where he integrated club fitting into his instructional philosophy, earning recognition from Golf Digest’s "America’s Best Clubfitters" and Ping’s "Top 100 Clubfitters".
In 2016, Alan would partner up with a couple of reputable names in the Southern Texas community; Ben Willman, PGA and Eujone “EJ” Kim, PGA to develop and start Axis Golf Academy & Fitting Center. Together they would create a top of the line training program to develop the current and next generation of golfers.
“Without Ben and EJ, I don’t know where I would be. We push each other and have questions for one another that benefits us all and we grow together. It is an open atmosphere and we are just always learning from each other. We don’t have any walls between bays so everyone can see what’s going on and offer up help to anyone. The team we have is incredible with Ben, EJ, Shaun, and Casey, so we have a lot of experience and help whenever we need it.”
Recognized for his dedication, Alan was named the 2019 Southern Texas PGA Harvey Penick Teacher of the Year and awarded the 2023 Southern Texas PGA Professional Development Award.
“We have so many great golf professionals in our Section. I would recommend for anyone to go and hang out with your fellow Members just to learn and pick their brain. We are so welcoming here in Southern Texas and doors are always open. Someone opened the door for them and they are willing to open their door for you.”
It is an honor to have Alan lead Team STPGA at the 2024 Levy Cup Matches. He will bring his drive and motivation to our incredible roster who are looking to reclaim the cup and win on home turf.
“Even though we all know each other and are friends, these guys are used to competing against each other at all of our events. We have been more interactive and getting these guys to get more comfortable as a team. It has been incredibly fun and we are looking forward to it.”
Alongside Alan will be Chuck Cook, PGA, representing as the Vice Captain, Chuck brings a plethora of experience and with two rookies on the team he will prove as a great benefit and incredible addition to the team.
“Chuck has been in team rooms at Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups, so to have him here and bring that experience is great because for us these events are our Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup. This team has had great energy and we have been working together for some strategies and camaraderie.”
Alan brings leadership and experience to everything he does. He has been a great voice within the Southern Texas PGA for many years and many more years to come.
