Game

I am passionate about the next generation.

Teaching, playing, and club fitting are the principles that started our profession. It’s who we are, and it’s what we do. Expanded career paths have kept us up with the times, but let’s never forget where we came from. I’ve spent the majority of my career helping golfers play better golf. I’m a coach at heart, and my passion lies in seeing people improve at whatever it is they do. I will bring this same enthusiasm to being a National Officer. 

Two men are standing in a sand pit on a golf course. They are both looking in the direction of a golf ball the man on the right had just hit.
E has had a massive influence on my golfing career. As my swing coach at UAB, he took me from mediocrity to the number one ranked NCAA D1 golfer and has always been there for me in my career as a professional. His genuine love and passion for this sport has always been infectious and he embodies dedication and professionalism. I am proud to know him and watch his continued impact on golf and the PGA of America.
Graeme McDowell

Instructor

While Director of Instruction at the RTJ Trail in 1997, one of my juniors signed a scholarship to play golf for Gadsden State Community College. I remember it like yesterday, and it’s still one of the most rewarding moments in my career. Since then, I have had dozens of young men and women play college golf and some have had terrific careers as professionals. Most importantly, some have gone on to become PGA Members.

Two men stand in the shade, smiling. One is dressed in a yellow jacket and Eric Eshleman stands beside him. There is a bag of golf clubs sitting in front of them.
E has been my swing coach since I was 12 years old. We’re on a great run!
Davis Thompson
PGA Tour
Over the last few years, Eric has been there as another set of eyes. He’s always willing to help me and has taken my game to the next level.
Megan Schofil
Women’s U.S. Amateur Champion
Eric Eshleman has his arm around a woman. His shirt says "USGA". The woman is looking down and both people are smiling.

Coach

On the side, I help coach the junior high and high school golf teams in our community. Our high school team will try to 4-peat as the 7A State Champions this year. We employ the 5 C’s, the ADM, and as much knowledge as we can back to our player engagement committees. Helping these coaches is an area where PGA professionals can make a lasting impact.

Eric Eshleman stands with two women on weither sied of him. Each woman has a golf club in her hand and they are all smiling.
I’ve known Eric since he was 14 years old, and we worked together for many years. He was a Head Instructor at Grand Cypress, Director of Instruction at the RTJ Trail, and now Director of Golf at the Country Club of Birmingham. Success has followed him at all these places, and he has a proven record of developing young professionals.
Fred Griffin
PGA

Promoter

As a staff, we provide over 3,000 golf lessons per year. Clinics for beginners, ladies, seniors, and juniors – we include everybody!

Eric Eshleman stands on a golf course. Many ladies are sitting in chairs in front of him. He is teaching a clinic.

We currently have 8 junior golfers from our club that are playing Division I College golf. We field 3 teams per summer for junior league, and we had 276 kids play in last year’s junior club championship.

As we talk about our association going forward for the next 100 years, it is imperative that junior golf is a centerpiece of our future. 

  • Eric Eshleman swings at a golf ball.
  • The number two hundred seventy six is displayed as golden balloons.
  • Eric's son swings at a golf ball.
  • Eric is hugging his son in the middle of a golf course.