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Meet the Coaches

David Jankowski

For me, it all started growing up as part of a golfing family in New York. Then at the age of 12, I moved to Dallas, Texas to be with my father. The two of us were fascinated with all things golf, and we shared so much passion and joy of the game together.

I was on a mission to play Division 1 golf and make the tour, but life had a different plan for me. I had to move back to New York and my dreams in the game of golf were put on hold.

While working through the electrical union apprenticeship program, I turned to skiing, surfing, wakeboarding, and snowboarding with a passion. I even owned a wakeboarding and water sports school for a number of years, and I learned my passion means sharing my joy through teaching and coaching others.

Along the way though, fate landed me a job that changed my life. When starting with a new electrical contractor, I noticed golf clubs in the truck. In my typical New York fashion I said, "you don't play golf"...

It turns out the owners were all golf nuts and the rest is history! In 2010, I took the chance of moving to Vermont to take a job at a golf course. It turns out the golf business, specifically teaching and coaching, as well as playing at the PGA level, is my calling. Over the past 3 Years I've served as Director of Instruction at Burlington Country Club, Burlington, Vermont. The passion I continue to share with people in golf has led to the founding of Golf Garage VT.

In a short span, I accomplished many amazing things. And, in 2011 I met my wife Emily and now we have two amazing children. Our life is full of all four seasons of the outdoors and sports Vermont has to offer.

Student Accomplishments
  • Multiple Vermont Junior Championships
  • Multiple Vermont Individual High School Championships (5 of the 6 years between 2015-2020)
  • Qualifier for the USGA Women's Mid Am Championship
  • Multiple collegiate athletes including Temple University, Old Dominion University, Siena College, Rutgers, and Quinnipiac
  • Vermont state amateur champions
  • USGA amateur qualifiers
Certifications
  • PGA of America Certified Professional - Teaching and Coaching
  • Trackman Level 2
  • Boditrak pressure mapping system
  • Science and Motion sports - Sam Putt lab
  • American Developmental Model
Professional Highlights
  • 2021-2022 Golf Digest Best in State Teacher
  • 2019 & 2022 Vermont PGA Teacher of the Year
  • 2015, 2023 & 2024 Vermont PGA Player of the Year
  • 5-time Stroke Play Champion
  • 6-time PGA professional Championship qualifier
  • 2024 - 2025 Golf Digest #1 Teacher in Vermont
  • 2024 PGA of America - New England section Teacher of the Year

Kellen Peery

Lead Instructor – The Golf Garage VT, South Burlington
2024 Vermont PGA Teacher of the Year | Class A PGA Professional

Driven by a lifelong passion for the game, Kellen Peery is a dedicated coach with a modern, player-first approach to instruction. Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Kellen graduated from North Carolina State University with a B.S. in Professional Golf Management and has built his career around helping golfers of all levels improve through personalized coaching and technology-driven insights.

Certifications & Credentials:

  • Class A PGA Professional (since 2017)
  • 2024 Vermont PGA Teacher of the Year
  • 2026-2027 Golf Digest's Best Teachers In Every State
  • B.S. – Professional Golf Management, NC State University
  • TrackMan Level 1 Certified
  • U.S. Kids Golf Certified Coach
  • PGA Jr. League Coach
  • ADM (American Development Model) Certified

Playing Accomplishments:

  • Winner – 2017 Bath County Open
  • Winner – 2017 NCSU PGM 2-Man Spring Match Play
  • Winner – 2016 Homestead Caddy Tournament
  • Lowest Career Round: 65
  • Lowest Tournament Round: 68

Specialties:

  • Full Swing Development
  • Club Fitting & Equipment Optimization
  • Junior Golf Development
  • Coaching Beginners to Advanced Players

Coaching Philosophy:
Keep it simple, use the tools that matter, and coach the person in front of you. I believe every golfer is different—and so is every golf swing. My goal is to help players improve by blending modern swing techniques with personalized solutions, using tools like TrackMan to make progress measurable, efficient, and lasting.

Jim LeClair

Head Golf Professional at Golf Garage NH

Jim LeClair is a dedicated golf professional with over a decade of experience in the golf industry, currently serving as the Head Golf Professional at Golf Garage. Jim specializes in personalized lessons and clinics designed to enhance players' skills and deepen their understanding of the golf swing and the game itself.

Prior to Jim's current role, he was the Head Golf Professional at Lake Morey Country Club, managing daily operations, tournament management, and member services. He also played a role at The Quechee Club, where he ran the junior golf program, fostering a love for the game among young players.

As the Vermont Operations Manager for the New England PGA, he successfully coordinated chapter events and junior tours, demonstrating strong leadership and developing valuable partnerships within the golfing community.

A graduate of Gettysburg University with a BA in Business Management, Jim was the captain of the university’s golf team and earned a four-year varsity letter. His commitment to mentoring young golfers was further exemplified through his role as a developmental golf coach at the Rivendell School, where he instilled principles of sportsmanship and etiquette.

With certifications in club fitting and a passion for creating engaging learning environments, Jim is dedicated to enhancing the golfing experience for players of all levels. He looks forward to seeing you soon!

Sam Holden

Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, Sam found his way to Vermont in October of 2023 when he and his now fiancée decided to move north. Having traveled and lived across the country, Sam believes Vermont is one of the most special places there is, especially when it comes to golf. The state’s golf culture is truly its own, full of passion and character, and it’s that passion that drove Sam to joining Golf Garage.

Sam has a decorated amateur career with wins at the junior, high school, and adult levels across both the Carolinas and Vermont golf associations. He is a Level 1 PGA Associate and currently serves as the Tournament Director for the Vermont Chapter of the PGA of America in addition to his role as Assistant Professional with Golf Garage. During Vermont’s outdoor golf season, Sam runs events such as Pro-Ams and Championships for professionals across the state.

Before joining Golf Garage, Sam worked as an analyst and consultant for natural resource agencies, developing online and mapping tools used in field operations nationwide. He brings that same analytical mindset to Golf Garage’s data-driven approach to game improvement, helping his players connect numbers and technology to real results.

As a coach, Sam works primarily with beginners and those new to the game. His philosophy is simple: golf is best learned from the green backward, and the game itself doesn’t have to be complicated to be fun.

Off the course, Sam enjoys watching golf, football, and soccer. Since moving to Vermont, he’s taken up cross-country skiing—though he admits his golf game is still far more impressive.