Did you know we have a famous Golf Pro living in our midst in Esperanza Estates? We do, and Marvol Barnard is the real deal!

Marvol is the current President of the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association), is an active member of the PGA, and is the Director of Instruction at Green Valley's Haven Golf Course. She was the 2016 LPGA National Teacher of the Year, was the winner of the 2018 PGA Player Development Award, and she has been named one of the LPGA's and Golf Digest's Top 50 Best Women Teachers. With all of her fabulous achievements, Marvol is a down-to-earth, unassuming and friendly neighbor.

Marvol hasn't always been a golfer. She and her husband Sam, lived on a boat in Alaska for a number of years, and came to Green Valley part-time. She and Sam took some golf lessons at Haven Golf Course, and Marvol, at 39, found that she loved the game and just kept going (she went pro in four years). She said she sometimes has to "pinch myself." To Marvol, her success in golf is "all about the people," and she feels she can "teach anyone to play golf." She says golf is more than hitting the ball, and Marvol is a student of the mental side of golf as well. "It's like life, and you need to learn to self regulate and manage your emotions. Golf is about fun, inclusion, friends and family, and being your best self."

Marvol is working to generate more interest in golf, and is especially interested in getting young people involved in golf. Recently working with the local high school golf instructor and Green Valley ladies golf clubs, she was instrumental in helping to raise $10,000 for ladies high school golf at Sahuarita and Walden Grove High Schools. As a result of their success, they are forming a non-profit organization that will continue the work to support high school golf locally.

With her incredible successes, it seems that Marvol could be lured away from Haven Golf Course in Green Valley, but Marvol intends to stay here.  She says this is where she learned, she's comfortable here, and she loves the down-to-earth people with a friendly family atmosphere.  Check out this TV spot that Marvol did for the PGA's "Let's Get You There" campaign.

You can learn more about Marvol on her website. Marvol's story is encouraging for all of us. In the words of one of her students, "You're an inspiration to golfers everywhere, and I'm happy to count myself among those who have grown because of your patience and encouragement."  

We are fortunate to count Marvol among our Esperanza Estates neighbors!