Valparaiso University men’s golf coach Dave Gring has announced the addition of veteran golf instructor, coach and teacher Ron Gring to the team’s coaching staff as an assistant. Ron Gring, an accomplished professional golfer during his playing career, brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience and numerous accomplishments and accolades to his role on Valpo’s staff.

Ron Gring has been named to Golf Magazine’s list of the Top 100 Teachers every year since 2003 and has been honored with Golf Digest’s Best in State in Alabama and Arizona every year since 2001.

“This is an exciting time for our golf program and the addition of Coach Ron Gring to our coaching staff is a big step forward,” Dave Gring said. “The playing experience and teaching component that he brings to our team is astounding when you consider all that he has accomplished over the past 40 years. Coach Ron has played on tours with professionals that we watch today on TV; he has coached some of the best amateurs and touring professionals in the world; he played his college golf here in the Midwest; he has mentored and encouraged young junior golfers all the way to seniors who have played for decades.”

Ron Gring currently serves as the Director of Instruction at Terravita Golf and Country Club in Scottsdale, Ariz. He played in the American mini-tours, Asian Tour and South American Golf Tour from 1978-1985 before serving as an Assistant Golf Professional at the Lakewood Golf Club from 1985-1990. He attempted to qualify for the PGA Tour 11 times and missed by only one shot in 1981.

The newest member of the Valpo coaching staff has racked up countless accolades during his career. He won the Gulf Coast Chapter, Dixie Section PGA Championship in 1989, won the Dixie Section Player of the Year Award in 1991 and was named the Gulf Coast Chapter Player of the Year in both 1990 and 1991. He also took home the Gulf Coast Chapter Teacher of the Year in 1991 and the Dixie Section PGA Teacher of the Year in 1991, 1996 and 2003.

“With the versatility and accessibility to technology these days, we can take quality swing videos of our players on the range or indoor facility, analyze those through various apps and programs and communicate them very efficiently to our players,” Dave Gring said. “We are able to share that information among coaches and track the progress of our players over time. Additionally, Coach Ron is extremely personable and an amazing communicator, hence his Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher accolades for over 15 years. He is very effective at addressing and communicating swing mechanics and swing thoughts to our players on many different levels.”

Ron Gring has also served as the Owner/Initial Partner of Gring Golf, LLC (1999-2014), the Director of Instruction at Pronghorn Resort in Bend, Oregon (2014) and the Director of Golf for Capital Canyon Club in Prescott, Ariz. (2015-2018). He is one of only 13 doctorate level instructors of Homer Kelly’s – The Golfing Machine. In addition, Ron Gring has trained and coached PGA Tour Players Joe Durant, Brad Faxon, Kenny Perry and Jerry Pate along with Walker Cup Team Member and SEC Athlete of the Year Hunter Stewart.

“We have had players come through our program that have turned pro like Coach Ron,” Dave Gring said. “All of our golf alumni and current players have a deep desire to consistently improve their game each year, grow as better students, players and people, and thoroughly enjoy their college experience. Coach Ron will help our players achieve all of these goals and make the process and experience for them more than gratifying.”

The addition to the program is particularly exciting for the Crusader head coach, who will have the chance to watch his players receive instruction from someone who made an impact on him at a young age.

“I've had the opportunity to work with Coach Ron on my swing and golf career since I started playing junior golf,” Dave Gring said. “The travels, tournaments and all of the special times together have been an absolute joy for me. The two of us now have a unique opportunity to share these times and create new memories with our team - that will be a lot of fun. It's an honor and a privilege to join arms with my first cousin and continue to build an awesome golf program at Valpo.”