Our Instructors
Tom Cavicchi, PGA Director of Instruction
Tom Cavicchi, Director of Golf at Velocity Golf Academy @ The Harmon Golf in Rockland, MA, has been a PGA Professional since 1979 and is recognized as one of New England’s most respected instructors.
After earning Division II All-American honors at Rollins College in 1969, Cavicchi began his career at South Shore CC (1973), then held positions at top clubs across Massachusetts, New York, and Texas—including Oak Hill CC, Brae Burn CC, River Oaks CC, and The Falls GCC. He returned to Massachusetts in 1986, spending eight years at Oyster Harbors Club before becoming Head Golf Professional at Wollaston GC in 1994. He was named NEPGA Teacher of the Year in 1995.
In 2001, Cavicchi played a pivotal role in developing Harmon Golf, which quickly became a premier facility for top-tier instruction. He built a staff of elite teachers and was recognized with back-to-back NEPGA Professional Development Awards in 2006 and 2007. He has served on the NEPGA Education Committee since 2011 and has organized numerous coaching and teaching summits since 2008.
Throughout his career, Cavicchi has taught golfers of all skill levels—from beginners to PGA Tour professionals. His ability to simplify the game, tailor instruction to the individual, and inspire long-term improvement has made him one of the most sought-after coaches in the region. Many of New England’s top players and instructors have trained under his guidance.
In 2021, Tom Cavicchi was inducted into the NEPGA Hall of Fame, honoring his lasting impact on the game and the PGA community.
T.J. Valentine, PGA Senior Teaching Professional
With over 25 years of teaching experience, T.J. brings an unmatched level of expertise and knowledge that can elevate any golfer’s performance. His ability to communicate complex concepts in a clear, efficient, and engaging way creates a positive and enjoyable coaching environment, building a foundation for lasting improvement in this great game.
T.J. works with golfers of all skill levels, from beginners to touring professionals, recognizing that every player has a unique golf DNA. He customizes his instruction to help each individual maximize their strengths and reach their full potential. His popular YouTube channel further highlights his exceptional teaching and communication skills, delivering valuable insights and lessons to a global audience.
A 1999 graduate of Bryant University with a degree in Marketing, T.J. combined his strong golf background with four years of collegiate baseball, developing a deep understanding of athletic performance and the biomechanics of sport. He began his teaching career in the late 1990s at Stow Acres Country Club, continued at Pinehills Golf Club in 2001, and has been at The Harmon Club since 2008.
T.J.’s playing ability and competitive drive have been demonstrated through multiple professional victories and his selection to compete on The Golf Channel’s hit series The Big Break IV in 2005. He has also been featured on Golf with Style, The Grey Goose 19th Hole, and in various golf publications.
- Longtime member of the PGA of America
- Recipient of the 2020 NEPGA Mass Chapter Youth Development Award
- Named one of the Top Teachers in Massachusetts by Golf Digest
- Recognized among the Top Teachers in New England by New England Golf Monthly
Greg MacKay Director Of Club Fitting
Gregory MacKay brings over a decade of expertise in custom club fitting and golf instruction to his role as Director of Club Fitting at Velocity Golf Academy. Since stepping into this role in 2022, Greg has continued to elevate the fitting experience with a precision-driven, player-focused approach. His leadership previously helped earn his former facility national recognition as one of Golf Digest’s and Callaway’s Top 100 Clubfitters in America, and in 2023, Greg himself was named a Ping “Power Fitter” for his excellence in performance-based fittings.
Born and raised on Nantucket Island, Greg has been immersed in golf from an early age. A National High School All-American, he went on to compete at Bryant and Lynn Universities—both highly competitive Division II programs. His curiosity for club fitting began with an internship at FuZion Golf in Jupiter, FL, one of the country’s first dedicated custom fitting and building studios.
Following his professional playing career on the Minor League Tour from 2010–2016, Greg returned to the Northeast and trained under two of the game’s most respected figures: Jane Frost, PGA/LPGA, and Bob Quirk, PGA. It was under Quirk—a nationally recognized Top 100 fitter—that Greg honed the skills that now define his fitting philosophy.
Before joining Velocity Golf Academy, Greg spent over five years teaching and fitting at prestigious private clubs including Wollaston Golf Club and Duxbury Yacht Club. He is a Callaway Master Fitting Professional, a member of the Callaway National Fitters Board, and brings a brand-agnostic approach to his fittings—working with all major club and shaft manufacturers including Titleist, TaylorMade, Ping, Srixon, Cobra, Fujikura, Graphite Design, and Mitsubishi Chemical.
Greg’s ultimate goal is to ensure every golfer walks away with equipment that complements their swing, improves their game, and boosts their confidence.
Brian Spitz, PGA
Brian Spitz, a South Shore golf pro, grew up in Norwell, MA and now lives in Weymouth, MA. Brian graduated from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Georgia earning an Associates Degree in Turfgrass Management and Valdosta State University in Georgia earning a Business Management Degree where he also earned All American Honors and was Captain of the Men’s Golf Team.
In 1993, this passion for golf translated into playing golf professionally and then starting in the business side of golf. He started in the golf business working in the Metropolitan Section and was there for 5 years developing his skills as a professional, teacher and a player.
Since 2000, he has worked in the New England Section at Plymouth CC, Black Rock CC, CityGolf Boston, Golfsmith, and GolfTEC. In 2002, he earned his membership into the PGA of America. He was named the NEPGA Assistant Golf Professional Player of the Year in 2000.
Brian has competed in a USGA Senior US Open, 5 PGA National Championships, an Assistant National Championship, won numerous NEPGA events, holds two course records and has three hole in ones. Overall, Brian enjoys coaching, teaching, and learning the game of golf, and he uses his playing and teaching experiences to help people play their best golf.
Tim Merrill, PGA
With nearly 30 years of experience in the golf industry and Class A PGA of America membership since 2007, Tim has built a distinguished career at some of New England’s most prestigious clubs. His professional journey includes positions at Mt. Pleasant Country Club (2000–2004), Manchester Country Club (2007–2008), Tedesco Country Club (2009–2015), and the historic Myopia Hunt Club (2019), a club consistently ranked among the Top 100 in the country and host of five U.S. Opens. Additionally, he served as Head Golf Professional at Campbell’s Scottish Highlands (2005–2006) and Newton Commonwealth (2025), where he successfully developed and implemented instructional programs for players of all abilities.
His time with Titleist (2015–2017) and Pure Drive Golf (2017–2018) in Woburn allowed him to specialize in professional club fitting, combining his instructional expertise with advanced fitting techniques to help golfers understand how properly fit equipment can transform their ball flight and overall performance.
Driven by a deep passion for golf instruction, Tim believes that no two swings are alike and tailors his coaching to each individual through clear, simple, and relatable concepts. By integrating advanced technologies such as TrackMan, FlightScope, and V1 Coach for swing analysis, he provides students with valuable insight into their swing mechanics, empowering them to make meaningful improvements. Above all, Tim prioritizes open and consistent communication, supporting each player’s journey toward better golf.
He enjoys working with golfers of all abilities and looks forward to helping each student achieve their goals and play their best golf.