CHRIS GUMBACH, PGA: head golf professional

[email protected]

Chris Gumbach, has been part of the RFCC golf staff for over 30 years. Starting in 1994, as an Assistant Golf Professional and then promoted to Head Golf Professional in 2006. Chris was elected into PGA membership in 1997 and has been very active within the Illinois PGA, National PGA and the community. Chris served on the IL PGA Board of Directors from 2008 to 2016 and was Section President in 2013-2014.

He has won numerous Section tournaments over the years and qualified for the 2009 PGA National Championship. One distinction Chris has is that he is the only IL PGA Section Professional in history that has won both the IL PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Award (1999) & the Golf Professional of the Year Award (2018). In 2019, Chris was invited to become a supervisor at The Masters and enjoys sharing his experiences of the tournament and Augusta National with the RFCC membership.

Lastly, and possibly his biggest contribution to the game and community, Chris co-founded Birdies for Charity in 2011. Birdies for Charity is a one day fundraiser consisting of 40 local professionals playing up to 90 holes at River Forest. In our first 10 years, we have been able to raise over 2 million dollars for local charities such as Lurie's Children's Hospital, JDRF, Ronald McDonald House, IL PGA Foundation and our own RFCC Educational Foundation.

 

SEAN REA, PGA: Director of instruction

srea@riverforestcc.org

Sean has been a member of the RFCC golf staff since 2018 and was elected to PGA membership in 2017. Originally from Chicago Heights, IL, Sean is a graduate of the PGA golf management program at Eastern Kentucky University. Since joining RFCC, Sean has been named the 2021 IL PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year, has been nominated for Golf Digest Best in State Teachers (2023-2025) and Best Young Teachers (2023-2025). Sean currently sits on the IL PGA Teaching & Coaching committee. Using skill assessment via Trackman and other technology, Sean will be able to design a detailed roadmap to optimize performance in your game. His goal is to help you understand your game better.

Kevin Havens, PGA: Lead assistant

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Kevin has been a member of the RFCC golf staff since 2024 and was elected to PGA membership in 2018. He graduated from Ferris State University with a Bachelor of Science degree and was a part of the Professional Golf Management program. Kevin’s combination of enthusiasm and knowledge can help all golfers play better!

Dominic Leli: Associate Assistant 

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Dominic “Dom” has been a member of the RFCC golf staff since 2022 and graduated from Loras College in May of 2023. Dom has enrolled in the PGA of America Associates program. He is currently nearing completion of the Level 1 requirements on his way to full Class A membership. Dom held the number one position on the Men’s Loras golf team and also has worked at Bull Valley CC and The Grove CC. Dom is a very capable golfer, who has the ability to help anyone!

Jason Gamez: Associate ASSISTANT

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Jason has been a member of the RFCC golf staff since 2022 and graduated from Elmhurst University in May of 2024. He played on the Elmhurst University golf team all four years. Jason has enrolled in the PGA of America Associates program and is on his way to full Class A membership. Jason has quickly developed into a fine instructor for golfers at all levels!

Pete Latkiewicz, PGA: starter

Pete Latkiewicz will be returning for the 2024 season, on a part-time basis, as our starter. River Forest CC was fortunate to have Pete spend 6 years here as an Assistant Golf Professional. Prior to working at RFCC, Pete was the PGA Head Golf Professional at Aurora Country Club and Rochelle Country Club and is now a PGA Life Member.