Donald’s Bio
Donald’s BIO
Elevate your game to a higher level at a world-famous hideaway like The Boulders, repeatedly honored with Golf Magazine’s Platinum Award, you’d expect to find a golf academy that lives up to the resort’s legendary reputation. You’d be right.
The Boulders Golf Academy features Donald Crawley, a Class A member of both the British and United States PGA. Ranked by Golf Magazine as one of the Top 100 Teachers in America, he is also recognized by Golf Digest as one of the Best Teachers in Arizona and twice a PGA Teacher of the Year. Crawley’s “Golf Simplified” system of simple and practical hands-on instruction is combined with digital video analysis and on-course playing lessons, all personalized to the golfer’s individual needs. The GolfSimplified Executive staff are talented PGA and LPGA instructors, personally trained by Donald.
Donald Crawley
President & CEO GolfSimplified, Inc
Director of the Boulders Golf Academy
TOP 100 Teacher in America – as recognized by GOLF Magazine
Best Teachers in State of Arizona – as recognized by Golf Digest
PGA Teacher of the Year 2002 and 2005 in Southwest PGA Section
Horton Smith Award 2000 in Southwest PGA Section
British PGA Trainee of the Year 1978
PGA member United States and British PGA
40 years teaching experience of all levels
20 years as Director of Instruction John Jacobs’ Golf Schools
Established the Greenbrier Sam Snead Academy and the Boulders Golf Academy
Architectural design and construction of nine Golf Learning Centers
Donald’s Personal Story
Originating from Harrogate, Yorkshire, England, Donald started his professional career a few days short of his sixteenth birthday. Enrolling in a golf professional apprenticeship he learned to build and repair golf clubs, the old fashioned way, before clubs were cast out of molds.
As an assistant golf professional working for John Jacobs O.B.E, the European Ryder Cub captain, Donald’s passion to learn and teach golf was soon noticed. Following some success as the PGA Trainee of the Year and winning the Assistants Golf Championship, Mr. Jacobs offered Donald a short term assignment as an instructor on the John Jacobs Golf Schools in the United States. That was April 1980, and Donald never returned to his native land.
Following teaching stints at private golf clubs Exmoor on the north shore of Chicago, and The Country Club of Florida, Boynton Beach, Donald played The South American Tour and as a touring playing professional across the United States.
By 1983 Donald had become the lead instructor for the Jacob’s Schools and the first full time employee. The golf boom carried the Jacobs’ Schools to the forefront, and by 1988 Donald was Vice President and Director of Instruction. Taking Mr. Jacobs’ swing principles and turning them in to a teaching system to be taught at 42 locations across the country as far wide as China and Europe, by over 200 PGA and LPGA certified instructors, was no small feat. Donald continued to manage the quality control, day-to-day operations, and new business development until the slowing and over supply of the golf school business in 1999.
He then turned back to teaching full time and in 2003 established GolfSimplified Inc. and The Boulders Golf Academy at the internationally acclaimed resort, The Boulders Resort and Golden Door Spa. Donald recently accepted the teaching position at the prestigous North Shore C.C, Glenview, Illinois.
Along the way Donald acquired three PGA awards, The Horton Smith Award for education and two Teacher of the Year awards. Since 1995 GOLF Magazine has recognized Donald as one of the TOP 100 Teachers in America, and Golf Digest as Best Teachers in the State. He has been featured in several video instruction series and is a contribuitng editor in GOLF magazine, Sportsnetwork.com, PGA Best Teaching, Boulders Blog and multiple websites.
Donald travels with his executive staff of GolfSimplified Inc. to various States, several times each year, conducting private or corporate golf schools. However, October through May each year, he can be found teaching at the Boulders Resort and Spa. He resides in Scottsdale with his wife Theresa and their three sons Graham, Xavier, and Nigel.