CHRIS GUMBACH, PGA:

[email protected]

Chris Gumbach, has been part of the RFCC golf staff for the past 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:

srea@riverforestcc.org

Sean is in his seventh year at RFCC and was elected into PGA membership in 2017. Sean graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Business Marketing and was also a part of the Professional Golf Management program. Sean has worked at some very prestigious clubs in his career including the Maroon Creek Club (Aspen, CO) and The Golf Club at Black Rock (Coeur d' Alene, ID). Sean is our Director of Instruction at RFCC, he also works closely on the ladies and junior programs, all day-to-day operations, tournaments and events. 

Kevin Havens, PGA:

[email protected]

 

Kevin grew up in the metro Detroit area. He attended Ferris State University and was enrolled in their Professional Golf Management program. Kevin would go on to graduate in 2018 with a bachelor's degree and be elected to PGA membership. He then moved to Chicago and has been an Illinois PGA member since. After working at Itasca CC for 2 years, he moved on to Crystal Tree CC in Orland Park where he spent 4 years as their first assistant. Kevin's new role is Lead Assistant and is excited to join the RFCC team!

Dominic Leli, Assistant Golf Professional: 

[email protected]

 

Dominic Leli "Dom" was born and raised in Crystal Lake, IL and attended Prairie Ridge High School. After graduation, Dom attended Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa studying public relations. He played all four years on the golf team and was named Captain of the team his sophmore year! Dom become part of the RFCC golf staff in 2022 as a summer intern. Upon graduating from Loras in May of 2023, Dom became a full time Assistant Professional at RFCC and has enrolled into the PGA of America associate program working towards full PGA membership.

Jason Gamez, ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL:

[email protected]

 

Jason was born in Chicago and was raised in Mount Prospect, IL and attended Elk Grove High School. After graduation, Jason attended Elmhurst University in Elmhurst, IL studying physical education. He played all four years on the golf team! Jason became part of the RFCC golf staff in 2022 as a summer intern. Upon graduating from Elmhurst in May of 2024, Jason has become a full time Assistant Professional at RFCC and will be enrolling into the PGA of America associate program working towards full PGA membership very soon.

Pete Latkiewicz, 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.

Maggie Bryk, Golf Shop Assistant

Mia Koenesberger, Golf Shop Assistant

Mia grew up in Elmhurst, IL and is going to be a Senior at York High School this fall. She is currently on the girls' golf and badminton teams. Mia actually went to the State finals for badminton this year and placed 8th! She was also on the girls basketball team until this season. Mia is an avid golfer and her family are members at Butterfield CC. Mia is starting her second season as part of the RFCC golf staff.