Welcome to Tim Karels's Blog

A native of Clear Lake, South Dakota, Drew has devoted over a decade to advancing golf coaching across South Dakota and the Midwest. As a PGA Member since 2019, he has served as the PGA Director of Player Development for GreatLIFE Golf and Fitness in Sioux Falls, where he leads instructional programming tailored for all ages and ability levels. 

Drew has been an integral part of the South Dakota golf scene since 2015. A 2011 graduate of Derek High School, he was a dedicated six-year member of the cardinal golf team before furthering his golf career at Augustana University (2011-2015). During his time there, he was a four-year letter winner, earning All-NSIC Conference Honors twice and Academic All-Conference honors for three seasons. Drew was also part of three Augustana men's golf teams that set records still standing today. 

After earning his degree in Business from Augustana, Drew began his professional career at The Falls at Grand Falls Resort. His competitive playing career included multiple events on the Dakotas Tour as well as participation at the PGA Section level. 

In 2019, Drew joined GreatLIFE Golf and Fitness as an Assistant Professional at Willow Run. By 2021, he took a significant step in player development by founding the GreatLIFE Golf Academy at Willow Run.

Recognized as one of the region’s leading instructors, Drew, a dedicated PGA member, was honored as the PGA Dakota Chapter Teacher of the Year in both 2023 and 2024. This accolade reflects his commitment to player development and coaching excellence across all levels. His expertise in golf coaching encompasses programming development, golf swing biomechanics, and speed training, enabling him to blend data-driven insights with practical, on-course performance strategies.

· GreatLIFE Golf Academy – Founded in 2021; provides year-round training to over 400+ golfers annually.

· GreatLIFE Junior Golf Tour – Founded in 2019; hosts 10 events annually with 50-70 junior participants.

· PGA Junior League Teams – Coaching Willow Run teams since 2020.

· College Coaching – Assistant Coach, Augustana University Men’s Golf (2015–2016).

Drew's coaching philosophy has been shaped by some of the game’s top modern instructors, including George Gankas, Kyle Morris, Alex Riggs, and Cameron McCormick. Their influence, combined with Drew’s analytical approach, supports a teaching style that is detailed, adaptive, and focused on measurable improvement in player development.

As a Master Club Fitter, Drew has personally fitted more than 1,000 players. At Iron Range Golf Performance, he leads the club fitting program, helping golfers unlock better performance through optimizing their equipment.

· PGA Member and Dakota Chapter Teacher of the Year: 2023 & 2024

· PGA Assistants Championship National Finalist: 2018

· Multiple Top-10 Finishes on the Dakotas Tour, showcasing my commitment to player development through golf coaching.

· Titleist Master Club Fitter

Drew is a dedicated student of the game, always eager to expand his knowledge and passion for golf. As a PGA member, he focuses on golf coaching, guiding junior golfers, mentoring college athletes, and supporting community programs. His goal is to enhance player development, helping every athlete grow both on and off the course. 

When he’s not coaching, Drew enjoys spending quality time with his wife Samantha and their three sons Kayson, Trigg, and Tyce.

For inquiries about golf coaching and player development, feel free to reach out to me at Drew@IronRangeGolf.com. As a PGA member, I'm dedicated to helping you improve your game.