Dayton, OH – Chris Yoder, PGA Director of Youth Player Development at Scioto Country Club
has been invited to join the coaching staff for Team Ohio. Yoder brings a considerable amount
of coaching experience to Team Ohio. Before joining Scioto’s staff, Yoder was an assistant
coach for The Ohio State University’s men’s golf team. He was also an assistant coach at his
alma mater, Wake Forest University, under legendary college golf coach Jerry Haas. During his
time at Wake Forest, Yoder coached Webb Simpson, the 2012 U.S Open Champion, and Bill
Haas, the 2011 FedEx Cup Champion.
Yoder has built the junior program at Scioto Country Club with a team coaching philosophy.
The innovative and holistic approach to developing junior golfers has drawn significant interest
and engagement. Key features of the Scioto Junior Program go beyond instruction including
Drive Chip and Putt preparation, PGA Junior League, on course play, tournament travel
support including onsite coaching, fun team trips and team fitness workouts along with mental
coaching. The program fosters high-level competition with Junior Ryder Cup events against
prestigious clubs such as Atlanta Athletic Club, The Country Club of Birmingham, Oakmont
Country Club and Canterbury Golf Club.
Yoder, the 2022 Southern Ohio PGA Teacher and Coach of the Year and 2024 Youth Player
Development Award winner, also served as a Captain for Team SOPGA at the 2024 Junior Ohio
Cup. In 2021, Yoder coached both the Ohio Amateur Champion, Max Watson, and the Ohio
Junior Champion, Tyler Sabo in the same season.
“I grew up playing junior golf all over the state of Ohio and I am honored to be selected to
coach Team Ohio alongside Hall of Fame Coach Therese Hession,” noted Yoder. “I am excited
for the opportunity to coach and mentor young junior golfers representing the great state of
Ohio. I had an incredible youth golf experience created by my pga professional and my goal is
to give this great game back to today’s youth by creating fun competition and experiences
along with long lasting memories and friendships. Junior Golf Is The Best!”
Team Ohio is incredibly excited to see Yoder’s teaching style in action with the other
experienced instructors and coaches on the staff. Team Captain Therese Hession is extremely
familiar with Yoder’s abilities and knows that he will be a massive asset for the development
Program.
Ohio was selected as a pilot state for the United States National Development Program. Aimed
at identifying the top junior golf talent in the state, Team Ohio provides a player pathway to
progress to the national level without having to travel outside the Buckeye State.
To learn more about how this program operates within Ohio, click here to view the Ohio Junior Series website.