About Rick Sopka
2014-Present West Central Chapter PGA President
2010 North Florida Section PGA Teacher of The Year
2010 West Central Chapter PGA Teacher of The Year
Kyle Shealy Wins Phil Mickelson Award as Most Outstanding Freshman in Nation
A native of Tampa Florida, Rick Sopka has been a PGA Professional since 1997. Rick started playing golf at the age of 10, and by 12 years old he was competing in junior tournaments across the state of Florida. Rick played golf in High School and received a scholarship to play in college. When Rick turned Professional in 1991, he began playing Florida mini tours and PGA Section events. Since that time he has won several North Florida Section and West Central Chapter sanctioned tournaments. Rick has competed in two National Club Professional Championships and played on three North Florida Section Cup Teams.
Prior to coming to Mangrove Bay, Rick began teaching professionally at Ben Sutton Golf School in Sun City Center, Florida for seven years. He has always been a student of the game, but the time spent at the Ben Sutton Golf School ignited his passion for teaching. Through the use of video and the software system V1, Rick can really break down a golf swing and covey an analysis to a student much faster than traditional methods. This software combined with Rick’s natural ability to teach translates to faster my more precise results.
Rick teaches hundreds of students a year ranging from beginners, to High School and College players, including some touring professionals. He has been a licensed V1 Coaching System Instructor for twelve years and a PGA Teaching Professional at Mangrove Bay Golf Course since August of 2008.
