Claire is a Class A member of the PGA.  She has
been instructing golf since 1987 and served as the
head women's golf coach at the University of Toledo
(OH) for nine seasons.
Top 50 Golf Instructors
Claire's knowledge and ability
to develop golf skills has been
recognized by Golf For Women
magazine.  In 2002, Claire was
named one of the top 50
women teaching professionals
in the United States.
Claire played collegiate golf at Bowling Green State
University (OH).  She competed professionally on
the Florida Mini Tours where she won the 1994
Central Florida Team Championship.  Claire also
competed in the 1993 LPGA Jamie Farr Kroger
Classic.  In 2004, Claire was inducted into the city of
Lorain (OH) Sports Hall of Fame.
Claire's goal is to make your swing work for
you with as little change as possible.  She
has found that communication, knowledge
and patience are the formula to a faster
success rate.  She will put her proven golf
instruction skills to work for you.
Van Brandt
Assistant PGA Teaching Professional
Van is a Class A member of the PGA.  He
has been instructing golf since 1989,
providing students of all ages and skill levels
with a quality learning experience to assist
them in having more fun playing golf.  He
has served as the Head Golf Professional at
Mohawk Golf Club (Tiffin, OH) from
1996-2002 and most recently served in the
same role at Stone Ridge Golf Club (Bowling
Green, OH).

Van played collegiate golf at the University
of Toledo.  In his senior year, he served as
captain of the golf team and achieved All
Mid-American Conference honors.  After
college, he participated in the PGA Winter Tour in Florida for two seasons while
pursuing his PGA accreditation.  Van has qualified for the National PGA Club
Professional Championship, the Nike Cleveland Open and continues to compete in
events sponsored by the Northern Ohio PGA.

Van has been very active in junior and college golf.  He has served as an assistant
coach at the University of Toledo and Heidelberg College.  He has also given his
time to assist various high school programs in the surrounding area.
We will make YOUR swing work for you.
Copyright ©2005 Claire Batista Golf Academy
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Helene Thoman
Assistant PGA Teaching Professional
Helene Thoman has been a golf instructor for two
years since her graduation from the University of
Toledo in 2004 at two popular clubs, The
Inverness Club in Toledo, OH and Lake Nona
Golf and Country Club in Orlando, FL.  She
enjoys teaching students of all skill levels and
strives to make your swing work for you.  Her
patience and communicative skills will ensure
your comfort and understanding of the game.

She played collegiate golf for two years at
Stetson University in DeLand, FL as well as two
years for University of Toledo and graduated as
an Academic All-American.