Meet the team

Mike Maggs

Partner | Academy Director

Mike is Co-Owner and Director of Instruction for the Southern California Golf Academy.  A disciple of Jim McLean’s, Mike previously served as an Instructor at the PGA West Golf Academy and Jim McLean Golf School, both at PGA West La Quinta Resort and Spa. He also owned and operated the Maggs Golf Academy at the Golf Club at Terra Lago in Indio before partnering with Devan Bonebrake at the Southern California Golf Academy ion 2017.  Mike his proficient in a number of cutting-edge golf technologies, including TrackMan, K-Motion, BodiTrak and SAM Putt Lab. Mike believes the student needs to understand themselves and their swing, commit completely to the solution and enjoy THE PROCESS of getting better. If these ingredients are in place, anyone with the proper guidance can reach their golfing goals whether that is Playing professionally, lowering their handicap and just have a ton of fun on the golf course.  

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Devan Bonebrake

Founder | GCA Lead Coach

Originally from Portland Oregon, Devan played collegiate golf at College of the Desert in Palm Desert before transferring to San Diego State. Upon graduation from SDSU in 2007 he started working for Jim McLean at PGA West in La Quinta California. There Devan was able to spend significant time with Jim McLean and was subsequently asked by Jim to move to the TPC Doral location in Miami Florida to be his Personal Teaching Assistant. As Jim McLean’s personal assistant Devan was able to teach with Jim in every golf lesson, clinic and school that he taught.

Some of the notable players he worked with while Jim’s Assistant were Greg Norman, Keegan Bradley, Lexi Thompson, Eric Compton, and Vaughn Taylor. Devan also aided Jim in the writing of his Death Moves book in 2009. In 2011 Devan was offered a Master Instructor position at The Jim McLean Junior Academy in Dallas/Fort Worth. He spent the next 5 years helping develop some of the best Junior golfers in the country.

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In addition to Jim McLean Devan has had the opportunity to spend significant time with Mike Bender, Jim Hardy, Hank Haney, Chuck Cook, Jim Flick, and Carl Welty. The culmination of this time has helped shape the way Devan teaches golf. Devan enjoys working with players of all abilities from the High Performance Junior to the Weekend Golfer, or just anyone looking to pick up the game and have fun!

Jason Hong, PGA

PGA Instructor | Director of Instruction

Jason Hong comes to us from Arrowood Golf Course where he was the PGA Director of Instruction. He attended Arizona State University where he received his degree in Business Management and earned his PGA Professional accreditation in 2014.

He believes that simplifying the golf swing and the thought process are very important to the everyday golfer.  The simpler your swing, the easier it is to have a swing that is more repeatable and consistent.  Jason understands that all golfers have different physical abilities/limitations and personal goals in mind.  He is very patient and tailors his instructions to each player.  With his wealth of knowledge and access to cutting edge technologies, including Trackman, K-motion, Boditrak and SAM Putt Lab here at Southern California Golf Academy, Jason will be able to take your game to the next level and make you better than you’ve ever been.

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Jason has also been nominated by the Southern California Professional Golf Association for the Youth Developmental Leadership award in 2019 for growing the Junior golf programs and helping promote the PGA Junior League.  

He has also been featured in California Golf and Travel Magazine two months in a row for his Short Game and Driver instructional tips.

Conner Johnson

Lead Instructor | Elite Juniors | Golf School Specialist

Conner Johnson recently nominated for the prestigious Golf Digest Best Young Teacher in America and is a Southern California Golf Academy Lead Instructor.  Prior to his time here at the Southern California golf academy, Conner spent several years at the Jim McLean Elite Junior Golf Center In Ft Worth, Texas. While with Jim McLean, Conner work with many of the top junior golfers in the entire world. Conner enjoys working with players of all abilities from the High Performance Juniors to the Weekend Golfer, or just anyone looking to pick up the game and have fun!  

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TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

In our opinion it is the teachers job to adapt to the student not the other way around. Our goal with each student is to find the areas of your game that need the most help and turn them into strengths.

In order to improve, a golfer needs to know EXACTLY what they are currently doing, what they want to do instead, and what path will take them there.  Devan Bonebrake and Mike Maggs learned this 3-step system from Jim McLean and it is bulletproof.

Our different advanced technologies provide our students the ability to greatly shorten the learning curve meaning fast, effective and lasting improvement.

What People have to say

“Devan studied very hard with me in Miami to get certified with the Jim McLean Golf School. He taught for my Golf school and for my Junior Golf Academy in Fort Worth, Texas. Devan has worked very hard to learn his craft. I’m very proud of his teaching skills”

– Jim Mclean

#3 Ranked Teacher Nationally by Golf Digest.

What People have to say

“I am so happy to share my experience with Mike Maggs and the Southern California Golf Academy…best and fun most decision I made for my golf game and definitely gave me the confidence I needed and was sorely lacking!!”

Mary T

Oceanside CA

What People have to say

“In my opinion Devan is one of the best young golf instructors in the United States. During his time working at The Jim McLean Golf School we worked a ton with Devan and I was always impressed with his preparation and ability to communicate. The Members at Revolution Golf always left raving reviews regarding his instructional videos. If you are looking to improve your game from someone understands it and can play… Devan is your guy”

– Justin Tupper

Founder of Revolution Golf

What People have to say

“Devan Bonebrake is an exceptional instructor. I first met him several years ago when he came for instruction on his swing and also observe my lessons. He has a strong desire and work ethic to learn and be the best at what he does. If you are looking for a quality coach and person, I highly recommend Devan.”

– Mike Bender

Golf Digest Top 5 Instructor

What People have to say

“I have been using the teaching professionals at the Southern California Golf Academy for about a year now and my game has really improved! I needed help with my driver as well as putting/short game and I can’t say enough about Mike and Gary. They not only demonstrate the techniques but if you have a question after they are more than happy to answer and make sure  you understand what they are showing you. I would highly recommend the SCGA to anyone that wants to improve their game!”

– Bruce R
Carlsbad, CA

What People have to say

“I’ve had a pleasure knowing Devan for the last 3 years. Professionally Devan has shown an extensive knowledge of the golf game and golf swing. I’ve spent several hours discussing with him in length how the golf swing works. Devan is a great communicator and teacher of what a student should know & learn with his golf game. I’ve also watched Devan interact with his students and have admired the relationships he’s built with his students while helping them understanding what they need to progress with their game.”

– Akin Ayodele

Former NFL Athlete

What People have to say

“I have worked with Devan a number of times doing testing on Trackman. We look at which drivers are performing best for me, as well as other factors that play a large part in long drive – club path, face angle in relation to club path, attack angle, and decent angle. With Devan’s help, I’m able to make the necessary adjustments that will give me the best chance of winning!”

– Mike Dobbyn

2007 RE/MAX World Long Drive Champion

What People have to say

“When I started working with Devan I didn’t know that much about the golf swing. However, after working with him over a stretch of around two years, my knowledge and understanding of my own golf swing improved greatly. He helped me understand my miss and exactly what I needed to do to hit predictable and different types of golf shots.”

– Scott Podsednik

2005 World Series Champion