Q&A With Shea Satterfield
A United States Coast Guard Veteran, and PGA Professional at GOLFTEC in South Bay
Shea Satterfield, PGA, is a decorated United States Coast Guard Veteran who served our country for 20 years before retiring in 2015. He currently works as a Golf Instructor at GOLFTEC in the South Bay. He was elected to PGA membership on August 1, 2022, and had the opportunity to represent the North vs. South in the 2021 APA matches held at The Journey at Pechanga.
Give us a Brief Self Introduction.
SHEA SATTERFIELD: My name is Shea Satterfield, and I’m originally from Wilmington, Delaware. I believe playing golf is both a privilege and a joy, and I love teaching the game to everyone. I honorably served the United States Coast Guard for 20 years and currently work as a Golf Instructor at GOLFTEC in the South Bay. I previously spent time as a Club Fitter for Cobra Golf and Temecula Creek Golf Club (2018-21), and before that was the assistant golf professional at Pauma Valley Country Club (2017-18) and got my start in the golf industry at Cross Creek Golf Club as a first assistant (2015-17).
What does Black History Month mean to you?
SHEA SATTERFIELD: I feel that Black History Month is a time of the year that America can reflect on how far we have come as a society and how individuals like myself have used the opportunity that was provided by fellow Black Americans before me. As Maya Angelou said, “All great achievements require time.”
What is your biggest takeaway after serving our country and the experience you gained from it?
SHEA SATTERFIELD: After serving just over 20 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, I learned that the one thing you can’t do is set limitations for yourself. It’s best to jump as high as you can and see what you can reach as it pertains to accomplishment. Failure is never an option. You are always in the fight. It’s not others that you have to worry about when the time comes; it’s yourself that you will question if you have done enough when it’s all said and done.
When did you first fall in love with the game of golf?
SHEA SATTERFIELD: I first fell in love with the game in 2008 when I was stationed in Florida. I was conducting training at Port St. Lucie and was offered to join some of my fellow co-workers on the hotel executive course, and from there, it was love at first swing. After that, I committed myself to learning as much as I could about this game and trying to become the best player that I could possibly be.
What are you most proud of in being a member of the Southern California PGA?
SHEA SATTERFIELD: I feel privileged to be in a section that has some of the top players in PGA. Not only does it push me to be better, but the relationships we all share during and after tournaments or at Section meetings really makes me feel the sense of one family that pushes each other for growth in professionalism and community outreach to engage all people of life to enjoy the game that we all love as PGA Professionals.
What’s something you wish people knew about the Southern California Section?
SHEA SATTERFIELD: The Southern California PGA is not just about playing golf all year round. It’s about engaging the community and helping others with programs like PGA Hope and PGA Reach and sharing and providing opportunities for everyone to enjoy the greatest game ever played.
