fbpx

Golf Lessons

Club Professionals

Meet The Pros

Byron McCall, PGA
Head Golf Professional

Ryon "Eddie" Carlson
1st Assistant Golf Pro

Mike Berning, PGA
Teaching Professional

Michael Salmon Jr
Assistant Golf Pro

Meet The Pros

Byron McCall, PGA

Byron McCall joined Chimney Oaks last November. Native of Hendersonville, NC Byron, his wife, Cristan and daughters, Kellyn and Kinsley have been excited to be a part of the Chimney Oaks community!  Byron enjoys fishing, UNC basketball, and is always looking for a great joke! Byron joined us by way of Currahee Club in Toccoa, GA after 4 years of service to that community.  He started his career in golf at Champion Hills Club in Hendersonville, NC.  Byron continues to help our facility grow and is looking forward to many years to come at the club!

Ryon “EDDIE” Carlson, 1ST ASSISTANT GOLF PRO

Eddie was born and raised in Duluth, MN. He grew up playing Football, Hockey and Golf. But when Eddie found Golf, it quickly cemented its hold into his entire being and knew that Golf is what he wanted as a
career. After High School, Eddie moved south to Arizona to pursue a life in the Golf business, playing on mini tours, working, managing golf facilities, giving lessons and fully immersing himself into the Golf world.

For the better part of 20 years, Eddie would spend his winters in Arizona and the summers back in Minnesota with a few different stints in other locations along the way. Eddie’s first job in the Golf Business was picking
up range balls at the local small private Golf Club where he grew up. Eddie eventually worked his way up
over his years of service to be the Head Golf Professional/Assistant General Manager at that small
private country club. Eddie has been in the Golf Business as a professional for nearly 25 years and has
worked in many different facilities with varying roles and/or titles in Minnesota, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

In his free time, Eddie loves to play Golf and work on his game, go fishing, hunting, (anything outdoors) listening to music, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

Eddie is extremely excited to be here at Chimney Oaks Golf Club and looks forward to meeting our membership and working together to cultivate experiences that we all can be proud of.

William “Michael” Salmon Jr., Assistant Golf Pro

Michael was born and raised in Snellville, GA. He grew up playing baseball, basketball and golf. He found his passion for the game of golf when he started playing with his father at age 4. Throughout high school, Michael was at the golf course daily playing or working. He won Georgia PGA Junior Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006, while winning various Southeastern Junior Golf tournaments along the way. Michael continued his career at Thomas University where he studied Business and earned a golf scholarship. He has gained experience at many courses over the years, both private and public, and is currently working to complete the PGA Professional Golf Management Program. In his free time, Michael loves to spend time with his dog, play golf with his father, attend NASCAR races, and watch sports. Michael is extremely excited to be a part of the Chimney Oaks team and looks forward to what the future holds for him in the golf industry.

Mike Berning, PGA - Teaching Professional

Mike Berning grew up in upstate New York, before moving to Sante Fe, NM in 1992.  It was during this time he entered the golf industry, following his love for the game and embarking on a new career.  After beginning his career in Tampa, FL, he moved to Georgia to embark on a new opportunity at The Atlanta Athletic Club.  This incredible experience allowed him the opportunity to partner with multiple exceptional golfers, including Chan Reeves, Jimmy Harris and Chris Moore. Each of whom were recognized as "Teacher/Coach of the Year" in Georgia, worthy recognition of their commitment and talent.

 Additionally, Mike instructed students and learned from his peers as an instructor at The Professional Golfers Career College.  During his tenure, he continued to learn from his colleagues, honing his skills as an instructor and sharing ideas with Phil Ritzon, Sean Foley, Donnie Lee, Earl Hawkins and the Zieglers.  He is fortunate enough to call these golfers his mentors, learning invaluable skills and life lessons from these instructors of many PGA and LPGA Tour Professionals.

 In 2010, Mike returned to Georgia as Director of Instruction at Marietta Country Club.  During this experience, he was afforded the opportunity to teach all aspects of golf to a variety of players.  As a result of his dedication and innovative practices, the club's instructional facilities and staff increased.  Mike was again privileged to work alongside like-minded colleagues who shared his passion, vision and persistence towards shared success.  

 In addition to guiding adult students at Marietta, Mike independently designed, coordinated and executed programs focused on junior golfers, from toddler to college-age.  His efforts were rewarded by their independent success, going on to play competitively following their high school experiences. Mike's relentless pursuit of student achievement has afforded him immense joy and pride, seeing students of all levels, from beginner to professional succeed and surpass their personal goals. 

Over the course of his career, Mike has felt immensely rewarded by teaching all levels of players, beginner to professional.  

 In addition to sharing students' successes and increased passion for the game of golf, Mike has served on the Georgia PGA Board of Directors, the Georgia Senior Board of Directors and the Georgia Assistants Board.  His teaching and coaching talents have been recognized multiple times, including being named to the US Kids Master Teachers Top 50 List in 2012 and being named Teacher of the Year in North Georgia in 2022.

 Throughout his career, Mike has prioritized student success, their achievement of personal goals while balancing a love for the game and relationship building to best serve their needs.  He has independently pursued consistent professional development by attending various seminars and learning from his students, peers, and role models alike. Mike looks forward to continuing to grow as a professional and player, pursuing his love of the game and fulfillment through students' continuous success.