John Konya joined the Aquinas Athletic Department in the summer of 2023 and serves as the head coach of the men's and women's golf programs. Konya is the seventh coach in the history of the AQ golf programs.
Over his first season in charge of the golf programs, Konya saw many noteworthy highlights for both teams. Aquinas had an individual win a tournament on the men's team. The women's team had several top-three performances, including a runner-up finish, and placed fifth at the WHAC Championship.
Prior to Aquinas, a good portion of Konya's career was spent as a golf professional in Arizona where, in addition to instructing, Konya served as a Head Golf Professional. Konya's tenure with Marrott Golf and Hilton Golf included serving on the Executive Committee for two Tour events, as well as The Skills Challenge, a nationally televised event for NBC Sports that featured players like Phil Mickelson, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, John Daly, Ben Crenshaw and other top tour stars. Konya was also the Head Golf Professional at the Seaview Golf Club in New Jersey. Seaview, a Marriott property, had a Top 100 Golf Shop that annually hosts the ShopRite Classic, an LPGA Event.
Konya developed an inspiration for coaching at a young age after being exposed to two of the best collegiate golf programs in the country through Arizona State and The University of Notre Dame.
John has had the opportunity to play at the Old Course at St. Andrews, Pebble Beach, Spyglass, the TPC at Sawgrass, Turnbury in Scotland, The Olympic Club, Scottsdale TPC, Olympia Fields, Whistling Straits, and many other of the top courses in the country.
Konya became a member of the PGA at a young age in 1990, managed three operations that were awarded Top 100 Golf Shops in the nation. John has served as the Director of Instruction for Nike Golf Camps and was also the Director of Student Affairs at the Golf Academy of Arizona, a two year College specializing in Golf Operations Management.
John and his wife, Lynn, reside in the Grand Rapids area and are proud parents of Liz, Drew, and Addi. When he is not around the golf course, he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, fishing, and attending major sporting events (including the PGA US Open, the PGA Championship, the Master's, and the Ryder Cup). John frequently watches the Tigers and Notre Dame football.
