April 30—If you have never taken a golf lesson from Chris Tremblay, you probably know someone who has. Since 1997, you can argue that no one has had a larger impact on Berkshire County’s instructional development than Tremblay.

Ten years as owner of the Skydome Golf Center, the only indoor practice facility in the area.

Nine years as Skyline’s teaching professional.

Eight years as the Regional Director and Lead Instructor of the Nike Junior Golf Camps at Williams College.

Not to mention six years as the golf coach at Pittsfield High School, his involvement with Camp Winadu and all of his private lessons.

Along the way, Tremblay has received the 2004 Northeastern New York PGA Teacher of the Year award (only the 3^rd winner from the Berkshires since 1989) and was named one of the top 50 instructors in North America by Golf Range Magazine in 2005 and 2006.

“He’s given me several lessons,” admits his father, Jim, with a smile. “He keeps trying. I keep telling myself, ‘Imagine if I hadn’t gotten those lessons.’”

“Every time I have a tournament, I go to him for a little tune-up,” said longtime friend and three-time Pittsfield City Champion Matt Scarafoni. “He’s done more for my golf game than anybody.”

“He gives me tips all the time,” said Dean DiMassimo, who plays regularly with Tremblay. “He puts me on video. He says, ‘Your left arm’s a noodle. Come on!’”

Beginning April 17, his students will have to travel to the Donald Ross-designed Silver Creek Country Club in Hellertown, PA for instruction from Tremblay, who recently accepted their position as the Director of Instruction. He will oversee the development of 600 members.

“This job came about when I decided to pursue some of the unique teaching opportunities I saw on the PGA employment site,” said Tremblay, 45, who has been a PGA Member for 20 years. “I really didn't start to pursue anything until this year because I have enjoyed what I have been doing. This opportunity came along and it was time to jump on the train and see where it takes us.”

“This gets him focused on exactly what he wants to do, which is teach, and not worry about anything else,” said Scarafoni.

No work behind the pro shop counter. No booking tee times. And no member guest dinners. Just teaching.

“There is no hesitation about taking this position from a professional standpoint,” said Tremblay. “None. Nada. Teaching has always been my thing. I have no clue why.”

His parents can still recall the keen interest he showed for golf in middle school while they lived in Columbus, Ohio.

“One day, he told use he thought he’d like to have golf as a career,” said Maryellen, his mother. “He certainly had a gift for it.”

Over the years, victories in the Junior Allied, Men’s Allied, Berkshire County Pro Championship and the Red Lion Inn Pro-Am, “the big four,” as Tremblay calls them, confirmed his parent’s suspicions. His impressive playing record has helped him simplify the game to his students.

“The way he works with people, the way he can bring things to a level of understanding, he makes things simple,” said his brother Brian, who works for NBC Universal.

“It’s another chapter,” Scarafoni said of the new job. “He can build a whole new following.”

Silver Creek’s gain does equal Berkshire County’s loss, except for those willing to travel.

“We timed it driving back from Florida, his father said. “It’s about three hours. It’s manageable.”

“I’ve been MapQuesting a few things,” Scarafoni admitted.

“I want to take a couple of trips, because I want to see what he does,” said Robert ‘Doc’ Miller, who has worked regularly for Tremblay during Nike Camp, at the Skydome and as an assistant coach at PHS.

Despite the new job and new locale, he plans to reopen the Skydome Golf Center next December, keeping the door open for the few remaining Berkshire County golfers who have yet to take a lesson from him.

“I’ve certainly touched a lot of bases,” Tremblay said.