MEGAN YOUNKMAN
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF THE GOLF CHANNEL ACADEMY WITH KELLEY BROOKE
LPGA Professionals Global Professional of the Year (2025); LPGA Northeast Section Professional of the Year (2025); LPGA Professionals Top 50 Teacher (2022–2027); LPGA Northeast Section Junior Golf Leader (2021, 2023); and LPGA Professionals National Junior Leader of the Year (2023)
With more than three decades of experience teaching and growing the game, LPGA Professionals member Megan Younkman has delivered over 38,000 lessons, establishing herself as a cornerstone of the Northeast golf community. She blends operational acumen with student-centered instruction to boost programs serving thousands annually across iconic New York courses.
Based in Farmingdale, New York, she serves as Chief Operating Officer and Director of Instruction at Golf Channel Academy with Kelley Brooke, operating at Bethpage State Park Golf Courses, Montauk Downs Golf Course, Harbor Links Golf Course, Pine Ridge, Merrick Golf Club and Lido Golf Club.
Younkman drove unprecedented growth this past year in her facilities, expanding junior programs to over 500 participants and launching inclusive programming, lifting overall participation by 25%. Junior golf enrollment surged 100% at Harbor Links and Merrick, with adult classes reaching waitlists; per-day registration at Montauk Downs also grew attendance. She hosted regional qualifiers for national junior events, spearheaded strategic partnerships for after-school initiatives integrating Trackman analysis and implementing cutting-edge technologies across five sites to drive business growth. Her efforts engage nearly 2,450 juniors and adults annually.
Younkman’s career reflects a passion for accessible, transformative golf education. After playing collegiate varsity golf for The Ohio State University and The University of Toledo, she later joined the LPGA Professionals and became a Class A certified instructor in 2007, amassing nearly 1,100 service and continuing education credits. She is known as an excellent communicator and motivator and has taught internationally in both Austria and Germany.
Her junior leadership shines. In 2011, Younkman was appointed the Head Coach for the State of Florida in the PGA Junior League Golf World Series. She co-led the U13 PGA Junior League National Championship Team for the State of New York in 2019. She also guided Bethpage’s U17 PGA Junior League Team to the National Championship in both 2023 and 2024, securing the 2024 title in New Mexico.
As an active member of the Northeast Section, Younkman has been deeply involved with LPGA Professionals for more than 20 years. She has been an integral part of the LPGA Teacher Education Program since 2012, serving on the Global Education Team as a National Evaluator and Practical Teaching Evaluation Workshop Instructor. She chaired the National Continuing Education Committee from 2014–2018 and participated on the Executive Education Committee 2019–2021. Her philosophy of leading by example with kindness, respect and mentorship empowers teams.