Leadership
Gene Bakkum, Founder, Co-CEO and Coach
PGA Class A Professional
Gene is a Class "A" PGA Professional, a Golf Digest Best Teachers In California 2022-2023, winner of the NCPGA 2023 & 2021 Player Development Award and the NCPGA 2022 Youth Player Development Award. Gene was on the coaching staff for the UC Berkeley Men's Golf team from 2002-2016. Taking the lead on player development and skill analysis, Gene helped lead the Golden Bears to their first NCAA National Championship title in 2004. Gene also served as assistant coach for the UC Davis Men's Golf Team from 2000-2002, where he led the team to the number one ranked position in the Country for Division II Men's Golf. Gene has taken his coaching background and applied it to his teaching and coaching at Metropolitan Golf Links since 2004, and NorCal Golf Academy since 2016.
Howard Oliver, Founder, Co-CEO, and Coach
PGA Associate
Howard Oliver, co-founder & CEO of Elevate Golf Academy, combines over 35 years of golf experience with a deep background in small-to-medium-sized business development. Having competed at various levels, Howard’s journey includes a 10-year career in private equity, where he focused on researching, developing, and scaling three businesses. This experience has been instrumental in driving the success and community reach of Elevate Golf Academy. His unique expertise complements that of his partner, Coach Gene Bakkum, enabling the academy’s growth and its commitment to impactful, quality instruction for all. Coach Howard is also the acting Executive Director of Drive4Change, Inc. a California non-profit organization dedicated to using sports, technical education, and social development to support the growth of underrepresented communities throughout the Oakland (East) Bay Area.