Big Swing: Matt Ruggiere's Ocean Pines Golf Journey

Matt Ruggiere has deep ties to Ocean Pines. His trajectory, from knocking around with his friends to successful golf instructor, reflects a consistent dedication to both the sport and his hometown.

“I loved growing up in Ocean Pines," Ruggiere said. “It was awesome. A lot of days at the beach, a lot of days at the golf course.”

Relocating from New York during his early childhood, Ruggiere recalls a strong sense of community and outdoor activity in Ocean Pines.

“I remember the van being packed up and hitting the road,” he said. “I started school at Shallow Elementary here in Ocean Pines in the first grade.”

Like a lot of kids, biking around Ocean Pines solidified his relationship to and knowledge of the area.

“I think I still know all the trails in, like, every side street in the South Gate because we spent, I don't know, every day on bikes riding all around.”

Ruggiere has observed the evolution of Ocean Pines from a seasonal destination to a year-round community.

“It was definitely a little busier than stories I’ve heard in the past,” he said. “It’s exciting to me, now. It seems like it’s even busier than it was when I was growing up,” he said. “I remember always saying that in high school and after I graduate high school, ‘It’s bound to be a year round town any day, and it feels like it’s getting there. (I’ve noticed that) as we’re getting into the later fall, the weekends are still packed. The beach is still busy. It’s great to see.”

Young Golfer

He started playing golf when he was little, and it became a regular family thing.

“I'm sure I got my first set when I was only 4 or 5,” he said. “I think my grandparents got me my first set.

“We used to go with my dad oftentimes. I actually remember as a little kid, probably when I was 8, 9, 10, you know, it's typically like Father’s Day and any holidays we'd spend out there. It was how my dad wanted to spend the holidays, so we were happy to go along.”

He admits the golf carts were part of why he got involved early on.

“I definitely was kinda bribed by getting the chance to drive the golf cart to go at an early age.”

Ruggiere’s commitment to golf intensified during his middle school years, leading to increased practice and focused development.

“I'd say middle school is where I really got hooked on golf,” he said. “I kinda took it upon myself to get over to the course and practice. Days after school, I was happy to be over there, and I really feel like I lived, slept, and breathed it at that point.”

Instruction from local professionals, including Bob Beckelman, provided a structured foundation for his development.

“Lucky for me, I had a pretty good understanding of the game and a decent swing at the time because grew up playing at even earlier ages, and my dad put me in programs.”

At 14, he began working at the Ocean Pines golf course, getting a feel for the industry.

“I saw the range renovation going on. I saw the new greens put in, which was a really cool side of the industry to see,” he said. “Seeing the architects come in there and laser out the greens to get them basically exactly how they were before they cut them out. And then even just seeing kind of the turf side of the industry as the greens started to come back.”

Going Pro

After high school, Ruggiere worked in Florida, getting experience in competitive jobs.

“I ended up going down south right after high school and turned pro and was caddying and, playing a couple mini tour events, playing some professional events,” he said. “I remember getting beat up pretty bad on some of the pro circuits, but it was an awesome learning experience. And my game grew very, very quickly at that point.”

Currently, Ruggiere operates the Matt Ruggiere Golf Academy at Ocean Pines, focusing on instruction and coaching.

“I love the teaching side of it,” he said. “That’s kind of my bigger focus right now is teaching, coaching, and just keep building the academy at Ocean Pines.”

His instructional approach encompasses various formats, including group lessons and individual instruction, tailored to the specific needs of his students.

“I encourage a lot of players do group lessons just because in the past golf instruction has kinda gotten away from how golf is realistically played,” he said. “I think the group lesson is great because you're learning in an environment of 3 or 4 players, just like how you’re gonna be playing on the course.”

Ruggiere is also in the process of expanding his instructional facilities.

“We're expanding that. We added kinda we pushed the walls back a little bit,” he said of the training shelter. “So we’ll have a little more space to do some group teaching throughout the wintertime.”

Matt Ruggiere is known for his love of golf and his deep ties to Ocean Pines. His instructional approach and dedication to player development reflect a comprehensive understanding of the sport and a commitment to fostering its growth.

“I like being hands-on working with players,” he said of his work at The Matt Ruggiere Golf Academy. “I love seeing them on the course putting it all together, it’s just been a dream come true. It really has been.”