Meet the Team
Brandon Bittner
Master Golf Instructor
Brandon brings more than a decade of golf coaching experience to the Rick Smith Golf Academy at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles. He leads adult group coaching and clinics, and beginner player development. Brandon also does private 1:1 coaching to provide more personalized skill development. He takes a goal-oriented, results-based approach to coaching and is dedicated to helping golfers reach their full potential on the course.
Previously, Brandon was the Director of Instruction for Golf Made Simple Golf Schools, where he amassed more than 16,000 hours of teaching and coaching experience, while working with golfers from more than 35 countries at 10 different US locations.
Brandon began his career in the golf industry in 2005 on the outside services staff at Cumberland Country Club, a private club not far from his small western Maryland hometown of Mount Savage. After becoming an Assistant Golf Professional in 2010, Brandon began to develop his passion for teaching.
Brandon was recognized nationally as one of Golf Digest's Best Young Teachers in America for 2023-2024. He’s an active member of the Southern California PGA Teaching Committee and the co-founder of the Cornerstones of Coaching series with Jordan King Thomas. Their seminar-based educational program serves as a valuable resource for coaches in Southern California.
Daniel Vojta
Master Golf Instructor
Daniel comes from a playing background and has 8 years of golf coaching experience. He runs the Junior Academy and junior golf programming for the Rick Smith Golf Academy at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles, including junior group coaching and beginner skill development. Daniel also provides 1:1 adult coaching. He’s passionate about being able to give back and help grow the game of golf by inspiring others to reach their personal goals.
Daniel is a lifelong golfer who’s been playing since he was eight. His dad introduced him to the game and witnessed him breaking 100, 90, 80 and 70 for the first time. He played high school golf and Division 1 college golf, and he spent 3 years as a professional golfer on the mini tours sponsored by Tailwind Golf Management.
Prior to joining RSGA, Daniel was an Assistant Golf Pro at the Links at Terranea and taught golf in schools through the Southern California PGA.
Daniel is a US Kids Golf Certified Instructor. He’s Trackman Level 1 and 2 certified and TPI Level 1 and 2 certified. Daniel is a PGA Associate.
Originally from Chicago, IL, Daniel grew up in a family of 8 with 5 sisters, and the golf course became a home away from home. He still holds out hope to break 60 with his dad in the coming years. Off the course, Daniel traveled Central South America for 3 years doing mission work and social projects.
Michael Cude
Junior Instructor
Michael supports junior golf programming, including the Junior Academy and youth player development. He’s a skilled competitive golfer who grew up playing many sports before fully devoting himself to golf in 2012. Mostly self-taught, he has spent countless hours studying the greats of the game from their putting to full swing. He has played in many local tournaments, as well as US Amateur and US Open qualifiers.
While working on his own game at the range, he often was asked by golfers around him to help them with their game, and in 2023, Michael decided to leave his career in finance to teach the game he loves full time. There’s nothing he enjoys more than seeing a new student fall in love with the game of golf. Still an avid student of the game, you will find him constantly striving to improve and competing in his free time.
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