Mr. Ashley started playing chess at age 8 on the streets in his hometown of Cohoes, NY. In mid-career, he founded The Sausalito Chess Academy in Marin County, California. Upon retirement, he founded another chess school, The Venetian Bay Chess Academy in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Mr. has a B.A. in Psychology and an MBA from Cal. State University Northridge, and Cal. State University San Francisco, respectively. He spent his career in home fashion bedding and bath, and is responsible for many innovations in the field. He currently resides in New Smyrna Beach Florida where he is actively involved in chess for junior golfers. Megan is a professional golfer from Aberdeen, Scotland with an MBA and BA in Sport Management/Psychology. >In 2010 Ben attended the Professional Golfers Career College in Orlando, FL. The focus of this college was to create the next leaders in the golf industry exposing students to every possible career path within the world of golf. Very quickly Ben identified Tournament Operations and Instruction as the path he wanted to pursue. While attending college Ben interned with the LPGA Tour, The LPGA Symetra Tour, The Arnold Palmer Invitational, and the North Florida PGA. After Graduating with honors Ben took over as the North Florida PGA Tournament Director in 2011. As the North Florida PGA Tournament Director Ben was responsible for many PGA Club Professional Championships, Collegiate Conference Championships, PGA Tour Q-School, Junior Golf Championships, and many more events every single year. Ben has also scored higher than 92 on the USGA Rules of Golf Exam making him a Certified Rules Official. In 2018 Ben was hired by a private company to run an LPGA Symetra Tour Event in Sarasota Florida. This event was the highest purse in the history of the Tour and according to players and LPGA Symetra Tour staff, it had a "Major Feel" to it. Shortly thereafter Ben accepted the role as Director of Golf at Venetian Bay Golf Club in New Smyrna Beach. Ben now lives in Ormond Beach with his wife Angelina and two kids Jaxson and Magnolia. Ben spends his time with his family dancing with Magnolia, cooking for the family, and of course, playing chess with Jaxson.
