Mark Lynch, PGA
Vice President of Operations
Mark is the Vice President of Golf at First Tee – Greater Richmond. He joined The First Tee – Greater Richmond as Director of Golf at The Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range in March 2016 and became the Director of Golf of both First Tee Greater Richmond golf facilities in March 2018.
Over the last few years, Mark has developed the organization’s golf and customer service areas at both facilities to provide extraordinary customer service to all players. Mark is a Member of the PGA of America and Club Management Association of America (CMAA) while holding credentials such as Titleist Performance Institute Level 2 (Golf) certified instructor and Level II First Tee Coach. Additionally, Mark is a Major in the U.S. Army Reserves and now with a total of over 16 years of service. His philosophy is to connect each player with the game and help each player reach their personal goals.
Olivia Bowling, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Olivia joined the First Tee – Greater Richmond team in March 2022 after spending the previous four-plus years at The Country Club of Virginia.
One of the best golfers in Randolph-Macon history, Bowling led junior programs, women’s clinics and individual lessons while at CCV.
A Class A PGA Professional, Bowling brings great expertise to tournaments, fitting and instruction on top of her welcoming attitude and enthusiasm for the game.
Bowling received the P.J. Boatwright Internship at the Virginia State Golf Association (VSGA) after a four-year career on the Randolph-Macon women’s golf team, captaining the Yellow Jackets in 2015-16. She was the first four-time All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) First Team selection in conference history, twice being named ODAC Player of the Year.
Tim Faerber, PGA Associate
Senior Assistant Golf Professional
Tim has a wide array of responsibilities at Belmont, including assisting in the daily operations of the course, providing lessons and club fitting sessions, and overseeing the golf leagues, tournaments and patron relationships.
The four-year letterwinner on the College of Wooster men’s golf team, Faerber developed extensive club fitting experience during his time as a club fitter and sales representative at Miles of Golf, a Golf Digest Top 100 Club Fitter in his hometown of Ann Arbor, Mich.
Faerber also has previous instructional experience as a golf instructor for children ages 5-16 at multiple summer camp programs.
Mike Nowicki
Director of Agronomy
Mike joined the First Tee – Greater Richmond team in April 2022 as the organization’s Senior Director of Agronomy, overseeing and leading all operations of golf course maintenance at all three First Tee – Greater Richmond facilities – Belmont, The Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range, and The Tattersall Youth Development Center.
Mike came to First Tee – Greater Richmond after two years as the Golf Course Superintendent at Lakeside Park Club across the street from Belmont. Across his 12 years in golf agronomy, Mike has worked at some of the finest golf facilities in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, including a 2.5-year stint as the Senior Assistant Superintendent at Kinloch Golf Club, providing world-class course conditioning for the top-100 rated course, before moving to Lakeside Park Club.
At Lakeside Park Club, Mike drastically improved course conditions, restoring tee boxes, removing trees, and helping maintain Donald Ross’ original vision of the property. Prior to moving east, Mike entered the profession as an intern at The Warren Course at Notre Dame before moving on to Victoria National Golf Club in Newburgh, Ind.
Across his career, Mike has overseen and assisted with agronomic operations at tournaments for the USGA, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, Korn Ferry Tour, NCAA, and Big Ten.
Mike earned his certificate in Turf Grass maintenance from Rutgers University, and when he isn’t at one of First Tee – Greater Richmond’s three facilities, you can find him fishing, hunting or reminiscing about his round at Pine Valley.