ALEXANDRIA
— Brothers Brady, Brett, and Derek Swedberg have always dreamt of running their own golf academy.
Each of them has embarked on their own playing, coaching, and caddying careers. Now, that dream is becoming a reality.
The Swedberg brothers are taking over what was formerly the Scott Dirck Golf Academy, which is now known as the Swedberg Golf Academy.
“When we were in high school, we knew we were going into the golf industry, and running a golf academy together was always a dream,” Swedberg Golf Academy’s Director of Instruction Brady Swedberg said. “Life happens, and we all take different paths. Some golf related, some not. But fast forward 20 some years, here we are.”
Branding inside the Swedberg Golf Academy.
Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press
Dirck announced his decision to sell the Scott Dirck Golf Academy to the Swedberg family on Dec. 2, 2024.
“After 13 incredible years of owning and operating the Scott Dirck Golf Academy, I have made the decision to sell the business to the Swedberg family and embark on a new journey,” Dirck said in a Facebook post. “Our time here has been much more than just being in business. It’s been a place where the community, family, and friends have had a place to share the passion of golf. I have been blessed. I want to thank my students for trusting me with your growth in the game and for inspiring me every day with your dedication and love of the game. I want to thank my staff for their hard work and commitment. I want to thank my family, Barb, Gary Thompson, and their family for their support. I am excited for the next chapter for the golf academy with the Swedbergs. I will miss this chapter. I will always cherish the memories, friendships, and lessons from the last 13 years.”
The Swedberg Golf Academy, located at the Geneva Golf Club in Alexandria, held an open house on Friday, Dec. 6.
“Scott has passed the torch and we’re going to continue to build on what he’s created. ” Brady Swedberg said. “The goal is to create an inviting environment where people of all ages and skill levels can work on the game they love. We want to give back to the community that has been so supportive of us.”
Brady Swedberg is the head coach of the Alexandria boys golf team, while Derek is an assistant coach.
The Alexandria boys golf team has placed in the top six of the last six state tournaments.
Brett Swedberg coached the Grand Canyon men’s golf team in Arizona but now lives in the Denver, Colorado, metropolitan area. Brett Swedberg is a PGA Tour caddie who most recently caddied for Adam Schenk, who placed 12th at the 2024 Masters Tournament.
“Brett has caddied on tour for six seasons, and before that, he was coaching college golf, two of which we coached together at Arizona Christian University,” Brady Swedberg said.
One of the goals of the Swedbergs is to build on what Dirck has done as an instructor for junior golfers in the area.
“We want to keep the strong Alexandria golf tradition going. Brady Swedberg said. “Alexandria produces elite juniors, and we will continue to offer top-notch instruction to juniors. We’re also excited to have a facility where people of all ages and skill levels can come to get fitted for clubs, take private or group lessons, enjoy the simulators, host corporate events – the opportunities are endless.”
Alexandria natives Lauren Stockmoe and Casey Vangsness are instructors at the Swedberg Golf Academy, while Alexandria native Maggie Slagle is the Business Manager.
Vangsness is the lead instructor and a club fitter. He was the head pro at the Minnewaska Golf Club from 2020 to 2024. He was an all-American for the St. John’s men’s golf team in college.
Stockmoe is the Junior Golf Director and is an instructor and club fitter. Stockmoe is an assistant coach for the Alexandria High School girls golf team and the Alexandria Technical and Community College men’s and women’s golf team. Stockmoe played college golf at Bemidji State.
Branding inside the Swedberg Golf Academy
Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press
Slagle is an Ohio University graduate who is in charge of all the behind-the-scenes activities, scheduling lessons/club fittings and simulator time, and running social media accounts, according to the Swedberg Golf Academy website. She organizes all in-shop merchandise and equipment and works with outside vendors.
Brady Swedberg, Stockmoe, and Vangsness will offer golf lessons at the academy.
The Swedberg Golf Academy is a 4,500-square-foot facility that has four trackman powered golf simulators, a club fitting studio, a heated outdoor bay, an indoor putting green with a SAM PuttLab and coming this spring – Putt View. Only the second facility to have one in Minnesota!
Individual monthly membership at the Swedberg Golf Academy is $80, while the monthly rate for junior golfers, college golfers, and Geneva Golf Club members is $65. Additional family memberships are half-price.
“There’s great golf tradition in this community, and we want to keep it going in the right direction,” Brady Swedberg said.
