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Todd began playing golf at age 11 when he started working at a local golf course as a “wonder”. A “wonder” position provided kids with an opportunity to work 1 – 2 days per week and play and practice for free. He began playing competitive golf at age 12. His greatest achievement in golf as a teen was winning 4 tournaments his senior year of high school.
Todd was a walk on to the team at the University of Oklahoma at the recommendation of Todd Hamilton and David Sheffield, both members of the team at the time. He was working at a local course and going to school when he saw Todd and David playing a few holes. Joining them on the back nine, he remembers playing well. Todd Hamilton asked him what he was doing and he said just working in the bag room. Todd (Hamilton) was nice enough to talk to the assistant coach at the time to hold a walk-on tournament to give Todd (Graves) a chance at a spot on the team. He won the tournament by one shot. Todd Hamilton later confided to Todd that if he wouldn’t have made that putt, they would not have taken any other walk-on. After a wrist injury that side lined him from competitive play, Todd became the Assistant Coach for the OU team from 1990-1991.
Todd was employed by Natural Golf Corporation as an instructor / tour player from 1994-1998, was a member of the Canadian PGA Tour in 1995, and the Asian Golf Tour in 1991. He also played in the Hooters and Dakota tours.
When speaking of his achievements in golf, Todd says, “None really matter except I have been fortunate to learn much about myself in all of my golf experiences. I have also met some great people and traveled the world in the process. My favorite time was playing in the Colorado Open. With 3 holes left I was tied for the lead. I hit the ball O.B. on number 16 which cost me the tournament. The next week I was playing in the Oklahoma Open and I saw Lance Posey, another player who was at the CO open. He said that he saw me get to the top of the leader board but then fall off. He asked what happened. I said “I hit it O.B. on 16”. He said “No you mean 15”. I said “No, I mean 16!” He then pauses and says “That’s the biggest fairway on the course!”
Todd currently resides in Edmond, OK, with his dog “Princess”. Todd’s parents, Don & Cheryl Graves along with brother Tim, sister in law Gerilynne, and nephew Triston reside in Oklahoma City. Todd’s girlfriend, Tracy Bielich, also resides in Edmond.
Before founding the Graves Golf Academy with brother Todd in 2000, Tim worked as an Epidemiologist for the State of Oklahoma for 10 years.
Tim currently resides in Oklahoma City, OK with his wife of 26 years and son Triston (20) and family dog Blackie
James was born in Goose Bay, Labrador Canada. He grew up living all over the Eastern Canada and joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 1981. Stationed and traveling throughout Canada, Europe and the United States, James retired in 2004 at the rank of Captain, while stationed here in Edmond OK.
In 2001, James obtained his Golf Teaching credentials through the United States Golf Teachers Federation (USGTF), ultimately becoming a Master Teaching Professional in 2003. Upon his retirement from the CAF, he began his teaching career working at numerous golf facilities in the OKC area. In 2005 he became a Tech Rep for Callaway Golf working Demo Days, mastering club fitting techniques. He has been certified to fit golf clubs by all major club manufacturers including; Ping, Titleist, Cobra, Mizuno, Cleveland, Srixon, Taylor Made and Bridgestone. In 2017, James travelled with Graves Golf to Carlsbad CA to become re-certified as a Master Club Fitter by Callaway Golf.
James resides in Edmond OK with his wife Cindy and two boys Alexander and Christopher. When he is not working or traveling with Graves, James is very active with the Boy Scouts of America. He is a past Cubmaster (105 boys), current Scoutmaster (35 Boys and 15 Girls), a mentor to National Youth Leadership Training and the BSA Adult Leadership Training – Woodbadge.
Trent has been a member of the Graves Golf Academy Staff since May of 2010 and a PGA member since December of 2012.
He earned a BS in Secondary Education from Michigan State University and an MBA from Central Michigan University.
Clay enrolled in the PGA-PGM program immediately after his retirement, and in less than two years he completed the requirements to become a PGA member.
Clay met Todd and Tim Graves while attending a “Build Your Game Camp”. He quickly thought the Graves Golf Academy instructors knew how to do things the right way. Clay experienced dramatic improvement with his own swing using the single plane approach, and believes it is the simplest way to strike a golf ball. Since that time he has enjoyed working alongside Tim and Todd at golf schools at various sites throughout the US since 2007.
Clay is a PGA member and Master Instructor with the Graves Golf Academies. He is the Director of Instruction at the Golf Tour Trailer and Studio located just outside Warrenton, VA. This facility is open year round and has an indoor studio for inclement weather.
He resides in Orlando, FL with his wife, Karen.
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