Meet the Staff
Ryan Coffey – General Manager
Ryan rejoined the Myakka Pines family in March 2022 as General Manager. A native of Charleston,
Illinois, his passion for golf began early – taking his first job at a local driving range at just 14 years old.
During college, he expanded his experience by working in course maintenance, developing a
well-rounded understanding of golf operations. Ryan first joined Myakka Pines in 2018 as an Assistant
Professional before playing a key role in opening Heritage Landing Golf & Country Club in Punta
Gorda, Florida. Today, he leads with a clear philosophy: to ensure the club is always better tomorrow
than it was today, driving continuous improvement in both the course and member experience.
Penny Porter – Head Golf Professional
LPGA Class A Professional 
Penny brings decades of experience as both a teacher and leader in the game of golf. Originally from
Indianapolis, Indiana, she played collegiate golf on scholarship at Southern Illinois University, where
she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education. Her professional journey began as an Assistant Golf
Professional in Sarasota before advancing to Head Golf Professional at Sun ‘N Lake Golf & Country
Club in Sebring, Florida. Over the years, Penny has also served as Clubhouse Manager for Manatee
County’s golf division, Women’s Golf Director and Merchandise Coordinator for RH West Management,
and Head Golf Professional at Deer Creek Golf Club. She even managed one of the top 20 Pro Shops
nationwide for Dick’s Sporting Goods. An LPGA Class A Professional, she is active in national
leadership roles and currently serves on the LPGA Hall of Fame Committee. In recognition of her
service, she received the prestigious Goldie Bateson Award in 2013. Penny is passionate about
instruction and has helped golfers of every skill level improve their game.
Rich Williamson – Assistant Golf Professional
PGA Class A Professional
Rich became a PGA Class A Professional in 2019 and has built his career around a love for the game
and a commitment to service. Before joining Myakka Pines, he served as Head Golf Professional at
Sarasota National, where he gained valuable experience in player development, course operations, and
member engagement. His journey in golf has taken him from Dublin, Ohio, to Colorado and New Jersey,
before settling in Florida to continue his professional path. Rich is passionate about instruction and has
worked extensively with junior golfers, helping them develop both skills and confidence. He has also
been active in community service, participating in mission trips that blend his dedication to golf with
giving back. Outside of work, Rich enjoys fishing, playing guitar, and spending time with his wife and
their three children. His accomplishments have been recognized by the North Florida PGA Section’s
Southwest Chapter, where he was honored as Assistant Professional of the Year in 2016, Assistant
Professional Player of the Year in 2022, and most recently received the 2024 Youth Player Development
Award.