Hoppy Smith - PGA, Director of Instruction and Player Development

A native of MS, Hoppy became a professional in 1993.  He served his apprenticeship under Kenny Hughes, PGA at the Broadwater Sun Course from 1993 – 1996.  On August 1, 1996 he was elected to the PGA of America and joined the Diamondhead Country Club as Head Golf Professional in December, 1996.  During this time he was awarded 1999 Regional Club Fitter of the Year by Ping; voted Gulf Coast Teacher of the Year by his peers in 2004, and in 2008 achieved a G.S.E.B. (Golf Stroke Engineering Bachelors) with the Golfing Machine and is now working towards his Masters.

Chris Altese - PGA, Head Golf Professional

Starting in the cart and guest service operation at Bethesda Country Club just outside of Washington DC, Chris has been in the golf business for just over 20 years and has been a Class A PGA Golf Professional and member of the PGA of America since 1998.  Chris and his family have resided in Diamondhead since 1999.  A graduate of the PGA's Professional Golf Management program at Mississippi State University, Chris was most recently employed at the Bridges Golf Club in Bay St. Louis, MS where he was Director of Golf for the past 10 years.  In addition to Bethesda Country Club and The Bridges Golf Club, Chris also worked at Hattiesburg Country Club, MS State University Golf Club and Windance Golf Club.

Gregg Altese - Assistant Professional

A Gulf Coast native, Gregg is a graduate of Mississippi State University. After many years in the corporate world, Gregg took his love for the game of golf to another level and joined the PGA as an apprentice in 2000. Prior to joining Diamondhead in 2007, he was the Assistant Professional at The Oaks in Pass Christian from 1999-2005. He enjoys the opportunity to promote the life event called Golf.

Brook Sentell - Golf Superintendent

Brook joins Diamondhead from the Highlands Country Club in Highlands, NC where he worked for three years.  Highlands Country Club is a picturesque Donald Ross course nestled in the mountains of Western North Carolina.  It also served as the summer home of Bobby Jones for many years.  Brook brings over 15 years of turfgrass industry experience.  After earning his Bachelor's degree in Turfgrass Management from Clemson University he completed an internship at Long Cove Club, a Golf Digest Top 100 Golf Course located on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.  He was the Assistant Superintendent for five years.  Brook and his wife Alison have one daughter, Harper, who was born in December, 2010.  Brook is excited to be a part of the Diamondhead team and looks forward to making our guests golf experience an enjoyable one.