Rich Greenwood grew up in the San Fernando Valley and first learned to play the game at El Caballero Country Club. He attended UCLA from 1984 to 1989.
During his career at UCLA, Rich won many events individually such as the Pasadena City Championship, UCLA/Bill Bryant Invitational, Western Intercollegiate and twice a winner at the Costa Mesa City Championship. Rich was also nominated to the All Pac 10 team in 1987 and was the captain of the UCLA Men’s Golf Team in 1989.
The highlight of his collegiate career was winning the NCAA National Team Championship in 1988 at North Ranch Country Club.
This was the first NCAA Golf title taken home by the Bruins.
He turned pro in 1989 and spent the next five years playing in Southeast Asia, Canada and on the Ben Hogan Tour. Rich won the Northern California Open in 1990.
He was a teaching professional at El Caballero Country Club and Brentwood Country Club from 1995 to 2002. He was then Director of Instruction at Tour Golf in Agoura Hills from 2002 to 2016. Currently Rich is a PGA teaching professional at Westlake Golf Course.
Rich joined the Pepperdine Waves ahead of the 2019-20 season as the Women’s assistant coach to Head Coach Laurie Gibbs.
“I have known Rich for 20 years and think he will be an excellent addition to our program,” said head coach Laurie Gibbs at the time of Greenwood’s hiring. “He has been a winner in junior, college and professional golf. He is one of the premier PGA teaching professionals in Southern California and we are very excited that he will be joining the Waves. As a college golfer, Rich’s UCLA team won the NCAA championship. As a college coach, we look forward to him being an important part of the Waves winning an NCAA championship.”
Rich resigned from his tenure at Pepperdine in 2023 and is now back to doing what he loves, teaching/coaching privately.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity to represent Pepperdine University and work with Laurie to continue the incredible success of the last 26 years,” said Greenwood at his hiring. “The quality of the student-athletes that have come through the program and all of their achievements as All-Americans, All-American Scholars and contributors to a better society after graduation, is the legacy of the program.”
Notable People Rich Greenwood has worked with:
Brandt Jobe – PGA Tour
Bruce Jenner – 1976 Olympic Gold Medalist- Decathlon and “Keeping up with the Kardashians”
Flea – Musician “Red Hot Chili Peppers”
Marcus Allen – NFL Hall of Famer and Super Bowl Champion with the Los Angeles Raiders
Alterraun Verner – NFL Tennessee Titans
Chris Horton – NFL Washington Redskins
Paul Pierce – NBA All Star and World Champion Boston Celtics
DL Hughley – Comedian
Larry Gordon – Hollywood Producer “48 Hours” and “Die Hard 1 and 2”
Chuck Gordon – Hollywood Producer “Die Hard” and “Die Hard 2”
Roger Birnbaum – Hollywood Producer “Rush Hour” Series and “Sixth Sense”
Brad Grey – Hollywood Producer “Sopranos” and “The Departed”
Rob Cavallo – Record Producer “Green Day” and “Goo Goo Dolls”
Dewey Nicks – Fashion Photographer and Film Director
Phil Donahue – TV Host
Pam Shriver – Hall of Fame Tennis Player and Tennis Commentator
Eddie Cibrian – Actor
George Lazenby – Actor
As a player, he still remains competitive in the Southern California PGA Section. He currently is a member of the PGA.
Greenwood and his wife Chantal have two children, Cooper and Riley.