Instructor
Department of Exercise Sciences and Sport Studies
Biography
Derek DeJidas joined the team at PennWest California in August 2019 after 14 seasons as the PGA senior assistant golf professional at Longue Vue Club, an exclusive private country club located just outside of Pittsburgh, Pa. During his time at Longue Vue Club, he oversaw the merchandising and golf shop operations and provided instruction to more than 200 members and guests. Prior to that, DeJidas worked at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa. where he was on staff for the 2003 U.S. Amateur Championship.
DeJidas grew up in Pittsburgh and received his education at Penn State University in the Professional Golf Management program. During this time, he worked to earn his PGA Membership. In order to earn this prestigious membership, he spent five years studying all aspects of the game of golf.
DeJidas received the 2013 Tri-State PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Award and the 2018 Tri-State PGA Player Development Award.
He has been a TaylorMade Crusader Staff Professional since 2010. He was the recipient of the 2018 & 2019 TaylorMade Staff Professional Business Excellence Award earning him a berth in both the 2019 & 2020 TaylorMade Staff Professional Championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links.
DeJidas lives in Pittsburgh, Pa., with his wife, Melissa, and children Connor and Nora.
Professional Affiliations and Service-Learning Projects
DeJidas is a Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) of America Tri-State PGA Section Professional.
With Justin Barroner and James Pond, also of PennWest California's PGM program, he coordinates “Golf for Business and Life,” which provides an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to receive free golf instruction, while providing students in the PGM program with valuable experience teaching the game of golf.
DeJidas, Barroner and Pond, along with the Professional Golf Management Student Society, coordinate a fund-raising golf tournament each year — "Tee-It-Up Fore Tots" – for the Children's Institute of Pittsburgh.
- B.S. Recreation, Parks and Tourism Management, Professional Golf Concentration: Penn State University