Management Team / Advisory Board Bios
Russel Johnson
Co-owner
Russel Johnson is the owner and Lead Instructor of the Ocean State Golf Academy. Upon traveling around the country and working in three of the five largest golf meccas, he amassed experience on the lesson tee and in the golf shop. Embracing the modern way of golf instruction, he returned home to Rhode Island after 19 years away and created the Ocean State Golf Academy.
In November 2019, the academy launched a technology-centric approach to instruction. He introduced never seen before-learning components such as Robo Golf Pro (an automated golf swing trainer only 30 in the world), and Sportsbox AI (golf swing videos transformed into an avatar or skeletal form), among other performance stations that include golf swing video observation.
As a knowledgeable golf instructor, Russel has adapted to all modern technologies throughout his career while infusing some old-world teaching methods that his mentors shared. Communication is his greatest asset, as he has developed his instruction style. In the five states Russel has taught, his mentors have influenced his growth as an instructor and mentor to younger professionals and tour-caliber players.
He is a current Callaway Golf staff player and stays in tune with all the current performance trends of the product line. Both make for a good mix of instruction and club fitting. He is currently enrolled in the PGA of America PGA Apprentice program, gaining better business & communication skills for golf instruction while joining the country's largest governing body of golf professionals.
When he is not instructing, Pickleball has become a true passion.
Dr. Debra Cohen
Co-owner
Dr. Debra Cohen is co-owner of Rhode Island Pickle ball. Dr. Cohen has her doctorate in Educational Leadership. She has extensive experience in athletic affairs in higher education. In her previous roles in higher education, she was responsible for student athlete orientation. she provided student athletes with the necessary tools to help them become successful college student athletes.
Deb has also been the Dean of Academic Advising at a local community college as well as published an article on her dissertation topic of Electronic Portfolio’s. She is a very active member in the Rhode Island community having held the position of President of Rhode Island Women in Higher education for over 10 years.
A Connecticut native, Deb completed her undergraduate and graduate degree at URI and her doctorate at Johnson & Wales University. She brings a wealth of knowledge being an athlete, as a former tennis player and avid runner. She has run 4 marathons, over 20 half marathons and more 5k’s than she can count. She owns a French bulldog who has her wrapped around her pinky (paw).
She fell in love with the game of pickleball and much like her other endeavors decided to take it to the next level in co-founding Rhode Island Pickleball.
