Ryan Ford here, co-creator of Teeing Up I was raised on a farm just outside Kansas City, Missouri, by a father who taught me what hard work, discipline, and loyalty really mean. After losing my mother at a young age, I helped raise my brothers while keeping up with school, sports, and the responsibilities of farm life.

After graduation, I turned down college scholarships to serve my country in the United States Navy. As a combat veteran, I take pride not only in my service, but in the lifelong brotherhood I built along the way My dad aka “Pops” past away and that hurt me to my soul.

My dad aka “Pops” set the standard high—work hard, earn your place, and never fall behind whatever happens keep moving forward! Life will bring you heartache and struggles but keep your head up and meet it straight on and keep moving forward.

The greatest chapter of my life started when I met my wife, Nici. We’ve been married 20 years, and together we’ve raised three incredible daughters who make me proud every single day. Being a father isn’t just something I do—it’s who I am. “Dad” is the title I carry with the most pride.

After my time in the Navy, I found purpose as a paramedic and on the Swat team before life took a turn and led me to a new path. Today, I’ve been an elevator constructor with KONE for over a decade, building a career I’m proud of and a life centered around family. There’s just something about being front door famous and your kids run up to you and give you hugs! Man that makes the troubles subside that I’ve gone through that day! Then walking through the door and seeing my Queen Nici and she gives me that smile and gives me a kiss and hug and man I just melt!

Now based in Galena, Illinois, I’ve built a life filled with the things that matter most—family, friendship, and staying grounded. My best friend Jake came into my life through our daughters’ friendship, and our shared love of golf turned that into a brotherhood. Golf, like life, is about facing challenges, adapting, and enjoying the journey—especially when you’ve got the right people around you and your best friend by your side in the cart or while walking down the fairway of life!

I’m a Navy man, covered in tattoos that each tell a story, and I’ve found peace in both ink and time on the course. But at the end of every day, nothing compares to walking through my front door—being “dad,” and seeing my wife, my rock, my queen. That’s what it’s all about!

Enclosing… Time is undefeated so make sure you make memories that will last forever and all eternity with your true friends your loved ones ( my daughters and lovely Queen Nici)! So remember life will knock you down but treat it like a bad shot In golf… your recovery shot could hole out or be a tap in eagle, birdie or par!!! So just have fun and enjoy life!! Shoot that’s what I’m trying to do!!!

So let’s Tee Up that Trouble and have some fun with everyone!!!

Jake Connor was born and raised in Galena, Illinois, where small town values are learned early and carried for life. After graduating from Galena High School, he went on to study automotive and diesel technology at Universal Technical Institute. He spent nearly 20 years in the automotive dealership industry before shifting gears to John Deere, where he now works as an experimental mechanic. He enjoys building, fixing, improving, and figuring out how things work. That mindset carries into everything he does.

Jake is also a veteran and spent nearly 15 years in the early 2000s as a volunteer firefighter, serving on two different departments. Service and accountability helped shape his foundation, but his proudest title is Dad. Grace, Lydia, and Avery are the center of his world. They are his motivation and his why. Whether it is cheering them on, traveling, laughing at inside jokes, or just being present for everyday moments, family always comes first. Teeing Up Trouble is something they are watching grow in real time, and being able to show them what building something from the ground up looks like means everything.

Golf is a huge passion, borderline obsession, but not in the quiet country club way. It is early tee times, competitive matches, friendly trash talk, and memories made between shots. It is connection. It is challenge. It is the balance between focus and fun. Golf has become a constant in his life, a place where discipline meets personality and where some of the best conversations happen walking down the fairway.