WESTWOOD – Geffen Academy at UCLA is proud to announce the hiring of Mike Padilla as the school’s new Head Varsity Golf Coach, alongside Raphael Villarama as Head Junior Varsity Golf Coach, marking an exciting new chapter for one of the school’s most successful and rapidly growing athletic programs.

Founded in the 2018-19 school year, the Geffen Academy golf program has grown steadily over the past seven seasons, earning competitive success in the Pacific Basin League, the Coastal League, and at the CIF level. Recent investments in state-of-the-art facilities — including indoor launch monitors, multiple hitting bays, and putting mats — have further positioned the program for continued excellence.

“While I have thoroughly enjoyed leading and growing the program, I believe our young golfers are deserving of next-level instruction,” said David Collicutt, Athletic Director at Geffen Academy at UCLA. “Our recent partnership with Derrick Allen at Rancho Park Golf Course has elevated our training environment, and I am thrilled to welcome coaches who will take our program to even greater heights.”

Varsity Leadership: Mike Padilla

Padilla joins Geffen Academy with collegiate head coaching experience, having previously served as the head men’s and women’s golf coach at Marymount California University. During his tenure, his teams competed at a high level while maintaining a combined team GPA above 3.30 — reflecting his commitment to both athletic and academic excellence.

An accomplished competitive golfer, Padilla has competed in elite amateur events including the U.S. Mid-Amateur and other high-level Southern California tournaments. He currently maintains a +4 handicap and continues to compete regularly, bringing firsthand tournament experience to his coaching.

“Mike’s playing pedigree, instructional expertise, and understanding of competitive golf will be a difference-maker for our varsity athletes as they prepare for league championships and CIF competition,” Collicutt said.

Padilla holds a BA in Business Management and an MBA from Marymount California University, where he also competed as a student-athlete and won a conference championship. In addition to coaching, he serves as a swing instructor and club fitter at Plaza Golf in the South Bay.

Junior Varsity Support: Raphael Villarama

Supporting the varsity program and leading junior varsity development is Raphael Villarama, who brings more than 15 years of high-level tournament golf experience. A standout junior golfer in Southern California, Villarama earned multiple top finishes on the AJGA and Toyota Tour Cup, and is a former Los Angeles City Junior Champion and Los Angeles County Junior Champion. The Glendale native currently maintains a +3 handicap.

Villarama has trained under renowned instructors including Butch Harmon and Rick Sessinghaus, shaping a coaching philosophy centered on fundamentals, individuality, and long-term player development. He has extensive experience working with young athletes, including serving as an instructor for Nike Junior Golf Camps.

Middle School Leadership: Colin Rockenbach

Also joining the golf coaching staff is Colin Rockenbach, who will take over as Head Coach of the Middle School Golf Program, continuing Geffen Academy’s emphasis on long-term player development.

Rockenbach is a familiar and trusted presence on campus, having served as a middle school soccer coach at Geffen Academy for the past three years. His deep ties to the school community and experience working with younger student-athletes make him a natural fit to lead the program’s foundational level.

A former competitive golfer at Millikan High School in Long Beach — part of the highly regarded Moore League — Rockenbach brings both playing experience and a strong appreciation for the game’s traditions. Golf also runs deep in his family; his grandfather was a longtime Head Golf Coach at Long Beach Wilson High School and a former collegiate golfer at Loyola Marymount University.

“Colin’s connection to our students and his passion for teaching make him an ideal leader for our middle school golfers,” Collicutt said. “He will play a critical role in preparing our youngest players for success as they move into our upper school program.”

Continuing Growth Across All Levels

Collicutt will continue to support all levels of the golf program, including varsity, junior varsity, and middle school teams, while maintaining his role as Coastal League Golf Coordinator and Geffen Academy’s CIF representative.

“I am incredibly proud of what our golf program has become,” Collicutt said. “With this coaching staff in place, we are well-positioned to continue developing student-athletes who excel on the course, in the classroom, and beyond.”