The Team

Meet Dr. Luke Benoit, Ph.D.

Founder & Director of Instruction

Dr. Luke Benoit, Ph.D. is a PGA golf coach with a background in coaching, research, education, and professional golf. He has worked as a college coach, university professor and researcher, professional golfer, and Director of Instruction.

In 2015, Luke became the Director of Instruction at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, MN, one of the top-ranked courses in the United States. In that role, he oversees instructional programs and works with golfers of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to experts. Through the success of his players, Luke has been recognized as one of the region's top golf coaches and instructors.

Luke also founded RYP Golf, a company focused on technology and training to help golfers hit the ball farther and straighter. RYP has grown into one of the leading swing speed companies in the world, with golfers from around the globe traveling to work with Luke.

Meet Mike Eisele

Chief Executive Officer

Mike Eisele joined the RYP Golf team in August 2025, bringing a lifelong love of golf and a desire to help RYP golfers improve. A former All-Conference and Academic All-American golfer at Luther College, Mike competed against Dr. Luke during their college careers, usually with Luke coming out on top.

Mike lives in South Minneapolis with his wife, Brit, and their three kids. Outside of RYP, he spends his time coaching baseball, playing pickleball, and occasionally trying to fix his own golf swing.

Meet Yannick Artigolle

Mental Performance Coach

Yannick Artigolle has spent much of his life playing golf across three continents. He started playing at age six in Hong Kong, attended boarding school in the UK, and eventually played Division I golf at Northwestern University.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, strict lockdowns in Hong Kong kept Yannick from swinging a club for nearly five months. When he returned to the United States, the game he had spent years playing felt different. An attempt to grind his way back led to burnout, and by his senior year, the sport he had loved for fifteen years had become a mental battle.

That experience led Yannick to earn his Master’s in Sport Psychology from Minnesota State University, Mankato. At RYP, he works with junior and competitive golfers to develop the mental skills, resilience, and self-awareness needed to perform under pressure while maintaining a healthy relationship with the game.

Meet Phil Herder

Director of Performance & Coach

Phil Herder serves as Director of Performance and Coach at RYP Academy, bringing a background in exercise science, strength and conditioning, and golf-specific performance training. A former high school golfer at Rochester Mayo, Phil earned his B.S. in Exercise & Sport Science and M.S. in Strength & Conditioning from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where his master's thesis focused on golf-specific training interventions.

Phil's background includes working as a personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and coach leading sport-specific small group classes. He is a TPI Certified Golf Fitness Professional, NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, and ACSM Exercise Physiologist. At RYP, he develops individualized fitness programs and works to improve performance protocols through research, internal performance data, and golf science literature.

Phil previously served as head coach of the Stillwater Area High School girls' golf team and currently resides in the East Twin Cities Metro area.

Meet Makel Mackbee

Director of Operations

Makel Mackbee serves as Director of Operations at RYP, overseeing the systems and execution behind the company's programming, facilities, events, partnerships, and customer experience. He focuses on turning ideas into practical, repeatable processes that support RYP's coaches and athletes while helping the organization continue to grow.

A competitive golfer himself, Makel continues to compete in events including local qualifiers and the Minnesota State Open. His own experience in competitive golf keeps him closely connected to the demands of tournament play and the environment many RYP athletes are working toward.

Meet Teddy Kaste

Marketing

Teddy Kaste joined the RYP Golf team in May 2025, the day after graduating from Gustavus Adolphus College with a bachelor's degree in Business Management. He joined the marketing team and has since worked across RYP's marketing, content, and affiliate programs.

Teddy was a student of Dr. Luke Benoit from age 10 through the end of his college career at 22. During his time playing at Gustavus, he earned multiple All-Conference and Academic All-American honors, along with one Team MVP award.

When he's not golfing or working at RYP, Teddy can usually be found yelling at the TV when the Minnesota Vikings are playing.

Meet Rashad Elliot

Operations & Logistics

Rashad Elliot works on the operations and logistics side of RYP Golf, helping manage shipping, fulfillment, Amazon, inventory, and retail and wholesale orders. His role takes him across different areas of the business, helping keep the day-to-day operation running smoothly.

Outside of RYP, Rashad is a husband and new dad to his son, Tobias. He is also a fan of technology, gaming, and football.