Dan Allison is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Mountain Pointe High School for AZPreps365.com

If you stumble upon Ahwatukee Country Club in South Phoenix, you’ll be certain to find a few things: golfers practicing at the range, groundskeepers cutting grass and Tony Ramseyer coaching his Mountain Pointe Pride. 

This is a familiar scene at Ahwatukee, along with the Mountain Pointe community as a whole. Ramseyer has been a teacher at Mountain Pointe since 1994, three years before he got into coaching in 1997. Almost three decades later, Ramseyer continues to mentor the next generations. 

“My parents made me come out here on a family trip when I was a senior in high school. I fell in love with the Phoenix area, and my uncle told me maybe I could work at the new school they are building down the street,” Ramseyer, a Michigan native, said, “So in 1994, I got a call one day about subbing for the day at Mountain Pointe. I cleared my plans and said yes, they ended up hiring me and I’ve been there ever since.”

Ramseyer started off as an assistant to the golf coach, going from assistant to co-coach and then head coach in 1999. Ramseyer’s coaching career would expand off the links, taking on a plethora of basketball coaching roles as well.

“My department leader in mathematics was the head coach at the time and said he wanted an assistant,” Ramseyer said, “I told him “Well, I am not very good.” and he said that doesn't matter. He said he needed someone to help manage the team.” 

Whether it's in the classroom or on the golf course, Ramseyer has gone through his career with one goal: to help shape students into adults. Ramseyer’s teachings carry off the playing field, as he continues to turn his young team into men.

“It's really cool having him as a coach,” boys golf captain Teagan Kearney said, “He teaches the game well and the life lessons he teaches outside of the game. It's been an honor to have him for all four years.”

One of Ramseyer's foundations for life is basic kindness.

“I teach manners more than I teach golf,” Ramseyer said, “Holding the door, saying thank you, making sure you go above and beyond as a human being to represent not just yourself and your family but our high school.”

After almost 30 years of teaching and coaching, Ramseyer has seen plenty of faces walk through his doors. Ramseyer enjoys seeing what his former student athletes have gone on to do, with some even staying and giving back to the Mountain Pointe community.

“He was my math teacher back in, like, 2003 or 2004.” said Max Pincus, Mountain Pointe girls golf head coach, “So I've actually known him for a long time. He’s a great leader to have around.”

Pincus is just one of several Mountain Pointe success stories, with Ramseyer leaving an impact on just about every student and athlete he's taught.

“I tell young teachers all the time that you will never get an instant reward,” Ramseyer said, “Your reward is when they come back to see you and you see them as a successful adult. I still talk to just about every one of my golfers. It’s neat to make those connections.”

Ramseyer continues to teach math at Mountain Pointe alongside running the golf team. You can also catch Ramseyer at Desert Financial Stadium in the winter, doing the scorekeeping for Arizona State basketball. With a full schedule on his plate, Ramseyer shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

“I always tell kids that once you know me, you will never get rid of me,” Ramseyer said jokingly. “I will always do my best to help you.”