Meet the Battle Born Team

Joe Sawaia has dedicated more than 30 years to growing the game of golf as an educator, coach, mentor, and accomplished competitive player. A graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with degrees in Education and Educational Administration, Joe spent 29 years in the Clark County School District while building one of Nevada's premier high school golf programs.

As Head Coach at Coronado High School from 2001 to 2021, Joe guided his boys and girls teams to 13 Nevada 5A State Championships, earned 15 Sunrise Region Coach of the Year honors, and helped 33 student-athletes earn NCAA Division I golf scholarships. His coaching career also includes serving as Assistant Coach for the UNLV Men's Golf Team, Captain of Team Nevada at the Junior America's Cup, Co-Captain of the Nevada Hogan Cup Team, and Tournament Director for the Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association. In recognition of his lifelong contributions to the game, Joe was inducted into the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame in 2025.

Joe continues to compete at an elite level as an amateur golfer. His accomplishments include a quarterfinal appearance at the 2025 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship, victories in the Southern Nevada Golf Association Championship and the Nevada State Mid-Amateur Championship, and the 2025 Clark County Senior Amateur title.

As a Partner at Battle Born Golf, Joe is passionate about helping junior golfers develop their skills, navigate the college recruiting process, and maximize their potential. His mission is to educate, mentor, and create opportunities that prepare young athletes for success both on the golf course and in life.

Grant McKay is dedicated to helping junior golfers develop their games, compete at the highest levels, and successfully navigate the journey to collegiate golf. As Co-Director of Competitions for the Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association, Grant oversees the planning and execution of premier junior tournaments while collaborating with organizations such as the AJGA and Junior Golf Scoreboard to create meaningful competitive opportunities for young players.

Grant previously served as a USGA P.J. Boatwright Intern with the Southern Nevada Golf Association, where he gained experience in tournament administration, handicapping, membership development, and marketing. He has also instructed introductory junior golf programs and helped organize youth golf clinics, giving him valuable experience working with players of all ages and skill levels.

A competitive golfer himself, Grant qualified for the 2019 U.S. Open Sectional Championship and competed collegiately at Trine University, where he served as team captain. He later earned his degree in Finance and Economics from Grand Canyon University. Throughout his career, Grant has combined competitive experience with a passion for leadership, player development, and growing the game.

As a Partner at Battle Born Golf, Grant is committed to educating junior golfers and their families about long-term player development, tournament scheduling, and the college recruiting process. His goal is to provide every athlete with the knowledge, opportunities, and support needed to reach their full potential on and off the course.

Mark Cheney, MEd, MA, helps competitive golfers perform at their best when the pressure is greatest. A Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) listed in the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee Mental Performance Directory, Mark serves as Director of Mental Performance at Faith Lutheran Middle School & High School in Las Vegas. He previously worked as a mental performance coach at IMG Academy, where he specialized in developing competitive golfers.

A four-year collegiate athlete at Rhodes College in both basketball and golf, Mark combines nearly three decades of coaching, teaching, and consulting experience with graduate training in performance psychology and educational leadership. His clients include ambitious junior golfers, NCAA Division I athletes and teams, and players who have advanced to LPGA Tour competition.

Mark has also coached eight state championship golf teams and nine individual state champions. As a certified GolfPsych instructor, TPI-certified coach, and former First Tee instructor, he takes an integrated approach to performance development. His work helps golfers understand how pressure affects performance, build trust in the skills they've developed, and consistently perform closer to their true potential when it matters most.

As Performance Consultant for Battle Born Golf, Mark equips junior golfers with the mental skills needed to compete with confidence, develop resilience, and thrive in tournament golf, college athletics, and beyond.