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Our Instructors

Whatever discipline you need, we have it all under one roof. Fitness in the morning, followed by swing analysis, and then club fitting later in the day, our experts are here to help. Two of Golf Digest’s “50 Best Teachers in America,” one of Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 Instructors in America,” two Golf Digest “Best Young Teachers in America,” three Golf Digest‘s “Top 100 Fitters in America,” and one of Golf Digest‘s Best International Teachers. With our multi-faceted approach and instructors who are at the top of their game we’re ready to guide every level of player, from young ones starting out to top PGA TOUR professionals.

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100 Retreat Avenue
St Simons Island, GA 31522

Improve Your Game Today!

855-572-4975

Jack Lumpkin

In Memoriam

Senior Director of Instruction

“One of America’s 50 Greatest Teachers” – Golf Digest (every year since 2000)
Georgia Hall of Fame and Athens, Georgia Athletic Hall of Fame, and Golf Magazine Hall of Fame inductee.

Leader, mentor, visionary. But most of all, friend. Jack Lumpkin was a part of the Sea Island family for 33 years.

Long recognized as one of America’s top golf instructors. Lead teacher at Golf Digest schools around the world for 24 years. Accomplished player, including qualifying for three U.S. Opens and one PGA Championship. Co-designer of our first Golf Performance Center and creator of our teaching foundation. In fact, the very spot where he used to take his students to block out the north wind (once known as Lumpkin’s Tee), is where our new facility now stands. Jack Lumpkin was more than our Director of Instruction, he was a true legend. An example to us all in how he carried himself every day. We’ll always remember the lessons he taught us, the lasting relationships he created, and the joy and excitement he held for doing what he loved to do. His legacy will live on here at Sea Island.

golf instructors

Elite Instruction

Men Practicing Golf

Craig Allan

Golf Performance Center Director & Master Club Fitter
  • Titleist Regional Fitting Center, 2007-19
  • Titleist Premier Fitting Partner, 2020-present
  • Titleist Top 100 Fitter, 2004-present
  • Mizuno Top 50 Fitter, 2004, 2008-10, 2012-present
  • Mizuno Top 100 Fitter, 2005, 2011
  • Ping Regional Fitter of the Year, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2016, 2021
  • Taylormade Tuned Performance Premier Fitter, 2013-18
  • TaylorMade Premier Fitting Center, 2019-present
  • TaylorMade National Fitting Council, 2018-present
  • Golf Digest Top 100 Fitter, 2013-present

Craig Allan received his initial Club Fitting in South Africa, and since graduating college in Alabama, has worked at several well-recognized facilities in the Southeast. Allan is a nationally renowned fitter who is certified at the highest level with all major club companies’ fitting systems and has extensive experience with the Trackman Launch Monitor.

PGA TOUR Students: Davis Love III, Zach Johnson, Brian Harman, Harris English, Jonathan Byrd, Garrick Higgo, and Keith Mitchell

Gale Peterson at the Sea Island Golf Learning Center

Gale Peterson

Elite Instructor
  • Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 Teachers” 2012, 2017, 2021
  • LPGA Top 50 Teachers 2022-2023
  • “One of America’s Top 100 Teachers” – Golf Magazine
  • LPGA National Teacher of the Year
  • Georgia PGA Teacher of the Year
  • America’s Top 50 Teachers 2002–2012
  • Golf Digest‘s “Top 50 Women Teachers” 2014
  • Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 Teachers” 2012, 2017
  • Golf for Women’s “Top 50 Teachers” 2012
  • LPGA “Top 50 Teachers”
  • Black Ink, “Top 10 Golf Teacher”

A PGA and LPGA Member, Gale Peterson has taught at Sea Island for more than 30 years. Peterson is one of the mentors/presenters for LPGA, PGA AND NCAA Women’s Coaches Educational Programs throughout the country. She is on the Board of Directors for LPGA Education Division and the PGA National Education Board. Peterson’s experience has earned her numerous accolades, including National LPGA Teacher of the Year, Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers and LPGA’s Top 50 Teachers. Peterson has appeared as a guest instructor on national television broadcasts such as the Golf Channel, ESPN, FOX and NBC’s Today. Peterson co-authored LPGA’s Guide to Every Shot and is a contributor to FOX Sports “Inside Golf Magazine,” Golfer’s MD, and Golf Magazine. She continues to instruct players of all talents and ages and prides herself on helping players reach their potential and become their own best coach. Personalities such as Sam Nunn, Bob Schieffer, Marguerite Salle, and Mort Kondracke have worked with Gale to improve their games and become their own best coach. Gale teaches all aspects of the game and specializes in wedge play.

LPGA Tour Students: Dori Carter, Karlin Beck, Alison Whitaker, and Stephanie Connelly

Dr. Morris Pickens

Sports Psychologist and Performance Specialist
  • Students have 28 PGA TOUR wins since 2005
  • Three students have won four Majors (Masters, 2007, Zach Johnson; US Open, 2009, Lucas Glover; Open Champion, 2009, Stewart Cink; Open Champion, 2015, Zach Johnson)
  • More than 200 wins by amateur students of all levels (junior, college, and amateur)
  • Has had six students ranked as the #1 amateur in the U.S. by GolfWeek
  • Seven college teams have won numerous tournaments including one National Championship (Clemson, 2003)

Dr. Morris M. Pickens received his Ph.D. in sports psychology from the University of Virginia in 1995. During this time, he focused his research and consulting interests in the area of golf psychology, specifically the acquisition of putting confidence. Dr. Pickens has provided sports psychology consulting for numerous PGA, LPGA, Web.com, and Champions tour players and authored The Winning Way in Golf and Life. In addition to working with professional golfers, Dr. Pickens has also provided performance enhancement consulting for other athletes including the NFL and MLB, and conducts leadership seminars for companies of all sizes.

PGA TOUR Students: Zach Johnson, Jonathan Byrd, Stewart Cink, Kyle Reifers, John Rollins, Blayne Barber, and Nick Watney

Randy Myers

Randy Myers

Director of Fitness
  • Director of Nike Golf Performance—Swoosh Advisory Staff
  • Golf Digest Professional Advisor
  • Golf Digest One of the 50 Best Golf-Fitness Trainers in America
  • 20 years’ experience as a trainer on the PGA TOUR
  • Titleist Performance Institute founding advisor
  • Titleist Performance Institute Hall of Fame inaugural class – 2019

Randy Myers joined Sea Island Resorts as Director of Fitness in 2005, having previously served as Director of Fitness and Personal Training at PGA National Resort & Spa since 1992. Myers’ Masters thesis topic, “A strength training and flexibility program for recreational golfers,” helped establish the standards for golf exercise conditioning. His articles have been featured in Sports Illustrated, Golf Digest, and on PGATOUR.com and authored Fit for Life Fit for Golf. He works closely with twelve PGA TOUR players as well as many college golf teams such as Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, East Carolina, and South Florida. Myers’ students have won more than 100 tournaments on Nationwide, LPGA, and PGA Tour.

PGA TOUR Students: Davis Love III, Lucas Glover, Jonathan Byrd, Charles Howell III, Zach Johnson, Chris Kirk, David Toms, Brendon deJonge, Brian Harman, Luke Gutherie, Justin Leonard, and Billy Horschel.

Phi Kenyon

Phil Kenyon

Director of Putting Instruction

“One of the Best International Teachers” – Golf Digest

  • PGA Professional
  • MSc Sports Science
  • BSc (Hons) in Applied Psychology and Sport Science
  • English Golf Union Head Putting Coach
  • Scottish Golf Union Elite Squad
  • Spanish Federation National Squads
  • Consultant to Spanish Federation High Performance Centre

Phil is one of the most sought-after specialist putting coaches in the world and has worked with many of the world-leading players. Before developing a career as a coach, Phil was a professional golfer who competed worldwide as a tournament professional. Prior to his career in professional golf, Phil completed a Master’s Degree in Sports Science. Phil’s background in sports science brings a cutting edge to putting instruction which when combined with his experiences as both player and coach means that his putting instruction is always pushing the limits and looking for new ways to help golfers.

Past and Present Students: Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose, Lee Westwood, Louis Oosthuizen, Martin Kaymer, Branden Grace, Alex Noren, Tommy Fleetwood, Francesco Molinari

Jared Zak

Jared Zak

Elite Instructor

“One of America’s Best Young Teachers” – Golf Digest

  • #7, Top Instructors in Georgia, Golf Digest, 2009

Jared Zak, a PGA Professional since 2004, began teaching at Sea Island in 1999. Zak has taught in golf schools under the direction of Bob Toski, Mac O’Grady, Butch Harmon, and Ben Doyle. He has also trained under the expert direction of renowned professionals Jack Lumpkin, Todd Anderson, and Scott Davenport. Named one of the top 20 instructors under the age of 40 by Golf Digest, Zak also was named by Golf Digest as one of the top 10 instructors in Georgia. His teaching successes include top-ranking junior and collegiate players. Zak enjoys working with players of all levels from beginners to accomplished tour players.

LPGA TOUR Player: Katie Burnett

Daniel Gray

Daniel Gray

Elite Instructor

“One of America’s Best Young Teachers” – Golf Digest

  • Georgia PGA Teacher and Coach of the Year 2022
  • Illinois PGA Teacher of the Year Nominated 2013, 2014, and 2015
  • Illinois Horton Smith Award Nomination 2014 and Winner 2016

Since he began teaching in 2001, Daniel has taught at some of the top private clubs in the country, most recently the Director of Instruction at Skokie Country Club in Glencoe, IL. Daniel also taught with the Wildcat Golf Academy in Chicago, IL, which is a developmental program run through the University of Northwestern golf coaching staff, for high school players striving to play collegiate golf. Daniel has traveled around the country to observe some of the best minds in the game and has worked with golf biomechanics such as Dr. Robert Neal, Mike Duffy, and Dr. Young Kwon. He has also trained under Jack Lumpkin, Mike Shannon, Gale Peterson, Dr. Morris Pickens, and Randy Myers here at Sea Island. His focus is on creating long-term performance programs for players striving to play competitive youth golf, college, or professionally. He also works with mid handicappers on developing the skill sets needed to lower their scores.

Tour Students: Jonathan Byrd

Justin Parsons

Justin Parsons

Elite Instructor

“One of America’s Top 100 Teachers” – Golf Magazine

  • Nominee as Notable Instructor – Golf Digest
  • MEGA Golf Instructor of the Year, 2016/2017
  • Titleist Brand Ambassador

Justin Parsons is originally from Killinchy in Northern Ireland. He joins our team after serving as the Director of Instruction at The Butch Harmon School of Golf in Dubai since 2011 where he had the opportunity to be mentored by Butch Harmon and his son and respected coach, Claude Harmon III. Justin is a Titleist Advisory Staff member and a Titleist Performance Institute Level 3 Golf Professional Certified coach. He is a specialist in 3D analysis and functional movement screening, and has had success working closely with many leading players on the PGA, ET and Asian Tours.

TOUR Students: Louis Oosthuizen (Open Championship winner), Charl Schwartzel (Masters winner), Peter Uihlein (PGA Tour winner), Mike Lorenzo-Vera (European Tour player), Paul Dunne (European Tour Player), Darren Clarke (Open Championship winner and Champions Tour Player), and Gary Woodland (US Open Champion)

Chan Reeves

Chan Reeves

Elite Instructor
  • Georgia PGA North Chapter Teacher of the Year, 2002, 2005
  • Georgia PGA Section Teacher of the Year, 2005

Chan was born in Americus, GA, and played collegiately at Georgia Tech from 1987-1991. As a junior golfer, he learned to play the game from Davis Love, Jr. and Jimmy Hodges at the Sea Island Golf Club. After college, he played professionally for three years and then started his career in the golf business at Ansley Golf Club in Atlanta in 1995. In March of 1997, Chan moved to the Atlanta Athletic Club where he taught all levels of players both as a Teaching Professional and Director of Instruction over a 24 year period. He has helped more than 40 juniors both male and female reach their goal of playing collegiate golf. Chan joined the Sea Island Golf Performance Center in 2021 as an Elite Instructor.

TOUR Students: Keith Mitchell

Senior Instructors

David Angelotti

David Angelotti

Senior Putting Instructor
  • Golf Digest‘s “Best Young Teachers in America” 2021
  • PGA Certified
  • Putting Solutions Certified by Phil Kenyon
  • Flatstick Certified by David Orr
  • Aimpoint Certified Level 1
  • SAM PuttLab Level 3

David Angelotti, a PGA professional since 2011, began his teaching career under the tutelage of the Jim McLean Golf Schools. During his tenure with JMGS, he achieved the Master Instructor classification. David regularly travels to observe and learn from some of the best minds in the game. His love for the game, specifically putting, has grown since his very first lesson. He has continually sought out short game specialists such as James Ridyard, John Graham, Kevin Weeks, Mark Sweeney, and many more. David accredits his passion and knowledge of putting to two specific individuals, Phil Kenyon and David Orr. David has spent numerous hours with these fantastic coaches to help hone his craft. David takes pride in the opportunity to work with all ages and skill levels from beginners to accomplished players guiding them to achieving their goals.

Chrissy Felton

Chrissy Felton

Senior Instructor and Group Golf Professional
  • Georgia PGA Youth Player Development Award, 2019
  • U.S. Kids “Top 50 Master Kids Coach, 2019
  • U.S. Kids “Top 50 Kids Coach, 2017, 2018
  • Georgia PGA Youth Development Award, 2016
  • Teacher of the Year, Georgia PGA, East Chapter, 1997
  • Competed in the 1989 Ladies U.S. Amateur Championship
  • U.S. Kids Golf Honorable Mention Top 50 Kids Teacher, 2014, 2015, 2016
  • Completed the Positive Coaching Alliance – Double-Goal Coach: Coaching for Winning and Life Lessons
  • U.S. Kids Golf Certified Coach

A PGA professional since 1995 and LPGA member since 1997, Chrissy Felton began her golf career at the Sea Island Golf Performance Center in 1992. She became a teaching professional after many hours of observing several of the top instructors in Golf Digest schools and in private instruction. She studied under noted golf professionals Jack Lumpkin, Scott Davenport, Gale Peterson, Tom Ness, Bob Toski, and Lousie Suggs. As a junior golfer, Felton was a student of the late Davis Love, Jr. and Jimmy Hodges. Felton’s golf career includes collegiate golf at Furman University, post-college amateur and professional competition. She competed in many tournaments including the 1989 Ladies U.S. Amateur Championship.

Mike Cook

Mike Cook

Senior Instructor
  • Georgia PGA Champion 1998
  • NCAA Third Team All American & All SEC 1st team
  • Top 15 Teachers in Georgia, Golf Digest 2001
  • Georgia PGA Teacher of the Year/East Chapter 1994, 1996
  • NAIA National Coach of the Year 2014, 2015
  • Golf Coaches Association of America Coach of the Year/Dave William’s Award 2014, 2015
  • SSAC Conference Coach of the Year, 2014
  • SSAC Conference Male Sports Coach of the Year, 2014
  • GCAA South Regional Coach of the Year 2014, 2015
  • 2016 Arnold Palmer Cup Team USA Captain
  • Georgia PGA Junior Golf Leader, 2007
  • Georgia PGA Player of the Year, 1991
  • Georgia PGA Assistants Champion, 1991
  • Played Professionally 1983–1986
  • South African Sunshine Circuit, NGA & Space Coast Tours

Mike Cook joined Sea Island Golf Club as a teaching professional in 1991. Cook was selected among the top 15 teachers in Georgia by Golf Digest and has been named teacher of the year by the Georgia PGA East Chapter three times. He plays a large role in the development of Sea Island’s renowned junior golf program and, in 2007, the Georgia PGA named him Junior Golf Leader. Cook’s teaching successes include work with top junior, collegiate, and professional players. A University of Georgia graduate and member of the university’s golf team, he was named to the NCAA All-American team in 1982 and went on to play professionally from 1983-1986, including the 1984 South African Sunshine Circuit. He has coached and taught nineteen collegiate All Americans and thirty-one Collegiate Medalists, including a Naia Medalist and Atlantic Coast Conference medalist. Since 2010 Mike has been the Golf Director of Men’s and Women’s golf programs at the College of Coastal Georgia and is the Men’s Head Coach. College of Coastal Georgia won the Men’s NAIA.

Tom Hemmings

Tom Hemmings

Senior Golf Fitness Specialist
  • Masters of Science – Kinesiology (MS)
  • Bachelors of Exercise Science (BS)
  • Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES)
  • Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES)
  • Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
  • Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Fitness Level 2
  • Technogym Master Trainer

Tom Hemmings joined Sea Island in 2015 as an exercise specialist after completing his Masters Degree in Kinesiology. Tom’s experience with a variety of professional athletes has allowed him to customize his scientific approach when training golfers of all levels. Tom collaborates with our top instructors to ensure the exercise program focuses on areas that will enhance golf performance. He utilizes corrective exercise techniques, as well as strength and conditioning elements to ensure that all areas of fitness are considered when developing a periodized plan for each individual. Tom has seen success with his players who have earned PGA Tour wins, a Ryder Cup selection, college scholarships, and junior-level wins.

PGA TOUR Students: Harris English, Hudson Swafford, Michael Thompson, Jonathan Byrd, Sepp Straka

Junior Golf

Victor de Sola

Senior Instructor
  • 2012 Georgia PGA East Chapter Champion
  • 2012 Georgia PGA East Chapter Teacher of the Year
  • Qualified for Professional National Championship, 2006
  • Placed 3rd in Georgia Section Championship. 2004
  • Winner of Georgia’s PGA Eddie Wiggins Classic, 1997

Part of the Sea Island teaching staff since 1998, Victor de Sola taught golf schools under the direction of nationally known instructors Scott Davenport, Jack Lumpkin, and Todd Anderson. He has extensive experience and success teaching players of all skill levels, from beginner to professional. Fluent in Spanish, Victor played professionally from 1986 to 1989 and has been teaching ever since.

Jeff Nelson

Jeff Nelson

Senior Instructor
  • US Kids Certified Coach
  • Trackman Certified
  • 2012-2015 US Kids Honorable Mention Top 50
  • Positive Coaching Alliance
  • Presenter at the 2013 GSGA Junior Golf Summit

Jeff Nelson, PGA member, joined the Sea Island team in the Spring of 2018 after having a very successful 17-year career at Druid Hills Golf Club in Atlanta. From 2010–2017, he served as Director of Instruction and during that time, he was able to help develop one of the city of Atlanta’s premier junior golf programs. His focus is on creating long term golf development programs for youth, high school and collegiate players. Jeff enjoys teaching all areas of the game and works with players of all levels from the beginner to the accomplished player.

Curtis Leggett

Master Club Fitter
  • Titleist Regional Fitting Center, 2007-19
  • Titleist Premier Fitting Partner, 2020-present
  • Titleist Top 100 Fitter, 2001, 2004-present
  • Mizuno Top 50 Fitter, 2004, 2008-10, 2012-present
  • Mizuno Top 100 Fitter, 2005, 2011
  • Ping Regional Fitter of the Year, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2016, 2021
  • Ping National Fitter of the Year, 2002
  • Taylormade Tuned Performance Premier Fitter, 2013-18
  • TaylorMade Premier Fitting Center, 2019-present
  • Golf Digest Top 100 Fitter, 2013-present

Curtis Leggett, a St. Simons native, has been at the Sea Island Golf Club since 1984. Leggett received his initial training under Ray Cutright building Sea Island Classic Persimmon woods and iron sets. Leggett is a nationally renowned fitter who is certified at the highest level with all major club companies fitting systems and has extensive experience with the Trackman Launch Monitor.

PGA TOUR Students: Davis Love III and Keith Mitchell

Assistant Instructors

Jeffery Cammon

Jeffery Cammon

Club Fitter
  • Titleist Regional Fitting Center, 2016-19
  • Titleist Premier Fitting Partner, 2020-present
  • Titleist Top 100 Fitter,2016-present
  • Titleist Top 100 Fitter, 2016-present
  • Mizuno Top 50 Fitter, 2016-present
  • Ping Regional Fitter of the Year, 2016, 2021
  • Taylormade Tuned Performance Premier Fitter, 2016-18
  • TaylorMade Premier Fitting Center, 2019-present
  • Golf Digest Top 100 Fitter, 2016-present

Jeffery joined the Sea Island team in 2013 and has worked his way up through the golf department. A great player and long-time student of the game, Jeffery has found his passion in clubfitting and enjoys working with players of all ages and abilities. Having studied under the direction of the renowned Sea Island Golf Performance Center Fitting Staff, Jeffery is well versed and trained in the fitting systems of all the major club brands as well as the Trackman Launch Monitor.

Marshall Collins

Club Fitter

Marshall is a decade-long PGA Class A member through the Professional Golf Management program at Florida State University. During school and after graduating, he pursued a golf career throughout the country where he landed at a club in the Greater Jacksonville area and ultimately at Sea Island in 2022. Studying under the direction of the renowned Sea Island Golf Performance Center Fitting Staff, Marshall is well versed and trained in the fitting systems of all the major club brands as well as the Trackman Launch Monitor.

Joe Foley

Joe Foley

Instructor

The son of Master Teaching Professional Chris Foley, Joe grew up in Brainerd, Minnesota, with a high passion for the game of golf. He played four years of college golf at Grand View University where he was a part of the 2016–2017 NAIA National Championship team, and at Gustavus Adolphus College where he graduated with a degree in Business Management in May of 2020.

Garrett King

Instructor

After competing in junior and collegiate golf at Charleston Southern University, Garrett spent several years playing professionally on various developmental tours throughout the world before pursuing a career in golf instruction. He has trained and observed extensively over the years with several highly-ranked instructors across the United States. Garrett arrived at Sea Island in 2020 and serves as a member of the Player Development Program team and works with golfers of all ages and skill levels to develop a long-term plan for success.

Administration