By Vinnie Manginelli, PGA
Tom Morton is a two-time National PGA of America Award Winner, earning the Youth Player Development Award in 2014 and the Player Development Award three years later. He’s also earned ten Northern California PGA Section awards, including Assistant Golf Professional of the Year, PGA Professional Development, Youth Player Development, Player Development, Bill Strausbaugh and Public Facility Merchandiser of the Year. The co-owner and PGA of America Director of Instruction at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in Sacramento, California, is also a Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) Elite Growth of the Game Teaching Professional.
Morton started playing golf when he was about 4 or 5 years old, learning from his dad, Ken Morton, Sr., a PGA of America Master Professional and PGA Hall of Fame Inductee. Morton grew up in Sacramento, California, and still resides in the capital of the Golden State today. He learned to play golf at the same facility that he co-owns and operates to this day.
“I played college golf at the University of California at Santa Barbara and knew I wanted to be in golf, but didn’t really know what direction until I graduated from college,” Morton recalls. “I figured that being in golf in some capacity would definitely lead to PGA membership.”
At Haggin Oaks, Morton and his team have increased their women’s golf participation through targeted fun, social and low-stress golf, where they have women mentors who play with each group and help them learn about the game. This innovative idea has created many lessons for their golf professionals, increased group programming and boosted club sales.
“We continue with all segments, whether youth or adults, to make sure we have something for everyone at whatever level they’re at and however hard they want to work to get better,” Morton explains. “I think ‘player development’ is highly misconstrued and overused within our industry as to what it truly means to have a quality ‘player development’ program. After all, I have always gravitated toward the teaching, coaching and player development aspect of the business, though I have worked in every part of the business.”
As 2025 gives way to 2026 in a matter of weeks, Morton looks to continue managing and growing the game at Haggin Oaks while giving his many COVID-era golfers the next step in player development and enjoyment in the game. This is how we retain players and create lifetime golfers.
“Passing along all I have learned in this space to help rear new professionals who understand the true importance of player development within our industry is a big part of my future,” Morton concludes.
