Melissa Williams

Please indicate past awards won/recognitions:
GRAA Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional, Other (Indicate specific awards below in 3-a)

Other awards won:
2024 NFPGA Section Professional Development award, 2023, 2025 & 2026 SW Chapter Professional of the year award, 2023 SW Chapter Bill Strausbaugh award, 2026 SW Chapter Hall of Fame

Total number of individual lessons given per year:
Male: 140
Female: 400
Junior: 100 Individual, however we host the First Fee of Sarasota Manatee Chapter. This is a lot of Jr. Golf during the year.

Total number of individual clinics given per year:
60

Please indicate any Growth of the Game initiatives your facility/academy has launched over the past year (please give specifics on such programs):
The program is designed for new golfers, starting from bag drop and continuing to the driving range and golf course. We begin at the facility's front entrance, where we discuss important topics such as signage, how to tip properly, dress codes, cart driving etiquette, and general conduct while playing.

Next, we move to the driving range to learn the fundamentals of golf, including grip, aim, setup, ball position, and swinging mechanics. The following sessions focus on full swing techniques, while the last two lessons concentrate on the short game, including chipping, putting, and bunker play.

This comprehensive eight-session program provides participants with a solid foundation, including one session on the course.

The other initiative focuses on par 3 holes and how to effectively manage them. We have two on-course sessions where participants learn the proper way to play a par 3. They explore aspects they may not typically notice and identify key features to look for. This initiative has been very popular, as the hands-on experience allows them to engage with real scenarios on the course.

Please share any programming you have made to keep your customers & students engaged:
Along with the above offerings of growth of the game initiatives, I have a clinic or two each week that covers different aspects of the game.
Chipping
Pitching
Putting (short putts)
Putting (lag)
Bunker (greenside)
Bunker (fairway)
Distance control work 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 yard work
Driving
Hybrids
Fairway woods
Uneven lies
Lob shots
"Funky" lies

These clinics are spread out throughout the season and roll over once the cycle is done. Also have free putting clinics for women's golf day and we have added a putting contest before the member guest in October. This was very popular.

For the experienced golfers, Flightscope unit is used for skills to get them sharp for events.

Support the First Tee program by hosting their programs at Tara Golf & Country Club all season long. Tuesday nights, 3 sessions, loads of kids. SUPPORT JR. GOLF!