Instructors

John McGough

John McGough tees off with Bernhard Langer, two time Masters Champion and World Golf Hall of Fame Member in the 2011 U.S. Senior Open Chamionship. Photo Courtesy of John Hogan

   Lakewood Golf Club is excited to announce the addition of John McGough, a native of Greenville, Mississippi, to our golf professional teaching staff. Long regarded among Touring and Club Professionals as one of the finest instructors and players in the South, John has been exposed to the greatest teaching minds in the game and taught many of the  best, including Payne Stewart.
 

Along with playing in the 2011 U.S. Senior Open at Inverness Club, John also participated at the Inverness Club in the 1979 U.S. Open. Photo Courtesy of John Hogan

Playing Career

   A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he was a two-time All America, a three-time All Atlantic Coast Conference selection and Captain of the Men’s Golf Team, McGough won the prestigious North and South Amateur in 1979 beating Scott Hoch in the final. The Tarheel was also a member of the 1978 NCAA All Star Team consisting of eight players and competed against the Japanese College All Star Team at Pebble Beach that year. He won five Mississippi state golf titles including the 1977 Mississippi Open as well as two Arkansas Opens. The 1979 Golf Digest Annual Magazine ranked McGough seventh in the nation in men’s amateur golf.

   John turned professional in1980 and competed on the PGA Tour and world golf circuits through 1992. He won countless mini tour events and even posted a top ten finish on the PGA Tour when he tied for 5^th place at the 1981 Magnolia Classic. A three-time U.S. Open Championship participant, he earned full exempt status on the Asian Professional Golf Tour in 1982 and 1983.

   Turning fifty in 2007, McGough qualified for the PGA Champions Tour with an 8^th place finish at the Champions Tour Qualifying Tournament in Coral Springs, Florida. The golf journeyman went on to play in several events including the 2008 Senior PGA Championship at Oak Hill C.C. and the 2009 Senior U.S. Open at Crooked Stick G. C. in Indianapolis.

Johns appearance in the 2011 U.S. Senior Open was his 6th major championship. Photo Courtesy of John Hogan.

Teaching Career

   McGough’s golf instructional career has included stops at many prestigious golf clubs in the South including Amelia Island Golf Resort in Fernandina, Florida.  Later, he spent several years on Long Island where he was lead instructor at Fresh Meadow Country Club, host to two major championships, before becoming Director of Instruction at The Muttontown Club.

  Talking about the golf swing McGough said, “Looking back on it, I guess my curiosity about the golf swing and its mechanics goes back to childhood, and my pursuit of that knowledge has never stopped,” McGough continued, “I’ve been very lucky throughout the years to have known and worked with so many great teachers and players that it’s been a continuing education. I always tried to watch and listen.”

    Before moving to New Orleans from Jacksonville, John was often found the driving range at TPC Stadium Course giving lessons to members of The PGA Tour including rookie Matt Every, veteran Vance Veasey, and Bubba Dickerson, the 2001 U.S. Amateur Champion and recent Nationwide Tour winner.

   McGough commented, “It’s fun to work with the PGA Tour Players, but what I really find rewarding is teaching golfers of all handicaps, especially beginners and kids. I enjoy their smiles and sense of accomplishment which I find very gratifying.”

   Jimmy Headrick, of our PGA Staff added, “It is vital to the health of a golfing establishment to have highly competent instructors not only for the enjoyment and improvement of the member’s games but also, to promote the growth of the game. We are thrilled to have an instructor of  John’s caliber and experiences join our professional staff as a full time instructor. He’s a world class teacher that’s simply God gifted, and a lot of fun to be around. I know the membership will enjoy getting to know him and laughing and learning with John on the practice tee and on the course.”

   John McGough is available daily and can be contacted direct at 904-697-9398 or at the Lakewood pro shop at 504-373-5926