Carthage Golf Course has exceptional golf instructors.
Mark Peterson, PGA – Mark is the PGA Head Professional at Carthage Golf Course. Mark has been a top-tier instructor in the Midwest Section PGA for many years. 2018 will be Mark’s 25th year as a Class A PGA Professional. Mark’s professional career began in 1989 as an Assistant Golf Professional at Grandview Golf Course (currently Bill and Payne Stewart Golf Course) in Springfield, Missouri. Mark worked under PGA Professional Dorl Sweet and Top 100 PGA Teaching Professional Rick Grayson. Mark spent those formative years working with two of the best instructors in the golf world. The 7 years in Springfield were spent teaching and coaching golfers of all abilities. Mark played a diverse professional event schedule during those years as well, competing in PGA Section events along with the various developmental tour events that came through the four state area. Mark moved on to be the PGA Head Professional at Carthage Golf Course in 1996. Mark Continues to be an active PGA Instructor in our golf market. Mark works hard to continually improve his teaching skills by attending and interacting in various PGA Teaching and Coaching seminars. Mark uses modern technology to help his students understand their golf swing and to help them improve at a fair pace. FlightScope launch monitors, up to date video applications and various teaching aids are all part of the technology used to help students perform better. Mark works alongside many other PGA Members in the Midwest Section giving his time and teaching skills to junior golf and growing the game.
Private Instruction Fees
- 50 minute instruction session$75
- 50 minute instruction session$50For Carthage Golf Course Members and Carthage Men’s/Women’s Golf Association Members.
Taylor Griffith was born and raised in Carthage, MO. As a child, Taylor spent all of his time at the golf course, practicing, playing, and learning from anyone that would entertain his questions. As Taylor got older, he began entering junior tournaments and quickly realized that his love for the game extended beyond casual weekend rounds. As a sophomore in high school, Taylor qualified for the varsity golf team, and by his senior year their team won the conference and district tournaments and took 2nd at the state championship. Following high school Taylor signed to play golf at Southern Nazarene University, qualifying for the NAIA national championship in 2008, and then transferred to Missouri Southern State University for his final two years of college eligibility.
Following college, Taylor worked at Twin Hills Golf & Country Club in Joplin, MO, as the assistant golf professional for six years. There he began giving golf lessons and learned under the supervision of PGA Professional Doug Adams. Throughout his career, Taylor also received golf lessons and learned about golf instruction from Lowell Catron, high school golf coach, Mark Peterson, PGA, Rick Grayson, PGA, and Rick Neal, PGA. In 2016, after four years of hard work, Taylor was elected to the PGA of America as a Class A PGA member. Later that year Taylor accomplished a life-long dream and qualified for the 2017 PGA Professional Championship.
For the last two years, Taylor has been traveling the country and playing full-time professional golf. In addition to his playing career, Taylor is excited to partner with Carthage Golf Course as their new teaching professional. Griff’s Golf Academy will offer personalized golf instruction in a modern and unique way. The experience that Taylor has gained as a successful high school and college athlete, as well as a full-time playing professional, will be invaluable to students of all playing levels.
