The Villages Golf Academy
BRAND NEW from the Academy.
Now you can reach out to your favorite TheVillages golf instructor directly via email!
The Villages Golf Academy - Instructors
- Trent Reeves
- Mitch Adcock
- Nicole Gerome
- Craig Griffin
- Joey Hidock
- Wade Martin
- Suellen Northrop
- Tom Talbott
- David Sherman
Trent Reeves
PGA
Senior Manager of Golf Academy
Palmer Legends
Trent is a dedicated class A member of the PGA of America. He spent 22 years as the Director of the Dave Pelz Scoring Game School in Boca Raton, Florida.
During this time Trent coached over 100 Tour Players. To compliment his teaching career, Trent also competed in several mini tour events and PGA of America
section events. Trent's teaching philosophy is to make golf simple, natural, and athletic. By helping students understand the natural and athletic movements
of a golf swing the students can have more fun playing golf while improving. He has a teaching style that makes the students feel at ease and comfortable as
they progress. Trent believes that with a knowledgeable and a caring coach, EVERYBODY can improve and enjoy this great game we call golf.
® The Crest is a registered trademark of The Professional Golfers' Association Limited
Mitch Adcock
Former PGA Tour Player
Palmer Legends
Mitch Adcock has been a dedicated playing pro with more than 40 years of experience. Mitch began his PGA Tour career in 1978 after graduating from Mississippi State University with All SEC honors. Mitch has been teaching at the Villages Golf Academy for 6 years. While his tour days have come to a close, he looks forward to sharing his passion and knowledge for the game with his students.
Nicole Gerome, US Kids Certified Instructor
Palmer Legends
Nicole Gerome is a playing professional who has played mini-tours across the country. While Nicole continues to love competition, she has found a passion for coaching. Nicole is a U.S. Kids certified instructor with over five years of experience. She provides instruction to all age groups and playing levels from beginners to tour professionals. She has been mentored by two Plane Truth instructors during her playing career. Nicole believes the game of golf is a puzzle and brings the pieces together through simple teaching methods.
Craig Griffin, PGA
Sarasota Practice Center
CCraig Griffin has been a PGA member for 26 years and has been teaching golf for The Villages Golf Academy for over 18 years. He has caddied on the PGA Tour for tour players Mark O'Meara and David Gossett. Craig believes in finding a way to improve a student's golf game based on their athletic ability and sometimes limitations. A full understanding of the fundamentals is the start to a repeatable golf swing and better overall game. Craig enjoys creating a relaxed fun atmosphere and believes in teaching each student to use their individual ability to make changes to their ball flight.
Joey Hidock
TaylorMade Staff Member
U.S. Kids Certified Coach
Sarasota Golf Practice Center
Joey Hidock is a dedicated Class A member of the PGA of America with over 25 years teaching experience. He has had the privilege of working with many of the best players in the world which included caddying on tour for PGA tour player and Ryder Cup Captain, Tom Lehman. He has been fortunate to have worked with some of the best teachers that include Nancy Lopez, Phil Rodgers, and Kathy Whitworth. His tremendous research and dedication helped to assist in the development of Swing Model, a leading sport Science Company based on the application of Biomechanical research to the teaching of athletic performance. Joeys core strengths are the ability to motivate people about their golf game and his passion for teaching the game.
Wade Martin, PGA, Youth Development Manager
U.S. Kids Certified Coach
4 Putting Elements Certified Instructor
Palmer Legends
Wade Martin is a dedicated Class A member of the PGA of America and has been since 1990. Wade has been a US Kids Certified Coach since 2015 and earned the ranking of Top 50 Master Kids coach in 2018.
In 2016 Wade was instrumental in launching The Villages Junior Golf Academy which has grown to over 100 members. Since the launch of The Villages Junior Golf Academy, Wade has won the NFPGA ECC youth
Player Development award on three occasions, 2018, 2021, and 2024. Wade is currently the Golf Coach of The Villages High School boys golf team. In two separate stints, Wade has led the boys’ teams to four
District Championships and two State Finals appearance in 2017 and 2022. Wade believes that every golfer learns and performs differently. His goal is to create customized skill development instruction
that is beneficial to each individual golfer.
Suellen Northrop, LPGA
Palmer Legends
Suellen Northrops passion for golf was ignited when, as a teen-ager, she attended a NGF Golf Clinic led by LPGA Founder Shirley Spork. Now,
Suellen brings her credentials as a Class A LPGA Teaching Professional and a Level Two Plane Truth Instructor, along with 40 years of knowledge,
experience, wisdom, and passion to enable people to play better golf to The Villages. She comes here from Admirals Cove, Jupiter, Fl,
where she was the teaching professional. Prior to that Suellen ran her own golf school at Bristol Harbour in Canandaigua, NY,
and helped establish the Chautauqua Golf Learning Center where she headed a highly popular summer-long golf school.
Suellen has said, People dont all learn the same way. Once I know HOW someone learns, I can tailor the WHAT they need to know to improve their golf game. That�s my passion
.
Tom Talbott, PGA
AimPoint Cerified Instructor
Sarasota Golf Practice Center
Tom Talbott is a Class A member of the PGA of America and brings over 25 years of teaching experience to The Villages Golf Academy.
Tom owned the Meridian Golf Learning Center in Denver, Colorado, where he was a highly decorated instructor.
He is the 2007 Colorado PGA Teacher of the Year and was voted "Best Teachers in State" by Golf Digest Magazine ten years in a row.
Tom is a member of two elite groups of global instructors. He is an Authorized Golfing Machine Instructor receiving his doctorate level in 2017.
Tom is also certified in AimPoint, a green reading technique used by many top professionals, and their caddies. He has also worked with some of the top sports psychologist in the industry
and is a Ping Top 100 Club Fitter. Tom strongly believes you only have to play golf well enough to satisfy you.
His vast knowledge, experience, and passion uniquely qualify him to help you reach your golfing goals.
David
Sherman
PGA, U.S. Kids Certified Coach
4 Putting Elements Certified Instructor
Lopez Legacy
David has been a golf professional for more than 34 years and a PGA Member for just over30 years. He is a PGA Certified Teaching professional with 28 years of teaching experience
working with students of all skill levels (beginners to top amateurs) and works withstudents of all ages. Most recently, 2014-June 2018, he was the Lead Certified Golf Instructor and
owner of the Watters Creek Junior Development Program, in Plano, TX, with more than 65 full time junior students enrolled in this year round program.
From 2011-2014 David was the Lead Certified Golf Instructor at Canyon Creek Country Club, Richardson, TX, operating six player development programs for all members and their guests.
David also enjoyed his time as the Head Men's and Women's Golf Coach, 2000-2011, at Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, TX. During that time HSU qualified for five National Championship
tournaments and twice he was voted NCAA National Golf Coaches Association Coach of the Year for 2003-2004 and 2005-2006.
Wade Martin, PGA, Youth Development ManagerU.S. Kids Certified Coach
4 Putting Elements Certified Instructor
Palmer Legends
Wade Martin is a dedicated Class A member of the PGA of America and has been since 1990. Wade has been a US Kids Certified Coach since 2015 and earned the ranking of Top 50 Master Kids coach in 2018. In 2016 Wade was instrumental in launching The Villages Junior Golf Academy which has grown to over 100 members. Since the launch of The Villages Junior Golf Academy, Wade has won the NFPGA ECC youth Player Development award on three occasions, 2018, 2021, and 2024. Wade is currently the Golf Coach of The Villages High School boys golf team. In two separate stints, Wade has led the boys’ teams to four District Championships and two State Finals appearance in 2017 and 2022. Wade believes that every golfer learns and performs differently. His goal is to create customized skill development instruction that is beneficial to each individual golfer.
Suellen Northrop, LPGA
Palmer Legends
Suellen Northrops passion for golf was ignited when, as a teen-ager, she attended a NGF Golf Clinic led by LPGA Founder Shirley Spork. Now,
Suellen brings her credentials as a Class A LPGA Teaching Professional and a Level Two Plane Truth Instructor, along with 40 years of knowledge,
experience, wisdom, and passion to enable people to play better golf to The Villages. She comes here from Admirals Cove, Jupiter, Fl,
where she was the teaching professional. Prior to that Suellen ran her own golf school at Bristol Harbour in Canandaigua, NY,
and helped establish the Chautauqua Golf Learning Center where she headed a highly popular summer-long golf school.
Suellen has said, People dont all learn the same way. Once I know HOW someone learns, I can tailor the WHAT they need to know to improve their golf game. That�s my passion
.
Tom Talbott, PGA
AimPoint Cerified Instructor
Sarasota Golf Practice Center
Tom Talbott is a Class A member of the PGA of America and brings over 25 years of teaching experience to The Villages Golf Academy. Tom owned the Meridian Golf Learning Center in Denver, Colorado, where he was a highly decorated instructor. He is the 2007 Colorado PGA Teacher of the Year and was voted "Best Teachers in State" by Golf Digest Magazine ten years in a row. Tom is a member of two elite groups of global instructors. He is an Authorized Golfing Machine Instructor receiving his doctorate level in 2017. Tom is also certified in AimPoint, a green reading technique used by many top professionals, and their caddies. He has also worked with some of the top sports psychologist in the industry and is a Ping Top 100 Club Fitter. Tom strongly believes you only have to play golf well enough to satisfy you. His vast knowledge, experience, and passion uniquely qualify him to help you reach your golfing goals.
David
Sherman
PGA, U.S. Kids Certified Coach
4 Putting Elements Certified Instructor
Lopez Legacy
David has been a golf professional for more than 34 years and a PGA Member for just over30 years. He is a PGA Certified Teaching professional with 28 years of teaching experience working with students of all skill levels (beginners to top amateurs) and works withstudents of all ages. Most recently, 2014-June 2018, he was the Lead Certified Golf Instructor and owner of the Watters Creek Junior Development Program, in Plano, TX, with more than 65 full time junior students enrolled in this year round program. From 2011-2014 David was the Lead Certified Golf Instructor at Canyon Creek Country Club, Richardson, TX, operating six player development programs for all members and their guests. David also enjoyed his time as the Head Men's and Women's Golf Coach, 2000-2011, at Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, TX. During that time HSU qualified for five National Championship tournaments and twice he was voted NCAA National Golf Coaches Association Coach of the Year for 2003-2004 and 2005-2006.
