Academy Director

Tom Carlson is the director & founder of the Summerlin Golf Academy. Tom, his wife Jane, and daughters Amanda and Rebecca have enjoyed calling Summerlin their home since 1998. Tom and Jane relocated to Las Vegas from the East Coast back in 1982 where they ran their own golf operation. Tom has worked in all facets of the golf industry, General Manager, Head Golf Professional and Director of Instruction at various clubs throughout the country. Tom is also proud to be a member of the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) of America.

Tom Carlson has been a golf professional for the past thirty five years. His career in golf started in West Hartford, CT. when Tom was thirteen years old. His love affair with the game of golf has never had a dim moment. After playing high school and college golf, Tom turned professional and worked in Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and back to Connecticut. Tom moved to Las Vegas in 1982 where he has spent the last twenty-seven years with his wife Jane and daughters Amanda & Rebecca.

In 1985, Tom decided he would teach full-time. He knew he needed a proven system to teach. From past experience, Tom knew he could help players improve, but could he take them all the way? Tom quickly turned to his friend Jim Colbert. Jim put Tom in touch with his Master Instructor, Jimmy Ballard of Miami, Florida. Tom's playing career had been fairly successful, but he never achieved the level of success he had imagined as a kid. Tom realized after working with Ballard that the only thing that kept him from reaching his goals was ultimately knowledge, not determination. Tom spent years studying Ballard's theories.

To establish himself as a Master Instructor, and give something back to the game of golf, Tom needed students with little exposure to the game of golf. The answer was crystal clear, create a junior program, keep the price down, and commit for the long haul.

Tom has dedicated the last twenty years to teaching junior golfers and has also worked with some of the best players in Las Vegas, both professionals and amateurs. The opportunity to share his knowledge of the game with junior golfers of all levels is his true passion.

In October of 2004, Tom relocated his junior academy to Angel Park Golf Club in Summerlin where he has been a resident since 1998. Tom says “Summerlin and Angel Park are almost heaven. The move has been great and the facility is second to none.”

For more information on Tom and his programs call: (702) 300-4673.