Academy Director

Tom Carlson is co-Owner and Operator of the Summerlin Golf Academy. Tom and 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. He 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-six years. His career in golf started in West Hartford, CT. when he 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-eight years.

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? He 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. He 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-five 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, the golf academy was relocated to Angel Park Golf Club in Summerlin. Tom says “Summerlin and Angel Park are almost heaven. The move has been great and the facility is second to none.”

For more information call: (702) 300-4673.