Golf Academy

Scott Shannon- Academy Professional- PGA member

Class A PGA Professional Scott Shannon is originally from the Midwest, where he began playing golf at age of 6.  He played at a high level all through High School where he had his first hole-in-one and earned the ability to play in two State Tournaments.  As an Amateur, Scott won many events with his low competitive round being 66.  Despite Scott's passion and playing ability as a +2 handicapper, he started a family and began his career in business working for a fortune 500 company.  Finally in 2005 he had to follow his dream of returning to golf and made a career change entering the PGA Golf Management program. He finished this very demanding program in less than 3 years.  
 
Since this time he has been an Assistant at 3 Private Clubs including the prestigious Hawks Ridge Golf Club in Ball Ground, Georgia.  Along with his passion for playing the game, Scott greatly excels as a teacher and coach.  He has led many Jr. Golf Programs, Ladies Clinics, and has experience teaching golfers of all skill levels from beginners to low handicap players.  
 
Most recently Scott has been the Director of Instruction at a very successful Golf Academy in Buckhead, GA.  While there he became the most requested instructor and conducted over 800 lessons using video analysis focusing on the swing plane/path of the club.  Scott offers individual lessons and packages for all levels that can be customized based on each player's short and long-term goals.  Scott's teaching philosophy incorporates 3 core areas:  Full Swing Motion which includes the set-up, Short Game (100 and in), and Course management.

Contact Scott at 419-297-1055 or by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

William Twitty- Academy Professional

William began golfing at the age of 7 with the encouragement of his father. He spent his days on the course as a junior growing up in Western North Carolina. As a child he learned the game from PGA Professional Donna Helms. He started teaching under the tutelage of Mike Lipnick (TPC Sugarloaf) and The Faldo Institute by Marriott Golf. He has worked alongside Daryl Batey (Charlie Yates East Lake), Heidi Mitchell (Stone Mountain Golf Club) and Jeff Jerrell (PGA Master Professional) at various teaching clinics in Metro Atlanta. William came to the Affiniti Golf Academy by way of Renaissance PineIsle Golf by Marriott Golf, TPC at Sugarloaf, and Stone Mountain Golf Club by Marriott Golf. William has worked exclusively with the Women in Golf Foundation based out of Atlanta GA, where he has worked with several junior golfers to earn Division I golf scholarships. William’s visions for students are being able to overcome their fear of the game, and mental capacity while playing the game with these 3 components, Grip, Alignment and Balance.

To schedule a lesson or clinics with William call (678)571-4427 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Tom Ness  Academy Professional - PGA Member

Tom Ness is ranked as one of the Top 50 Greatest Golf Teachers in the United States by Golf Digest, and One of the top 100 Golf Teachers by GOLFMagazine. He has authored numerous articles for Golf Digest including cover stories How to Upgrade Your Impact and Slam the Door on Your Slice. He is also featured in selected titles of the Golf Digest Learning Library video series, such as Putting for Profit, How to Hit It Longer, and Straighter and Getting Started Right. An exceptional golf teacher, Tom began his golf career under the tutelage of Davis Love, Jr., and Bob Toski. He has taught numerous players from each of golf’s major tours and has participated in golf schools all over the world. 

To schedule a lesson with Tom, please call 770-596-2213 or email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). 

Gordon Leslie  Academy Professional - PGA Life Member

Canadian born, Gordon Leslie, turned Professional at The Ridgewood CC in New Jersey. He became the Head Professional at Navesink CC in New Jersey, and remained there for 19 years. 

After leaving New Jersey, Gordon served as Director of Golf at Charleston National Golf Club for two years, at which time Hurricane Hugo destroyed the course. After Charleston, he became the Head Professional at Atlanta National Golf Club for the years 1991-1997. 

Gordon earned exempt status on The Senior Series Tour and began a period of playing senior events. He qualified and played in the U.S. Senior Open at Congressional CC, and competed in two PGA Seniors Championships in Palm Beach, Florida. Gordon has won Low Professional Titles in Ireland, Scotland, Portugal, Pebble Beach, and Palm Spring. He won the Bermuda Open, as well as a 3-time winner of the Belmont Invitational in Bermuda. 

Gordon has attended PGA Teaching and Coaching Summits in Dallas, New Orleans, Florida and Nashville. He also became a certified instructor in Natural Golf. After four years as a Teaching Professional at the PGA Tour Superstore, Roswell, GA., Gordon is now a Teaching Professional with the Affiniti Golf Academy at the Alpharetta Athletic Club East. Gordon is a Life Member of the PGA of America. 

Call Gordon at 770-855-3578 or contact him by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Chris Janis Director of Golf, Class A PGA Member

Chris began playing the game of golf at the age of 11 and played varsity golf for Lancaster High School located just east of Buffalo, New York. During his senior year, Chris was co-captain of the ECIC Division 1 championship team. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the University at Buffalo.

After college he moved to Atlanta and started his career at Crooked Creek Golf Club as an outside service employee and worked his way up to Assistant Golf Professional within a few months. Chris is now the Director of Golf for both the East and West Course. He has organized and managed several clinics and group lessons and enjoys teaching all ages and skill levels.

Contact Chris at 770-475-2300 ext 115 or  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).