Inside Derek Morrison's Golf Development Program: Creating Success Stories at Sugar Mill

Every golfer knows the feeling. Hours at the range, new equipment, same high handicap.

Maybe you're the busy professional who dreams of breaking 80 but can't find time between meetings. Or perhaps you're the retiree with all the time in the world but no clear path forward.

What if the problem wasn’t the swing, but the approach?

Derek Morrison, Director of Golf at Sugar Mill Country Club, has spent over two decades solving this problem. He's heard every frustration, seen every struggle, and he's guided hundreds of players to breakthrough moments they never thought possible.

"I tell our group of professionals here that it's so individual," Derek explains. "You can't just take a cookie-cutter approach. Some people are mechanical, some people learn by feel. You need to get to know each person, understand their personality, whether they're Type A or laid-back. That's how we create progress."

A few years ago, Derek overheard a familiar complaint at the club's bar. "I was hearing working women at happy hour saying, 'Man, I want to learn how to play golf. I just don't have time," Derek recalls. 

His response was simple: “'Well, you're already here.'"

That moment sparked the creation of Clinic and Cocktails, combining friendly rounds with even friendlier banter over a few drinks. At Sugar Mill, Derek has built a comprehensive program that meets golfers where they are—whether juggling a demanding career, starting from scratch, or pushing toward competitive excellence.

"I've seen this place grow up, and it's just a great place to be," Derek says.

Creating Competitive Excellence

Derek doesn't just fix slices. He builds competitors. 

Sugar Mill's competitive programs allow every player to test their skills and celebrate their progress.

"Two years ago, we added what's called our Championship Series, and it's been a big hit," Derek shares. "We have a list of several tournaments where players earn points based on how they finish. It's become a race for Player of the Year at Sugar Mill—like our own FedEx Cup."

Members now plan their entire year around these events. But when beginners discover their competitive edge, something special happens.

Derek recalls one of his favorite success stories. "Back when I was an assistant, two ladies joined the club who didn't play golf at all. They came to my Saturday clinic every single week," he remembers. "When I returned as Director of Golf years later, they were in the midst of everything—playing all the tournaments. It was quite fulfilling to see that."

The program also nurtures young talent. Derek mentions a recent junior player: "She started with me two years ago and just became a freshman who made her varsity team. She was breaking 40—that's exceptional for her age." 

When asked about recognizing such potential, Derek simply says, "You just know when someone has it."

Derek's system creates clear pathways from recreational play to competitive excellence.

Technology Meets Tradition: The Modern Approach to Golf Instruction

The old ways of golf instruction are quickly fading away, replaced with something more methodical.

"We used to fit golf clubs just by watching ball flight and letting our eye tell us what was needed," Derek reflects. "Now, being able to slow everything down with technology and letting the student actually see and understand what's happening—it's amazing. It really accelerates their progress quickly."

Technology alone doesn't create breakthroughs—expertise does. Derek's approach starts with understanding each player, and he documents every member's journey with swing progression videos. 

"I have a camera roll full of videos that I use to show players their swings, comparing where they are now to where they started," he says. "It motivates them and keeps them engaged when they can actually see their progress."

A new virtual golf studio will take this even further. Members will be able to practice on famous courses year-round, get PGA Tour-level club fittings, and access advanced instruction.

Yet even with these cutting-edge tools, Derek never loses sight of what matters most.

"Once players get past the mechanics, we take instruction out onto the course," Derek notes. "You can learn positions on the range, but you need to become an athlete on the course. That's where strategy comes in—teaching them to pick targets on the horizon, not just aim at the fairway."

Building a Golf Community

After two decades at Sugar Mill, Derek knows what drives lasting improvement.

"This place is definitely like a family," Derek emphasizes. "Everybody knows everybody, and it's very generational too. The members I knew back then—their kids are now members, enjoying life here. That continuity creates something special."

Here, golf improvement happens in a community, not in isolation.

"The members have ownership in the course, in the club, and they want it to be great. It's not about what the club can do for them—it's about how they can make the club better. That's such a refreshing environment and culture. It's really fun to come to work every day."

This is how you break through stubborn plateaus. When you join a community where everyone, from the Director of Golf to your playing partners, is invested in your success, it makes improvement much easier. At Sugar Mill, you don't just find better golf. You find your golf family.

Discover what membership at Sugar Mill could mean for your game.