Clark A. Peterson, PGA, TPI-CGFI
Golf Instructor/Owner
Clark Peterson is the founder and Lead Instructor for the Golf Performance Academy (GPA).
Prior to co-founding GPA, Clark spent six years as GM/Director of Golf at The Moors Golf Club and nine years as the Head Golf Professional at the Country Club of Peoria (IL). Originally from Champaign, he graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1988, where he played on the Panther Golf Team.
Clark, a Certified Golf Fitness Instructor through the Titleist Performance Institute, has studied the golf swing and trained hundreds of students, including several professionals and elite amateur golfers, over the past 22 years. His junior programs at Peoria and The Moors produced over 25 collegiate golfers and countless high school golfers.
Clark, a PGA Member since 1992, trained under some of the finest golf professionals in the country including Master Professional and PGA Golf Professional of the Year (1993), Don Kotnik (Toledo CC), Bill Ogden (Bermuda Dunes CC & North Shore CC), Tim O’Neal (North Shore CC), and Robert Powers (Skokie CC). His teaching background was formulated by working with the before mentioned professionals and his uncle Mike Peterson, Director of Instruction at the PGA Learning Center in Port St. Lucie, FL.
During his time in Peoria, Clark was the recipient of the CIPGA Golf Professional of the Year Award (1998 & 2001), CIPGA Merchandiser of the Year (1994 & 2002), and CIPGA Bill Strausbaugh Award (2000). He served on the Illinois PGA Board of Directors (1997-98), CIPGA Executive Committee (1996-2002) and as CIPGA President (1997-98).
As a competitive player in the Illinois PGA, Clark set the CC of Peoria course record (65) in 1999, qualified for the National Club Professional Championship (1998), finished runner-up for CIPGA Player of the Year three times, and played on five Heartland Cup Teams (1999-2003). In 2007, Clark set the course record at The Moors with a score of 64. He continues to play competitively in regional and national PGA Events.
Besides golf, Clark also enjoys baseball, cycling, and running. He has finished 14 marathons. Clark has three children, Hannah (15), Craig (12), and Kalli (7 months). He currently serves as the Assistant Golf Coach for the Western Michigan University Golf Team and is married to former Lady Bronco golfer Kimberly Stafford, who is a Financial Advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors.
Scott Miller, PT, MS, SCS, CSCS, TPI-CGFI
Physical Therapist
Scott Miller is a TPI Certified Golf Fitness Instructor for the Golf Performance Academy (GPA).
As Partner/Director of Clinical Operations at Agility Physical Therapy & Sports Performance in Portage, Scott is a physical therapist and Board Certified Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy. With advanced training and certification in strength and conditioning, Scott has worked with every level of golfer in the correction of musculoskeletal imbalances to improve their golf swing.
A native to the area, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1994 and a Master of Science in 1998 from Grand Valley State University. Scott is also a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and Certified Golf Fitness Instructor through the Titleist Performance Institute.
Scott has been published and lectures at a local, regional and national level on various topics in physical therapy. He continued to pursue advanced education and training in foot & ankle biomechanics, manual therapy and the McKenzie method for evaluation and treatment of spinal disorders. Scott is an active member in the American Physical Therapy Association, Sports Physical Therapy Section, and a Board of Trustee member and Secretary for the Institute of Education and Research of the Michigan Physical Therapy Association.
Outside of work, Scott enjoys playing golf and is a tri-athlete. He most recently competed in and finished the Ironman Triathlon in Panama City, FL. Scott and his wife Kathy have two beautiful daughters, Lyndsey (11) and Sydney (7).
Cedric Russell
Golf Instructor
Cedric comes to Golf Performance Academy with 28 years of experience playing golf and 12 years as a golf professional.
After turning professional is 1999, Cedric competed on the California Mini-Tour Circuit with several top ten finishes. While competing, he trained to play and teach at the prestigious Encinitas Ranch Golf Club and the PGA of Southern California under California Teacher of the Year, John Mason. He also trained under Master Professional, John Reilly at the Jim McLean Golf School.
Cedric returned to Michigan and established himself as an assistant golf professional and instructor at Eastern Hills Golf Club in Kalamazoo. While at Eastern Hills, he coached the Kalamazoo Christian High School Golf Team to a third place finish in the state tournament and the individual state champion.
With 10 years of teaching and coaching experience, Cedric brings high level instruction to GPA. His calm and professional demeanor allows him to have success with beginning golfers as well as the elite tournament player.
Jerry Stenstrom
Club Repair Specialist
Jerry serves as the Golf Performance Academy's club repair technician and club builder.
After many years of repairing and building clubs for family and friends, Jerry became a Certified Club Repair Specialist at the Mitchell Golf Company's certification program. His extensive knowledge of shafts, repairs, and techniques allows him to serve the customers and students of GPA with the utmost professionalism and service.
A native of the area, Jerry graduated from Vicksburg High School where he played on the school's first golf team in 1966. After spending eight years in the US Army and five years on the East Coast, he returned to the area and took a job at Upjohn (Pharmacia/Pfizer). He retired from Pfizer in 2008 after a thirty year career. He and his wife Jayne of thirty-three years reside in Schoolcraft.
Jared Tinklenberg
Golf Shop Associate
Bio coming soon
George Peterson
Marketing/Operations
George brings his years of expertise in banking and golf to the Golf Performance Academy.
The father of GPA Founder Clark Peterson, George spent thirty-five years in banking. An avid golfer, he is the twin brother of Mike Peterson, PGA Director of Instruction at the PGA Learning Center in Port St. Lucie, FL. After retiring from banking, he spent three years as the Director of Golf at Stone Creek Golf Club in Urbana, IL.
Besides golf, George is active in softball and baseball leagues in his winter home of Ft. Myers, FL. An exercise enthusiast for all of his life, he has completed three marathons and several half marathons. He and his wife Sheri celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last September. George resides in Portage for 7-8 months and Florida for the other months. He also has another son Tony and five grandchildren.