MEET THE TEAM
DEREK SWOBODA , PGA
DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTION
Derek is in his second year at John ’ s Island Club , following five years at Ocean Reef Club as Director of Instruction . During his tenure he was awarded the 2020 Teacher of the Year by the Southern Chapter of the SFPGA , Golf Magazine ’ s Teachers To Watch in 2021-2022 as well as 2023-2024 , Golf Digest ’ s Best Young Teachers in America in 2023-2024 , 2025-2026 and one of the best teachers in the state of Florida by Golf Digest in 2022- 2023 , 2024-2025 . With a background in biomechanics , Derek has studied the golf swing under some of the best in the world such as Mike Adams , Mark Hackett , Tony Ruggiero , Terry Rowles , Kellie Stenzel and many more . Derek is originally from Wisconsin . He now lives in Vero Beach with his wife Carly and two sons Oliver ( 3 ) and Theo ( 1 ).
TIM GILLIS , PGA
Tim is starting his 9th season at the John ’ s Island Club . Previously Tim has worked at Silver Spring Country Club , The Vineyard Club , Navesink Country Club , and Pebble Beach Golf Links . Tim is a graduate of Coastal Carolina University , a native of Massachusetts , and a loyal fan of all Boston Sports . He is very knowledgeable with all the equipment currently used in the game and works with Trackman , Blast Motion putting analysis , as well as , several other technologies .
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