Education

Guest speakers

  • PGA of America Member Professional

  • Golf Digest #1 Teacher & Coach in America (2024–2025 & 2026–2027)

  • PGA of America National Teacher & Coach of the Year (2020)

  • Named a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher since 2010

Mark Blackburn, PGA

Golf Digest #1 Teacher & Coach in America

Mark Blackburn, PGA, is one of the most respected instructors in the modern game and the founder of Blackburn Golf. A PGA Professional and former collegiate golfer at the University of Southern Mississippi, Blackburn has developed a high-performance coaching system that blends sport science, modern technology, and personalized instruction to help golfers maximize consistency and performance.

As Director of Instruction at the Blackburn Golf Academy at Greystone Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama, he works with elite amateurs, collegiate players, and many of the game’s top professionals. His client roster includes major champions and PGA Tour stars such as Justin Rose, Collin Morikawa, Max Homa, Matt Fitzpatrick, Gary Woodland, Daniel Berger, and Russell Henley.

Dr. Morris "Mo" Pickens

PGA Tour Sports Psychologist

Dr. Morris “Mo” Pickens, Ph.D., is a Sports Psychologist, Performance Enhancement Specialist, and author who helps golfers and athletes of all levels perform at their best. Based out of the Sea Island Golf Performance Center, Dr. Pickens uses a structured, research-backed approach to help players improve on-course thinking, preparation, and foundational skills. Teaching them how to score better by thinking better.

He has worked with elite PGA Tour professionals, including Zach Johnson, Stewart Cink, Lucas Glover, Keegan Bradley, Nick Watney, Kyle Stanley, and Davis Love III, helping them develop the mental strategies necessary to succeed at the highest level. In addition to coaching, Dr. Pickens has authored books on golf psychology, including Learn to Win: One Shot at a Time, Learn to Win: A Major, and The Winning Way in Golf and Life. Beyond golf, he also consults with NFL, MLB, and NASCAR athletes, as well as corporate teams seeking performance and leadership insights.
  • Top Golf Sports Psychologist, listed in Golf Digest’s Top 10
  • Performance Coach to PGA Tour Players with 33 wins and 4 majors
  • Has had 6 players reach #1 in the World Amateur or Junior Rankings.
  • 3 time published author on golf performance and mental training
PGA MEMBER REGISTRATION
NON-PGA MEMBER REGISTRATION
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Agenda
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Event History

BUSINESS ATTIRE

7:15 AM

Breakfast & Registration Open

8:00AM

Dr. Mo Pickens

9:45AM

Foresight Sports/Bushnell

10:15AM

Mark Blackburn

12:15PM

Lunch & End of Day

 

For the members of the Metropolitan PGA, the Educational Summit is an annual sign of spring and the start of the new golf season. In 2026, we continue the tradition of this prestigious event, which has a long history of attracting cutting-edge presenters. Last year’s 2025 Summit took place at iconic Bethpage State Park and featured the Ryder Cup trophy on display, celebrating the excitement of a Ryder Cup year in New York. That event highlighted top teachers and leaders from golf, business, and sports industries, including Mike Jacobs, 2025 PGA of America National Professional Development Award winner, and Erik Henrikson, Ping’s Director of Golf Science.

The Summit’s legacy is built on an unparalleled lineup of past presenters, including Butch Harmon, David Leadbetter, Hank Haney, Jim McLean, Brad Faxon, Michael Breed, Sean Foley, James Sieckmann, Mike Bennett, Andy Plummer, Stan Utley, Todd Anderson, and Mike Shannon.

In addition, the Summit has showcased a wide range of influential teaching philosophies and innovators from across the game, including John Redman, Jimmy Ballard, Paul Runyan, Craig Shankland, Bob Toski, Carl Lohren, Mike Hebron, Mike Adams, Fred Shoemaker, Rick Martino, Paul Marchand, Mike McGetrick, David Pelz, Suzy Whaley, Rick Jensen, Jim Hardy, Mike Bender, David Wright, Richard Coop, Lynn Marriott, Pia Nilsson, Greg Rose, Dave Phillips, Chuck Cook, and Sasho MacKenzie.

Together, these presenters represent decades of innovation and excellence in golf instruction, reinforcing the Educational Summit’s reputation as a premier learning experience for Metropolitan PGA professionals.

title sponsors

In its fourth consecutive year as title sponsor of the Met PGA Education Summit, Foresight Sports, the leading launch monitor and golf simulator company, continues to showcase its performance data technology. The company helps PGA Professionals learn how to use cutting-edge tools to elevate both their own game and the games of their members.

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For more than 65 years, Bushnell has been a leader in high-performance sports optics. In golf, Bushnell Golf continues to set the standard in distance-measuring technology, producing innovative rangefinders trusted by players and professionals worldwide and maintaining its position as the #1 rangefinder in golf.

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presenting partner

Cobra Puma Golf, a long-standing partner of the Metropolitan PGA, is proud to be the presenting partner of the 63rd Met PGA Educational Summit. Known for innovation and performance in golf equipment and apparel, Cobra Puma has consistently supported the Met Section through programs, events, and player development initiatives.

At this year’s Summit, Cobra Puma will be on-site showcasing their latest products and giving attendees the chance to receive exclusive gear. We greatly appreciate their continued partnership and dedication to the growth of golf in the Met Section.

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