John Sikes Golf Academy

John has been an award-winning PGA instructor and player for more than 25 years. He founded the John Sikes Golf Academy in 2015 to bring quality instruction, provided by a select variety of hand-chosen instructors, to the East Texas Community. Bringing the JSGA to the Golf Performance Center now joins John’s unmatched level of golf instruction with an unparalleled state-of-the-art practice facility.

John’s teaching philosophy begins with simplifying the golf swing. He believes that understanding the swing and how it works lays the best foundation for learning and for creating effective changes. Having never approached a golf lesson with a one-size-fits-all philosophy, John believes learning about the individual students, and understanding the basics of their own individual swings, is the most effective method to approaching all facets of learning and making forward progress. John’s decades of experience – both as a player and instructor – bring a unique ability to determine where a student is losing shots during a round. He particularly enjoys practiced “real life golf situations,” knowing that these lessons result in confidence on the course.

John believes golf is a game for absolutely everyone, and it has become a particularly special interest of his to work with students to overcome physical limitations or who are recovering from injuries or surgeries. John’s individualized teaching methods complement his philosophy of being a scoring coach, and results in unique success in students enjoying the game and reaching their full potential – their own best game.

Off the course, John is the proud husband of April, celebrating 38 years of marriage this year, and father of Jacob.

Stetson McMillan serves as Lead Instructor at the academy and has spent many years earning his reputation as a skilled teacher. A Lindale native, Stetson’s golf journey began at Lindale High School and continued at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he was a four-year letterman. Stetson competed professionally on numerous tours across the country, gaining valuable experience at a high level of competition. Stetson has successfully instructed many junior and collegiate golfers, as well as having served as Assistant Golf Coach at Stephen F. Austin. Stetson’s blended experience of playing, coaching, and mentoring has shaped him into an instructor who understands the game from multiple perspectives.

Stetson’s teaching philosophy is rooted in enthusiasm, optimism, and a genuine love for helping golfers improve. He enjoys working with players of all skill levels, and he takes pride in helping students become the best version of themselves both physically and mentally. Stetson believes great coaching goes beyond mechanics, and works tirelessly to continually learn about every facet of golf, thereby strengthening his development process. Stetson is known for simplifying complex ideas and helping players better understand how to approach each shot and situation with clarity and confidence. His goal is to make improvement feel attainable, enjoyable, and lasting.

Off the course, Stetson is a proud husband to his wife, Kaley, and father to their son, Porter – and expecting the newest addition this summer!

John Sikes Golf AcademyCorrey Davis, a Whitehouse native, brings a unique blend of teaching expertise, club fitting knowledge, and player-focused professionalism to the academy. A dedicated golf professional and accomplished club fitter, Correy began his career as an assistant golf professional before discovering a passion for equipment fitting. He went on to work for Titleist® as a Product Specialist, where he refined his skills and developed a deep understanding of how equipment influences performance. His experience includes attending Titleist’s Elite Club Fitter Summit, and he has been recognized as Ping’s® Power Fitter of the Year in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Correy’s approach to club fitting is highly data-driven, relying on Trackman® numbers and ball flight to guide decisions while keeping the player’s goals at the center of the process. For Correy, the most rewarding part of his work is seeing golfers’ enjoyment of the game increase because they now have the right tools in their hands.

Off the course, he is a proud husband to his wife, Sydney, and father to their daughter, Mabel Lucy – and expecting the newest addition this summer!

Jake Fischer joined the academy after graduating from Texas A&M University with a degree in Sport Management, bringing with him a strong background in analytics and player development. Jake is a Lindale native, and has built an impressive foundation in the game through a variety of roles. While at Texas A&M, he worked with the football team in Sports Science and Analytics, spent time with the 12th Man Foundation, and interned with TrackMan®. He also served as the East Texas Junior Tour Operations Intern for the Northern Texas PGA, has been involved with First Tee of Tyler, and has served as Assistant Golf Coach for the Tyler Junior College women’s golf team.

Jake takes a hands-on coaching approach, bringing genuine energy and enthusiasm to each lesson. He also incorporates his love for statistics and analysis, helping students clearly understand their forward progress. Whether helping a junior golfer build confidence or guiding a seasoned player toward measurable improvement, Jake is driven by the opportunity to continue to learn and to use that knowledge to make the game more enjoyable and rewarding for every student.

Off the course, Jake is an avid Colorado sports fan and an avid model planes enthusiast.

Seth Murphy brings to the Academy an elite playing background and a deep understanding of competitive golf. Raised in Athens, Seth was introduced to the game by his father at age four and developed into one of the region’s top junior and high school players. Playing golf for University of Arkansas, Seth ranked as high as No. 3 in the nation during his senior year, and recorded one of the four lowest rounds in Razorback program history. Seth went on to compete on mini tours, spend time at Royal Oaks Country Club in Dallas learning alongside renowned instructor Randy Smith, and to have notable success as an amateur, including three consecutive Hollytree Club Championships and a Cascades Club Championship, highlighted by an opening round of 11-under-par 61.

Seth’s competitive experience has shaped his belief that every golfer deserves an individualized path to improvement. He focuses on building confidence, establishing sound fundamentals, and creating a strategic approach tailored to each player’s goals, skill level, and learning style. Seth enjoys teaching students of all ages and skill levels, and remains passionate about helping golfers understand their swing, trust the process, and achieve lasting improvement.

Off the course, Seth is the proud husband to his wife, Megan, and father to their daughter, Marlee.

Jake Smelser has deep East Texas roots and a strong competitive golf background that continues to shape his work as an instructor. Growing up in Troup, Jake played high school golf and helped lead his team to a Texas State Championship. He went on to play collegiate golf at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree, with a focus in Sports Business, and his MBA, further strengthening his understanding of athletics and leadership. Jake has worked with the Northern Texas PGA as the East Texas Coordinator of Junior Tournament Competitions, gaining valuable insight into junior development and competitive golf at every level.

Jake’s philosophy centers on keeping instruction clear, manageable, and tailored to the student in front of him. He describes himself as a simple, patient instructor who prefers not to overwhelm students with technical information, unless necessary. Jake loves teaching because of the moments that make the game so special — the pure shot that surprises a player, the breakthrough they did not think was possible, or the goal finally achieved after hard work and patience.

Off the course, Jake is engaged to be married to Haylee Hill this Fall, and could not be more excited!

Jessica Simpson brings to the Academy a lifelong passion for golf, a competitive playing background, and a well-rounded perspective on health and performance. A standout junior and high school player, Jessica was a multi-year regional and state qualifier, finishing as state runner-up in 2005. She continued at McLennan Community College, competing on the golf team and earning Academic All-American honors. Jessica worked as an Assistant Golf Professional in Corpus Christi, serving at both Lozano Golf Center and Oso Beach Golf Course. Having obtained certifications as a personal trainer and nutrition specialist, Jessica adds a unique appreciation for discipline, performance, and helping others improve in every aspect of their game.

Jessica believes golf is far more than mere mechanics: it is a reflection of life, filled with lessons in patience, discipline, resilience, and self-awareness. Her coaching style is personal, encouraging, and centered on the individual. Rather than the idea of building a “perfect” swing, Jessica prefers to make smart, practical adjustments based on each player’s natural tendencies, working together to create clear goals and a realistic plan for improvement. She values building relationships with her students, making lessons enjoyable, and helping golfers leave feeling more confident, equipped, and excited about their progress.

Off the course, Jessica is the proud wife to her husband, Billy.