Where Every Golfer Gets Better
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The Blackburn Academy gives every Greystone member access to the same coaching trusted by PGA Tour professionals. Six full-time coaches, one player-specific approach.

Meet Mark Blackburn

Since 2014, Greystone members have had access to one of the most respected golf instruction programs in the country through Director of Instruction Mark Blackburn—back-to-back Golf Digest #1 instructor, recipient of the inaugural Butch Harmon Award, and the 2020 PGA Teacher & Coach of the Year.  

Blackburn’s instruction is shaped by his experience at the highest levels of the game, with his client roster including prominent players like Justin Rose, Max Homa, and Matt Fitzpatrick.

Since founding the Blackburn Golf Academy, Blackburn has proudly called Greystone Golf & Country Club home, providing members with an unmatched instructional experience right here at the Club.

Discover Blackburn Golf

Why It Works

At the Blackburn Golf Academy, instruction is guided by Mark Blackburn’s proven Coaching Code—a player-centered framework built around the connection between the body and the golf swing. Through a progressive three-phase approach focused on swing fundamentals, skill development, and on-course performance, each program is tailored to help every player reach their individual goals.

Every lesson begins with understanding how a member moves physically and athletically. From there, instruction is customized to build a swing that is efficient, repeatable, and designed for long-term improvement.

That same philosophy is applied across every level of the game. With six full-time coaches, the Academy works with juniors, members, competitive amateurs, and PGA Tour professionals alike—delivering the same personalized, tour-tested approach that has made Blackburn one of the game’s most respected instructors.

Meet the Pros
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Mark Blackburn, PGA

Originally from England, Mark arrived in America in 1994 on a golf scholarship and built one of the country's most respected instruction programs from the ground up. He's been at Greystone full-time since 2014.

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Brian Speakman, PGA

Brian joined the Blackburn team in 2014 after years of teaching in Birmingham and running golf operations in Florida. He taught Nick Dunlap — the 2021 U.S. Junior Amateur champion and 2023 U.S. Amateur Champion. Now Lead Instructor and Operations Director, he oversees all programming at the Academy.

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Liz Mattioli, LPGA

UAB alum and former professional on the Duramed Futures Tour, Liz brings competitive experience to every lesson. She works with players at every level and serves as site director for LPGA/USGA Girls Golf, a program she's used to grow the game for young women in Birmingham.

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Layne Savoie, PGA

From competitive golf at Auburn to NCAA coaching at Arkansas and Florida State, Layne spent his career developing players at every level. He co-founded WedgeCraft (a science-based wedge play program) and now specializes in wedge and full swing instruction at the Greystone Performance Center.

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Parker Milam, PGA

Parker graduated from Mississippi State's PGA Golf Management Program with a double major in Marketing and Finance — trained under 2025 PGA Teacher & Coach of the Year Jason Baile. Originally from Destin, Florida, he joins the Academy with a focus on junior golf development.

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Glenn Garnett, Junior Player Instructor

Bio coming soon...

In Their Own Words

"The opportunities to learn and develop here are tremendous. Between the Blackburn Golf Academy onsite and the practice facilities, it’s an amazing place to develop skills."

—Laura Britt, [Member, Junior Golfer]

Bring Your Game to Greystone

The Blackburn Academy is just the beginning. Explore membership at Greystone.

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