Co-Owner/ Director of Instruction

SARA GRIFFIN

I was born and raised in Federal Way, WA, and started playing golf at age 8 at Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club.  I was a four-year letterman on the boy’s high school team before signing on to play for the Oregon State University Women’s Golf Team. Upon graduating, I became the assistant coach for the OSU Beavers. After two years of assisting, I was offered the head coach position at University of San Francisco. Between 1997 and 2005, I developed a Top-25 ranked team, secured a West Coast Conference Championship and made eight consecutive NCAA Regional appearances.  In 2005, I returned to the Pacific Northwest to begin work at Tacoma Country & Golf Club. I earned my Class A PGA Membership in 2009. Currently, I am in my 5th season as the Pacific Lutheran University Women’s Golf Coach.

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Additional Achievements: 2019 & 2015 PNWPGA Section Youth Player Development Award Winner | 2019 Top 50 Operation 36 Coach | PGA.coach & ADM Certified | 2017 WWCPGA Player Development Award Winner | 2011 & 2013 WWCPGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year | Certified U.S. Kids Golf Coach | PAX Community Educator – Completed Mastery and Certification in 2012 | Heart Math Certified Coach | 4-Year Letter Winner FWHS Boy’s Golf Team | Oregon State University Women’s Golf Team Member | BS in Zoology from OSU

Co-Owner/Teaching Professional

CHRIS GRIFFIN

My golf career began at the age of 9 and I haven’t stopped since. In 2000, I turned professional and in 2006 became a Class A Member of the PGA. I had spent my teen years working the bagroom of Tacoma Country & Golf Club, and eventually worked my way up to first assistant at TCGC. In 2009, I set off to pursue a full-time PGA Tour career, playing on the Canadian Tour and various mini tours while attending PGA Tour Qualifying School. After four years of tour experience, I returned to TCGC to continue teaching. In 2013, I won the Washington State Open, and have been a consistent top 10-player in the PGA’s Pacific Northwest Section. I have also been a member of the Hudson Cup Team 8 times.

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Additional Achievements: 2019 Western Washington PGA Teacher of the Year | Pacific Northwest Section Assistant Golf Professional of the Year 2006 | 2007 PNWPGA Assistant’s Champion 2007 | Top 7 Pacific Northwest Section Player of the Year Points 2005 to 2008 | Western Washington PGA Match Play Champion 2003 & 2007 | 8-time Hudson Cup Player | 2004 and 2005 Washington Open 6th and 5th place finisher, respectively | 2nd and 4th place finisher at 2006 and 2005 Roasauer’s Invitational, respectively | 2005 Nationwide Tour (now Korn Ferry Tour) competitor at Shadow Hills, OR

Teaching Professional

CARISSA SHAW

Carissa Shaw (Simmons) is the newest additional to our staff. She was raised in Boise, Idaho and played college golf at the University of Montana. She has worked as an Assistant Golf Professional for the past seven years and has decided to follow her passion and become a full time teacher! She has played golf since the age of 5 and the game has had such a significant impact on her life and where she is today. Her career goal is to introduce and attract as many people to the game as possible and help them find the love and passion in a game they can play for a lifetime.

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Additional Achievements: 2019 PNWPGA Deacon Palmer Award Winner | 2017 Pacific Northwest Section Assistant Golf Professional of the Year | Titleist Performance Institute Certified Professional | University of Montana Golf Team Member | Three time Big Sky All Conference | First Tee of Greater Seattle Certified Coach | Golf in Schools Instructor | BS in Marketing & Management from UM