Matt Collis has led a rich and varied career, qualifying as a PGA Professional nearly 20 years ago, before trying his luck on the mini tours around the world.
For the past nine years he has worked at the world-renowned Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, and he has been the Director of Golf at the Florida resort since 2022.
Here he shares his story and explains how there has always been a rich history of British PGA Professionals in this corner of Florida.
What did the early days of your career look like after qualifying as a PGA Professional?
I joined The PGA at 18 and qualified fully in 2007 through the Foundation Degree programme, I was in the first cohort through the new system. From the outset, I was conscious that I didn’t want to take a linear route through the industry. I wanted to understand golf not only as a coaching profession but as a broader business built around people, culture, and service.
I grew up at Castle Royle Golf Club and began my career there as an Assistant Professional. At the time, the club was owned by Clubhaus, then the largest golf club owner and operator in Europe, which provided early exposure to a highly commercial operating model. That experience was valuable in understanding scale, consistency and the commercial realities of running golf operations across multiple sites.
I completed my PGA training at East Berkshire, where I spent five years and was immersed in a more traditional, member owned, private club environment. That contrast between commercial and private club models was eye-opening, as it highlighted how different cultures, governance structures and member expectations shape the way clubs operate.
I then spent a brief but formative period with the Royal Marines. While short, that experience had a lasting impact, reinforcing the importance of structure, accountability, teamwork and leadership under pressure. Those lessons stayed with me long after I returned to golf and still to this day.
From there, I worked across a variety of club and commercial roles, including running academies for Crown Golf and later working at Camberley Heath in Surrey. At 26, I became Head Professional at Caversham Heath Golf Club (now The Caversham) in Reading. Alongside my club work, I maintained a strong interest in playing competitively, which allowed me to test myself and better understand the demands placed on players trying to improve and perform.
Looking back, that breadth of experience was invaluable. Each role helped shape how I think about leadership today – particularly the importance of clarity, consistency and setting standards that people can buy into.
What type of events did you play in?
I spent time qualifying for the Sunshine Tour in South Africa and competing on mini tours in the United States. That phase of my career was both challenging and extremely educational, as well as a lot of fun!
Competing internationally gives you perspective very quickly. You experience different conditions, cultures and levels of competition, and you learn how important preparation, support systems, and adaptability are if you want to perform consistently. Those lessons have stayed with me and now directly influence how we approach coaching, learning and player development at Lake Nona.
Pictured: PGA Member and Director of Golf at Lake Nona, Matt Collis
How did you become the Membership Director at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in 2017?
My introduction to Lake Nona Golf & Country Club came through professional relationships built over time. Golf is a relationship-driven industry, and those connections can often lead to meaningful opportunities.
During my time competing in the United States, I had played golf with members at Lake Nona, and through those relationships I was introduced to the club’s leadership when the position became available. What followed was a structured and thorough interview process involving senior leadership and members of the board.
Each stage of the process focused on different aspects of the role – from membership strategy and brand positioning to governance, culture and long-term sustainability. I was asked to present a detailed business and marketing plan outlining how I would approach membership at a private club of Lake Nona’s stature. That included analysis of the existing membership profile, demand forecasting, brand messaging and how the golf operation and broader lifestyle offering could be positioned cohesively.
My education through The PGA played a significant role in preparing me for that process. The programme’s emphasis on business planning, governance, communication and strategic thinking gave me the framework to approach the role professionally rather than transactionally.
What resonated most during those discussions was a shared belief that membership isn’t simply about numbers. It’s about alignment with the club culture. Every new member has an impact on that culture, and the responsibility of the role is to ensure that growth enhances, rather than dilutes, the experience.
How good a grounding was that for your Director of Golf position?
The Membership Director role provided deep insight into member expectations, governance and long-term planning, while also reinforcing how interconnected every part of a private club operation is.
During that period, I was closely involved in welcoming a significant portion of the membership. That brings with it a strong sense of responsibility – when you help shape the membership, you also help shape the culture.
Understanding the relationship between expectation and delivery has been fundamental to how I now approach the Director of Golf role. Golf doesn’t sit in isolation; it’s central to the overall club experience and must be delivered with consistency, intent and care.
Describe the interview process for the Director of Golf position?
The original interview process for my Membership Director role was extremely thorough, involving multiple stages and board-level discussions.
By the time the Director of Golf position became available, I had spent several years building trust with the ownership, board and membership. The transition felt natural and was built on continuity, shared values, and a clear understanding of the club’s direction. In many ways, the years leading up to the appointment served as an extended interview, allowing everyone involved to be confident in the decision.
Did you think you were ready for the role?
I did! Early in my career, I was conscious that leadership readiness isn’t defined purely by age. I wanted to be confident that when opportunities arose, I had the experience and perspective to step into them properly. I’ve always had self-belief in my leadership skills and ability to create exceptional experiences. My dad was a Course Superintendent and he taught me so much about the golf industry and he was an extraordinarily hard worker with incredible attention to detail. He has been an excellent mentor to me.
To develop both personally and professionally, I’ve always enjoyed environments that challenged me and dedicated time to investing in professional education. Being a member of both The PGA and the PGA of America provides depth across coaching, business, and people management – all essential in a modern Director of Golf role.
Aged 32, while in my role as Membership Director, I went back to school to earn a Master’s degree in International Relations and Global Politics, which has been invaluable in developing a broader perspective and navigating the governance and stakeholder dynamics of private club life.
That combination of experience and education has given me the confidence to lead with clarity and conviction.
How have you been able to create pathways for PGA Members from the UK?
That has been a priority because strong people elevate the entire operation. We’ve been able to recruit professionals such as Reece Balls (Head of Golf Operations at Wentworth), who is coming to Lake Nona to serve as our Head Professional, by working collaboratively with mentors and partners on both sides of the Atlantic.
PGA membership plays a significant role in that process, particularly in the context of international visa applications, as it demonstrates professional standing and expertise within the industry.
PGA interns are a target of mine, as it enhances the club’s rich history with British Professionals. John Jacobs was the first Director of Golf at Lake Nona, followed by Gregor Jamieson who retired four years ago who then passed the torch to me. Our history of British ownership definitely makes Lake Nona feel like home! To continue this tradition is something I am proud of, and working with The PGA to create opportunities for Professionals here in the States is definitely something I am passionate about.
“Membership isn’t simply about numbers. It’s about alignment with the club culture” – Matt Collis
What advice would you give to a fellow Member who is considering working abroad?
Be intentional and prepared. International opportunities require adaptability, professionalism and a willingness to continue learning. Golf is a global industry and strong leadership combined with PGA Membership creates opportunities to grow both professionally and personally.
Do you ever get starstruck at Lake Nona?
It makes the days interesting. You quickly learn that discretion and creating a first-class experience matter far more than names. Every Member comes to Lake Nona because it’s their club and our responsibility is to provide a professional, welcoming environment for everyone.
That environment demands high operational standards, attention to detail and cultural awareness. Once you understand that responsibility, the focus naturally shifts from who people are to how well their experience is delivered.
How have you evolved the golf operation?
A major focus has been elevating the coaching and learning experience by building a structured, multi-disciplinary team. We introduced a dedicated Head of Coaching to ensure quality consistency, and professional development across the programme.
Around that, we’ve built a team that includes specialist coaches, a club fitter and a golf movement specialist to provide integrated technical, equipment and physical guidance for players of all levels.
Technology supports that ecosystem and we introduced GPS-enabled golf carts to encourage smarter course management, online tee times through ForeTees to improve accessibility and digital coaching platforms such as CoachNow to enhance communication and feedback.
We also invested in a fully integrated Zen putting green with SAM PuttLab and a unique Zen stage with a built-in Swing Catalyst. At the time of introduction, this was the first set-up of its kind anywhere in the world. These tools allow us to create a feedback-rich environment that supports learning and long-term improvement and it is great that Lake Nona is focused on remaining at the sharp end of innovation in our industry.
Ultimately, my focus is on creating environments where people can develop, standards are protected and the game is presented in the right way for the long term.
