Meet the Staff
Meet the Pros at our Our Jackson, MS Golf Courses
Pioneered by CEO Randy Watkins, a long-time competitive golfer, teacher and golf course owner/designer, RWGG has a dedicated team of golf professionals. Our passionate and approachable staff loves the game of golf and brings years of experience to our three golf courses in the Jackson, MS metro. Elevate your game with private and group lessons from golf professionals, or take advantage of our clinics, and junior camps. We are committed to ensuring that you enjoy our beautiful courses every time. We are here to help you improve your game, plan a tournament and inspire members, guests and a new generation of golfers.
Randy Watkins
Randy Watkins, CEO of the Randy Watkins Golf Group, owns and operates three courses in the Jackson Metro area: Whisper Lake and Lake Caroline in Madison and Patrick Farms in Pearl. Before building or rebuilding his courses, Randy was the Class A PGA Professional at Castlewoods Country Club in Brandon for eight years. His work with golfers spans over 30 years, and his leadership with junior golfers continues. A long time competitive golfer, Randy was the 1977 PGA National Junior Champion. On the Ole Miss golf team, he was the 1982 SEC Individual Champion while earning 1st Team All SEC, NCAA All American and the team MVP 3 years in a row. After a stellar collegiate career, he qualified and played on the PGA TOUR in 1984-1985 where he posted career best finishes 5th in the Magnolia Classic and 7th in the Quad Cities Open. He also qualified and played in the US Open in 1984 at Winged Foot Golf Club just outside New York City. And he won the Mississippi Open in 1992 at Clarksdale Country Club. His long career also includes six years as Tournament Director of the PGA TOUR’s Viking Classic, now the Sanderson Farms Championship.
Kyle Sisk
Kyle Sisk joined the Randy Watkins Golf Group as Director of Golf in 2006 while serving at The Dogwoods Golf Course in Grenada. Since 2009, he has served as Director of Golf at both Lake Caroline and Whisper Lake in Madison and at Patrick Farms in Pearl. Kyle is a 2003 graduate of Mississippi State University where he studied Professional Golf Management. After graduating he served as an Assistant Golf Professional in Destin and St. Augustine, Florida, and at Canton Country Club in Canton, MS, where he learned under Robbie Webb, one of Mississippi’s finest PGA Professionals. Kyle is an excellent player, teacher and promoter of the game and he has played since he was an aspiring junior golfer. Kyle has a deep knowledge of all things golf including: competing in tournaments, club fitting, teaching, tournament operations, as well as member recruitment and services.
Drew Simmons
Drew Simmons joined the Randy Watkins Golf Group in 2023 after serving as General Manager/Head Golf Professional at Vicksburg Country Club. Having grown up in Greenville, MS and playing golf at Delta State, Drew moved to Memphis, TN and began his career as an Assistant Pro at both Chickasaw Country Club and Colonial Country Club. He has been a Class A PGA Professional for 16 years and has proven to be an excellent manager, tournament operator and dedicated instructor for all golfers. Drew has a special gift in membership recruitment, member services and golf instruction.
Thomas Watkins
Thomas returns to his home course as Director of Junior Golf for Randy Watkins Golf Group. Thomas graduated from Madison Central High School in 2009 and was a member of two State Championship teams. He went on to a fine amateur golf career highlighted by his runner-up finish to PGA TOUR professional Jonathan Randolph in the 2010 Mississippi State Amateur Championship. From there Thomas went on to play on the Ole Miss Golf Team and graduated in 2012. Upon graduation, Thomas served as Assistant Golf Professional at the Country Club of Oxford where he was instrumental in building a new club through his extensive work with the junior golfers in Oxford. Thomas recently earned the distinguished honor of being named a Top 50 U.S. Kids Golf Instruction.
Kent Smith
Kent Smith joined the the Randy Watkins Golf Group as Head Golf Professional at Whisper Lake Country Club in 2023 while serving as the GM/Head Golf Professional at Canton CC. Kent is a 1983 graduate of The University of Mississippi and has been a member of the PGA of America for over 34 years. He started out as an Assistant Golf Pro under Robbie Webb at Canton CC and Ernest Ross at the Country Club of Jackson. He was the Head Golf Professional at Vicksburg CC from 1990-2015, Clear Creek Golf Course from 2015-2019 and then returned to Vicksburg CC from 2019-2021. Kent is an excellent player having won the 1998 Gulf States PGA Section tournament, was a two-time Gulf States PGA Senior Champion and participated in the now Sanderson Farms Championship in 1995.
Derek Benson
Derek grew up in Columbus, Nebraska to a family of golfers. After a successful high school career, he got a job at the 9 hole golf course in his hometown where he was responsible for all things at the club. After 5 years there, he was hired as the assistant Pro at Elks CC also in his hometown. He spent 5 years there and entered the PGA Program as an Apprentice. He then moved south and became the assistant Pro at Patrick Farms Golf Club. After earning PGA Class A status, he was hired as the Head Golf Professional at Patrick Farms. He has more than 12 years experience teaching the game to Juniors, Ladies and Men. He is a valuable member of the RWGG Staff and has done an excellent job building friendships with our members.
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