Reaching 50 years of active PGA membership is a milestone achieved by only a distinct few in the golf industry. For Martin Stuart, PGA, entering the Gulf States PGA Half Century Club is not just a celebration of time passed, but a testament to five decades dedicated to service, mentorship, and a deep love for the game.

From his early days on the lesson tee to guiding generations of golfers, Stuart’s journey reflects the true spirit of what it means to be a PGA Professional.

Stuart’s journey in golf began long before he earned his official PGA Class A card. Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, his family later moved to Monroe, where he spent his formative high school and college years working at Monroe Municipal under the guidance of Johnny Myers. Myers was more than just a boss; he was a mentor who embodied patience, excellent teaching, and unwavering kindness—providing Stuart with the exact blueprint for his future career.

That blueprint came to fruition in April when Stuart officially earned his PGA Class A membership. In that same whirlwind period, he stepped into the role of Head Golf Professional at Shreveport Country Club. Balancing the responsibilities of a head professional with a newly minted membership was as intense as it was thrilling, marking the start of a decades-long tenure at the club.

Over a 50-year career, the landscape of golf instruction underwent massive shifts. When Stuart first stepped onto the range, electronics and swing analysis tools were non-existent. Demonstrating swings relied purely on visual cues, manual feel, and fundamental ball-flight laws.

As technology developed, Stuart made it a priority to stay ahead of the curve. Beginning with early PGA teaching schools in Florida in 1977—learning alongside instructors like Bob Toski, Conrad Rehling, Jim Strasbaugh, and Chuck Cook—he embraced the evolution of coaching. Stuart witnessed instruction transform from simple observation to an era powered by launch monitors, video technology, and putting labs, always adapting to ensure his students had every tool available to improve.

While technology changed, Stuart’s passion for helping people remained the constant driving force of his career. His impact is visible through the golfers and professionals he influenced over the decades:

  • Dedicated Amateurs: Pert McClure, a close friend and standout player who qualified for multiple U.S. Senior Amateurs, kept detailed notes of every single lesson Stuart ever gave him. Decades later, well into his 80s, McClure continues to play at a high level using those same timeless swing fundamentals.
  • Tour Talent: Stuart coached Tour qualifier Perry Moss and watched a young Hal Sutton grow up practicing at Shreveport Country Club, observing Sutton’s natural athleticism and simple swing long before Sutton became a major champion and renowned course architect.
  • Future Leaders: Stuart takes immense pride in his mentorship of assistant professionals, including Nathan Barrow, who learned the business under Stuart’s wing before rising to leadership as a general manager and corporate executive.

When reflecting on his personal playing career, Stuart candidly admits that long hours at the club meant he didn’t play in many major professional tournaments. Instead, his favorite memories on the course were spent alongside his wife, a former University of Texas golfer.

Their shared love for the game brought them to iconic venues—playing Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, and The Olympic Club on their honeymoon—and competing in couples events and scrambles throughout their lives together. For Stuart, quality time spent playing with family represented the very best golf had to offer.

At the time of this interview, I was on-site at Shell Landing Golf Club for the 2026 GSPGA Assistant Professional Championship. It felt symbolic to talk to Stuart, as many of our young aspiring PGA Professionals were competing and networking just outside the clubhouse doors. Addressing young assistant professionals just starting their careers—such as those competing at Shell Landing Golf Club PGA —Stuart offers simple, powerful advice for building a lasting life in the golf industry:

“Golf is a service and a caring business. Success is when you help people. If you can take a golfer, help them play a little better, and ensure they have fun on the golf course, that is deeply rewarding. You can make a genuine difference in a person’s life.”

Entering the Half Century Club is more than a tenure award; it honors a career built on helping others find joy in a game that lasts a lifetime.