Acclaimed golf professional teaches at Black Butte Ranch

Scott Sackett is the Director of Instruction for the PGA Tour Golf Academy and a regular guest on the Golf Channel. He’s spending the summer in the Sisters area, teaching golf at Black Butte Ranch.

Sackett’s journey to Black Butte Ranch began in 1996 when he met Jeff Fought, the current Director of Golf at Black Butte Ranch. The two became acquainted in Nevada when Scott was teaching at the Angel Park Golf Club in Las Vegas for Resort Golf Group, a company that he founded with three partners.

Sackett has since sold his interest in Resort Golf Group to focus on other priorities, including his work with the PGA Tour.

Sackett maintained his contact with Fought through the years and found a common interest in Black Butte Ranch. Scott and his wife, Tanna, have vacationed at Black Butte Ranch the past five summers.

Sackett was initially attracted to BBR when his wife’s family purchased a home at the Ranch. During his vacations to the area, he became very familiar with the Ranch, all the local golf courses and the people of Central Oregon.

When the opportunity arose to spend the summer teaching at Black Butte Ranch, Sackett said that it was an easy decision.

Sackett says that there is not a better place to live than Central Oregon. He loves all facets of the area.

“The weather is perfect. The golf is better than anywhere. The bicycling is unsurpassed and, most importantly, the people are the greatest,” he said.

Sackett is an avid bicyclist and is often seen riding on the byways of the area. He is also a skier, although he has not yet skied at Mount Bachelor or Hoodoo. He is looking forward to the opportunity to try the local slopes. Tanna is an enthusiastic hiker which is one passion that Sackett said he does not share.

Sackett’s initial motivation to come to the Sisters area this summer was the weather. Summer is his off-season, as he teaches in the warm climates of Arizona and Florida where it is too hot to teach this time of year. He normally shares his time during the winter between the PGA Tour Academy in Florida and the McCormick Ranch Golf Club in Arizona.

Sackett is currently ranked as one of America’s “Top 100 Teachers” by Golf Magazine and is one of Golf Digest’s “Best Teachers.” He is also one of only four golfers who have been on both the cover of Golf Magazine and a Wheaties box; the other three were Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. His students number among notable members of the PGA Tour, the LPGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour.

Sackett will remain in the Sisters area and teach at Black Butte Ranch through the end of September. He will then travel to Arizona and Florida for the winter teaching season. When asked about returning to teach at Black Butte Ranch in the coming years, Scott said, “I would love to come back.”