Big Cedar Lodge Golf has named Megan Johnston, LPGA Class A teaching professional, its new Head Golf Instructor at the popular golf resort in Ridgedale, MO.
Johnston is known for her dynamic coaching style and expertise and brings with her a wealth of accolades to the decorated Big Cedar Lodge golf mecca in the Ozarks, including the 2025 Golf Digest Best Young Teachers, 2024 LPGA SE Teacher of the Year, and recognition as a US Kids Top 50 Instructor.
“We are very grateful to welcome Megan to our team at Big Cedar Golf,” said Jeff Steen, Vice President of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge. “Megan’s passion and dedication to sharing her knowledge with golfers of all ages and skill levels is sure to enhance the experience for our guests.”
Megan Johnston: Local Roots
Megan Johnston is excited to return to the Ozarks with her husband and two young daughters.
A native of Northern Ireland, Johnston attended and played at Missouri State in Springfield, then started a professional career before falling in love with teaching while working under the instruction of Tim Mahoney.
She taught in Arizona and most recently in Central Florida, where her students were invited to participate in the Epson Tour and the US Kids World Championship. While teaching in Orlando, she grew the Central Florida chapter of the girls’ golf First Tee from four participants to nearly 400 during her four years as the Girls’ Golf Co-Site Director.
Johnston’s arrival marks a new chapter in Big Cedar’s golf offerings, where guests can enjoy the beauty of the Ozarks while improving their games. She also brings an international audience of 115,000 Instagram followers (@MeganJohnstonGolf) who enjoy her quick and helpful video tutorials.
“This is a place where nature and golf come together in such a unique way,” Johnston said. “I look forward to welcoming new and returning clients from across the country to experience the magic of the Ozarks and nature golf.”
Payne’s Valley (Big Cedar Lodge)
Big Cedar Lodge is America’s premier wilderness resort in Missouri’s Ozark Mountains. A passion of Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, the 4,600-acre lakeside retreat connects families to the outdoors through a variety of nature-based experiences, including fishing, boating, hiking, and spa and wellness offerings, attracting seven million guests each year. Signature attractions include Top of the Rock, which features world-class golf, dining, and entertainment, and Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, a sprawling 10,000-acre nonprofit wildlife preserve. Named the “Number One Resort in the Midwest” by the readers of Travel + Leisure, this resort provides authentic Ozarks hospitality and a convenient location just south of Branson.
Founded by Morris in 1987, Big Cedar Lodge is one of the country’s more coveted golf destinations. In the fall of 2020, Tiger Woods’ first publicly designed course with his firm, TGR Design, opened for play. Payne’s Valley joined four existing and top-rated courses at the resort: Buffalo Ridge (Tom Fazio), Ozarks National (Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw), Mountain Top (Gary Player), and Top of the Rock (Jack Nicklaus).
Photo: Megan Johnston courtesy of Megan Johnston Golf; Payne’s Valley courtesy of Big Cedar Lodge.
