By STEVE WILLIAMS

GREENSBORO – Mark Stillwell says he’s learned quite a bit about his game in his two years a professional. Now the golf shoe is on the other foot.

Stillwell has joined the teaching staff at Triad Golf Center in Greensboro where he is reunited with his college coach Robert Linville.

"When you come out of college you have a lot to learn," Stillwell said recently while manning the clubhouse at Triad Golf Center. "To compete with guys that have been playing professionally 10 to 12 years, you really have to be a student of the game and soak in everything."

Stillwell, a member of Northwest Guilford High School’s 1994 state championship team, turned pro in June of 1999 after two All-America seasons at Greensboro College.

He’s been fully exempt on the NGA/Hooters Tour and has also played in some area mini-tour events the since going to the play-for-pay shortly after he graduated. Two attempts at the PGA Tour Qualifying School failed but he’s not about to give up his dream.

"I feel like I can compete on the PGA Tour and I’m doing everything I can to get out there one day," the 25-year old Greensboro native said. "I’ve been working out quite a bit. I want to get physically stronger and more physically fit."

Although he’s exempt on the NGA Tour, where potential $20,000 paydays are offered, he’s watching his expenses. He’s picking tournaments close to North Carolina and living at home with his parents.

The job at Triad Golf Center was a perfect fit in more ways than one.

"If you can’t play full time, this was the best route to go. "I’m around other pros and this is a great facility where I can practice and keep improving."

A couple of nagging injuries slowed his progress this year and then he got an untimely case of food poisoning when the NGA Tour visited the Triad at Pine Knolls in Kernersville April 5-8.

"That was a heartbreaker, since I know that course," Stillwell said.

"I’ll play again when they get closer to the area."

Stillwell played in five early season NGA Tour events, made two cuts and won $1,265. He plans to rejoin the schedule June 21-24 at The Cape in Wilmington and at Myrtle Beach the following week. He also plays in a couple of Florida stops where he can stay with friends.

The demise of the Golfers Developmental Tour, based out of Greensboro, was a disappointment for Stillwell. He picked up his biggest ever paycheck – $1,600 – with a fourth place finish in event at Grandover last summer.

He won a couple of tourneys on the Triangle Tour in 2000 and finished 15^th on the money list with just over $3,000 despite playing in less than a third of the events. He hopes to play in some on the Triangle Tour this summer as well.

In the meantime, he’s working with Linville.

"He’s been my teacher the last five years," Stillwell said. "I’ve gotten to know what he’s done when he’s working with me on my game."

Linville’s teaching techniques and philosophy have naturally rubbed off.

"It’s fun and I enjoy teaching. Everybody I’ve worked with seems to see some results. I think I’m actually pretty good at it."