USGTF

The deadline to enter the 2024 United States Golf Teachers Cup, to be held Monday and Tuesday, October 7-8 at Painted Desert Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada, is Monday, September 9. As in recent years, this tournament will feature a concurrent pro-am (although bringing an amateur partner is not required for participation). The entry fee of $595 includes two rounds of tournament golf plus range balls, prize money and an awards luncheon following play. Play will be contested in three divisions: Open, Senior and Super Senior, with women competitors placed in the appropriate age division playing from shorter tees.

Participants will have the opportunity to meet members of the USGTF National Office, including CEO and president Brandon Lee. For more information and to register, please visit http://www.usgtf.com/uscup.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT - KEITA YOBIKO

By Yasuhiro Yobiko

My golf school student and my own 15-year-old son, Keita Yobiko, participated in the Drive, Chip and Putt finals in 2022 and 2023, which are held at Augusta National Golf Club on the Sunday before the Masters every year. Only 80 of the approximately 70,000 junior golfers who attempted to qualify in the United States can participate at Augusta National, but he won the tough qualifying rounds held prior to the finals. I have been to Augusta in the past because two other students from my golf school qualified in 2018. Augusta National is a very special course and there is nothing like it. It is such a great experience no matter how many times we go.

Keita has also achieved great results in addition to participating in the Drive, Chip and Putt. He had 11 consecutive wins on the Southern California PGA Junior Tour; won the Toyota Tour Cup when he was in junior high school; finished in 4th place in the U.S. Kids World Championship (boys 12-year-old division), and played in the Van Horn Cup. He will continue to play, practice and work hard to improve his physical strength, with the aim of winning on the professional golf tour. I am looking forward to his and my other students’ success in the future.

EDITORIAL - THE RULES OF GOLF MOSTLY TALK ABOUT HOW AND WHEN TO TOUCH THE GOLF BALL

The entire essence of the game of golf is to hit the golf ball. Therefore, it only makes sense that most of the USGA and R&A Rules of Golf focus on why and how to touch the golf ball, either with the clubhead or with your hand.

The very first rule deals with the principle that you play the course as you find it and play the ball as it lies. It goes on to say that each hole starts by making a stroke at the ball. Of course, the ball must be handled and placed either on a tee or the ground to start the hole, and the Rules detail this. The Rules also define what constitutes a stroke, the definition of which has remained the same for several decades. And once the ball is on the putting green, the Rules describe how to mark the ball before lifting it and what may be done with the ball.

A frequent, and unfortunate, happening while playing is dealing with a ball that has been hit out of bounds or into a penalty area. There is also ground under repair that must be dealt with. All of this brings up the question of exactly why the Rules speak largely into the how and why of touching the ball. The answer goes back to the first rule, where you play the ball as it lies. Because if you can't play the ball as it lies, then care must be taken to preserve the integrity of the game by playing the next stroke from the most equitable location and situation.

If you haven't perused the Rules of Golf recently, they can be found on the USGA's website at https://www.usga.org/rules/rules-and-clarifications/rules-and-clarifications.html #!ruletype=fr§ion=rule&rulenum=1.

NEWS FROM NEPAL

By Sachin Prasad Bhattarai

Greetings from Nepal. Over the years, the Royal Nepal Golf Club has been dedicated to nurturing junior golf talent. Through a series of tournaments and programs, the club has identified and developed several promising young golfers. I have been entrusted with leading the junior development camp at RNGC due to my experience analyzing and practicing techniques, particularly during my visit to the United States.

Upon my return from participating in the U.S. Golf Teachers Cup, I actively engaged in various golf activities and tournaments. I noticed that the traditional format of junior tournaments, involving chipping, putting, and longest drive, lacked efficiency, having been unchanged for many years. During my time in the U.S., I observed how juniors were taught and how newcomer tournaments were organized, which inspired me to rethink our approach.

Additionally, the GYAN Foundation hosts annual junior tournaments, for which I was tasked with tournament management. I introduced a new format where junior golfers aged 8 and below played a nine-hole round from shorter distances, while those above 8 played from regular junior tee boxes. This innovative approach generated excitement among junior golfers and diversified our tournament categories, resulting in a successful event with 75 participants, including juniors and ladies.

The support of RNGC's president, captain and development committee has been crucial in implementing these progressive programs and ideas over the years. Recognizing that golf is not widely popular outside the capital city of Nepal, I initiated efforts to promote the sport nationwide. I began by providing basic information about golf through national television broadcasts. These videos, presented in Nepalese, cover fundamental aspects of the game, including rules, techniques and equipment, making golf more accessible and understandable to the Nepalese audience.

The following contains the coverage of golf on national television:

Basic Knowledge of Golf For Begineers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2PlQX_y4Cg

Uses of 14 Golf Clubs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etoiebjdv_M

"PRO" FILE - USGTF MEMBER HORACE MITCHELL

By Horace Mitchell

My name is Horace Mitchell I have been a resident of Detroit since 1969 and played golf since 1974, at the now-closed Palmer Park Golf Course. Over the years, I’ve been able to produce not only a better-than-average golf game, but in doing so, I was blessed to put it to the test against the best players I have come in contact with no matter what their skill level.

The system that was developed by me over the years has allowed me to compete and win against tour players in my prime and win consistently, against names such as Charles Sifford, Bobby Stroble and Nate Starks. These were a few that had been to the tour. That was fine, but with how I was playing, at times I would assist any of my peers who were making an error or who were having trouble, and it worked to help them ... Read the rest of the article on our website!

https://www.usgtf.com/pro-file-usgtf-member-horace-mitchell/

VIVA LAS VEGAS! U.S. CUP REGISTRATION ONGOING

Registration for the 28th annual United States Golf Teachers Cup is open at https://www.usgtf.com/uscup. This year's event will be held Monday and Tuesday, October 7-8, at Painted Desert Golf Club in Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world.

There are participants who return every year to experience the competition, but also for the camaraderie of renewing old friendships and making new ones. And of course, Las Vegas speaks for itself, with many U.S. Cup competitors getting together and experiencing the nightlife that only Vegas can provide. In addition, you will get the opportunity to meet with and talk to members of our National Office staff, including USGTF president Brandon Lee.

The Luxor will serve as the recommended host hotel. It is within a 25-minute drive from Painted Desert Golf Course, and traffic rarely creates delays. Special rates for U.S. Cup participants have been arranged and can be found at https://book.passkey.com/event/50719407/owner/4939/home.

USGTF INDUSTRY PARTNER - SRIXON GOLF BALLS

Srixon Golf is a major player in the world of professional golf, and many advanced players have gravitated to their clubs in recent years. With a lineup of the ZX7 irons (forged with a touch of cavity back) and the ZX5 irons (forged, cavity-backed irons with more forgiveness and distance enhancement), low-handicap and professional players love the feel and playability.

But Srixon also has the lesser-skilled player in mind with their ZX4 irons, a true game-improvement club that competes with the best on the market. Higher-handicap players will enjoy the control and forgiveness that the ZX4 line provide. In addition to irons, Srixon also boasts a driver, fairway wood and hybrid lineup that relies on cutting-edge technology to give players the ultimate in the latest of golf club advancements, starting with Rebound Frame technology.

Finally, Srixon's ball lineup has something for everyone, including three tour models of golf balls (whereas most companies have two), along with an array of products to fit all skill levels. Srixon is a longtime USGTF industry partner, and more information can be found at https://us.dunlopsports.com/srixon, and you can call the USGTF National Office for personal use discount information at (772) 88-USGTF.

REGION UPDATE

USGTF regional championship events are a great way to connect with old friends, meet new ones and play in a competitive environment that is affordable, with tee assignments based on age and gender. There are currently four region championships played annually with one more left on tap:

Central - The 2024 USGTF Central Region Championship has been cancelled and will not be held this year.

Southwest - The USGTF Southwest Region Championship will be held Friday-Sunday, September 20-22, at Twin Creeks Golf Club in Allen, Texas. The entry fee is $250. For more information and to enter, please contact region director Bruce Sims at [email protected].

WGTF TOP 50 TEACHERS NOMINATION DEADLINE

Nominations for the WGTF Top 50 Teachers are now being accepted. All teachers who wish to be considered must submit their nominations. In addition, WGTF federation presidents may submit nominations of their members. All WGTF Certified Golf Teaching Professionals and Master Golf Teaching Professionals are eligible to be nominated. Nominations (including self-nominations) may be made through email at [email protected] or through regular mail to the USGTF National Office at 200 S. Indian River Drive, #206, Fort Pierce, FL 34950. The deadline for nominations is Monday, September 9, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. EDT.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – CLAIRE YOUNG

Claire Young from Los Angeles started playing golf at the age of 7, and only two years later the competitive bug bit. She started playing in U.S. Kids Golf tournaments on a regular basis. She picks up the story:

“My dad would drive me all over California for the tournaments. When I turned 12, I played in my first AJGA tournament. I joined a country club near the school, where I practiced most of the time after school. Later, I was accepted into Harvard-Westlake School and became the number two player on the team. Golf has given me the opportunity to learn about discipline, patience and hard work.”

The Harvard-Westlake girls golf team won the Mission League championship in 2021 and 2022, with Claire earning All-League honors. She had an 18-hole best of 71 in 2023 at the CIFSS Ford Girls Golf Individual, and regularly shoots in the 70s. She was voted Stanford Player/Camper of the Week in 2022 by members of the Stanford women’s golf team and their coach, quite an honor considering she was one of 125 campers.

USGTF member Astrid Hussenjian is her former coach but keeps in regular contact with Claire. Hussenjian said, “I coached her and her sister for many years, but now they have other coaches, which is pretty normal in golf. We are still friends and I follow their journey, and once in a while I get asked to watch their swings, give them advice and play on the course with them.”

EDITORIAL – WGTF TOP 50: AWARD AND VALUE

In any field of endeavor, there are those who separate themselves from the rest. The WGTF Top 50 was inaugurated years ago to recognize those who have achieved and maintained a standard that is among the highest in the golf teaching industry. Those who are on the list can truly be proud of this accomplishment.

There might be a misconception that those who did not make the list are not as “good” at teaching as those on the list. This is certainly far from the case. In selecting the overall Top 50, other factors are taken into consideration, such as years of service to the golf industry, published items, peer recognition and growing the game initiatives, for example. In other words, those who are on the list are there because they possess a list of attributes that goes far beyond just teaching ability alone.

The list also recognizes the global structure of the golf teaching industry, as there are fine teachers and coaches in all corners of the Earth. There are a variety of teaching styles represented — which is important — as no one teaching style fits all students.

The list is updated every two years, and look for the 2024-25 list to be featured soon.

NEWS FROM GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAN

By Peter Hudson

It has been a very wet winter and spring in the U.K. and Ireland, with many courses and driving ranges closed for days and weeks at a time. This, however, has led to greater demand for those of our members who have indoor golf schools and studios. This market segment is a real opportunity for the independent golf coach, especially with more and more game improvement being conducted online.

There are very few differences in the skills required to be a successful golf teacher/coach in these environments. True, there may be a need for a higher level of technical equipment and knowledge, but clients still learn best instinctively and intrinsically. If you have not read The Inner Game of Golf or Fred Shoemaker’s Extraordinary Golf, they are a great starting point. Interestingly, Homer Kelly, who is an expert in engineering, geometry and science, only learnt from feel in a blacked-out room!

We conducted a training course with seven golfers in April, and the next is planned for Oxford in August. Those attending and planning to attend are many and varied in their previous work endeavours. Sports coaches, business coaches, accountants, I.T. experts, business managers and taxi driver are just some of their backgrounds.

We were invited by WGTF Netherlands to take a team of six players for a small European competition, organized by WGTF Netherlands, over two days in June. It is a wonderful opportunity to share ideas and grow the WGTF family values. We will also continue to work closely with V1 Technologies, and they help us offer superior customer service, learning and communication.

We also work with Fore-business in the U.K. and Ireland, and now have at least six coaches who have enjoyed business from this outlet. The are currently growing in the USA and other parts of the world, and if you are a qualified coach, I highly recommend you contact their agents and arrange to join, or you may also contact me at [email protected] and I will arrange for them to call you.

I will be attending the PGA marketing exhibition in Orlando 2025. If anyone would like to meet, share ideas and maybe have a round of golf, let me know.

USGTF INDUSTRY PARTNER – SWING PROFILE

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Features of Swing Profile golf app for coaches include:

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• Easy video exchange with students on both Swing Profile app and email

• “Student Lockers” system for organizing student videos

• Enlist your coaching business on our “Coach directory” to be seen by hundreds of thousands of Swing Profile users

“PRO” FILE – USGTF MEMBER J.T. SMART

By J.T. Smart

My story begins as a brain tumor survivor at the age of 18 months old. The main side effect of removing the tumor was loss of the fine motor skills to my right side. In other words, my right side is as strong as most 10-year-olds’ at best, and I am missing a lot of dexterity most people would take for granted. It also affected my memory in regard to long-term and retention.

With all that being said, these disabilities brought me to golf at the age of 12, and golf was a sport that made me feel like everyone else. I competed at the varsity high school level as a freshman, winning a valley championship and dozens of tournaments on various junior tours. I also volunteered at several junior clinics throughout those years year. My golf journey continued in college and mini-tour events, and I even got to caddy for my great friend in his early start on the PGA Tour.

These stepping-stones lead me to a career in golf instruction. The notches in my belt I acquired throughout my years of competitive golf, combined with my unique perspective on how to swing the club, has shaped the teaching philosophy I have today. I gained my USGTF Certified Golf Teaching Professional status in 2014 under the mentorship of Master USGTF instructor Jim Perez, a man I admire not only for golf instruction, but for his ability to communicate to his clients. I also acquired a TPI Golf certification; an International Golf Psychology Association certification through the USGTF; a U.S. Kids Golf certification and Vector Green Reading certification, thanks to Hector Avila, who’s also a USGTF instructor.

As of today, I am married to a wonderful girl named Kelsey and we have bonded over playing the game of golf together. We love playing new courses with each other, and of course, we both love the competition of couples’ events. I have an indoor teaching facility where I give more than 1,000 lessons a year. I coach for the Fresno City College golf team, and I have built a golf program with a team of club fitters, personal trainers and instruction, all in the aim to help reach my clients’ maximum potential.

REGION UPDATE

Northeast – Alan Brown captured the USGTF Northeast Region Championship this past June, firing an 18-hole total of 76 to edge out runner-up Jonathan Dorfmann by one shot. The tournament took place at Mountain View Golf Course in Ewing, New Jersey.

Division winners included Brown (60-69) and Dorfmann (50-59); Nick Verdes (49 and under); Jim Peters (70+) and Hyounkyoung Kim (women’s). After the tournament, Northeast Region director Bob Corbo said, “It was great to see everyone. This year, we had six new participants, and players came from Wisconsin, Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. I hope everyone had a safe trip home.”

Central – The USGTF Central Region Championship, originally planned for Walden Ponds Golf Course in suburban Cincinnati on July 21-22, will be rescheduled due to a scheduling conflict. At this time, the date and location are uncertain. Region director Tony McMullin will have an update shortly, and we will have that information in future USGTF monthly e-newsletters as well as on the USGTF’s website at https://www.usgtf.com.

Southwest – The USGTF Southwest Region Championship will be held Friday-Sunday, September 20-22, at Twin Creeks Golf Club in Allen, Texas. The entry fee is $250. For more information and to enter, please contact region director Bruce Sims at [email protected].

LUXOR IS THE PLACE TO STAY FOR THE U.S. CUP

Opened in 1993, the Luxor in Las Vegas continues to be a favorite draw for visitors to the “Sin City.” With its distinctive pyramid building and vertical laser light visible for up to 275 miles, the Luxor has been a spectacular staple of the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip for three decades. This year, it will once again serve as the recommended host hotel for the United States Golf Teachers Cup.

The Luxor is within a 25-minute drive from Painted Desert Golf Course, and traffic rarely creates delays. Special rates for U.S. Cup participants have been arranged and can be found at https://book.passkey.com/event/50719407/owner/4939/home.

U.S. CUP REGISTRATION ONGOING

Are you ready to have some fun and excitement in the world's capital of entertainment? Registration for the 28th annual United States Golf Teachers Cup is still open. This year's event will take place at Painted Desert Golf Course in Las Vegas, Nevada, Monday and Tuesday, October 7-8.

This year's event will once again feature a concurrent pro-am along with individual competition, although bringing an amateur partner is not required. Please note that all amateurs must have a USGA GHIN handicap or a recognized equivalent. Three divisions — Open, Senior (50+) and Super Senior (68+) — will be offered, and women competitors will be placed in the appropriate age category and play from shorter distances. To register, please visit https://www.usgtf.com/uscup.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – MADDIE HORRIGAN

They say big things sometimes come in small packages, and Maddie Horrigan of Hudson, Ohio, epitomizes that. Not only is she a champion swimmer standing at just 5′ 2″, she also has experienced success at the high school and collegiate level in golf.

She came to USGTF professional Rick Zivsak after playing golf for the first time with her dad, with the goal of making the high school team. There was just one problem: tryouts were in just 40 days. Maddie had to go from a complete beginner to high school athlete in that short period of time. But she succeeded, with Zivsak saying she had one of the greatest work ethics he had ever seen. And being a swimmer, Maddie certainly didn’t mind practicing in the rain, which she did. Maddie wound up making the junior varsity squad and impressively broke 50 later that season.

She went on to swim competitively at Mount Union College in Ohio, but was invited by the golf coach to try out for that squad. She made the team for a unique two-sport accomplishment. Maddie believes that one of her strengths is that she celebrates winning but also embraces failure, which can teach valuable lessons. Diagnosed with epilepsy, Maddie plans on becoming a physician’s assistant because she’s very interested in how the brain works due to her diagnosis. She also wants to work in an underserved community in order to give back. She will be starting graduate school in May in pursuit of her career dream.

As for Zivsak, Maddie has nothing but high praise for him. “No words can describe the impact he has had on me,” she said. “He has the biggest heart and is so positive. Golf has changed my life.”

REGION UPDATE

Northeast – The USGTF Northeast Region Championship will be held Thursday, June 20, at Mountain View Golf Course in Ewing, New Jersey. Tee times will begin at 12 noon. The entry fee is $185. For more information and to enter, please contact region director Bob Corbo at [email protected].

Central – The USGTF Central Region Championship will be played in July at Walden Ponds Golf Course in Hamilton, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati, July 21-22. The entry fee is $250. For more information and to enter, please contact region director Tony McMullin at [email protected].

Southwest – The USGTF Southwest Region Championship will be held Friday-Sunday, September 20-22, at Twin Creeks Golf Club in Allen, Texas. The entry fee is $250. For more information and to enter, please contact region director Bruce Sims at [email protected].

EDITORIAL - GOLF ETIQUETTE AND HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS ON THE GOLF COURSE

What types of players are there that others don’t like playing golf with? First and foremost, anyone who behaves poorly is not likely to be the top choice of playing partners for other golfers. This doesn’t just extend to cursing, throwing clubs, etc., but also a golfer mainly talking about himself or herself throughout the round. Showing little interest in other people or subjects is a recipe for boorish behavior, too.

There’s a saying good company is more important than good golf, and that is certainly an accurate statement. It’s also relevant when conducting business on the golf course, because another saying is that you can tell more about a person in 18 holes of golf than you can in days or weeks of being in other settings. Our experience holds this to be true. Rare is the person who acts one way on the course and then another off the course. Does the person play with honor and respect of the rules and etiquette, or do they cheat and ignore basic courtesies? Even honest ignorance of the rules and etiquette is a problem because that person did not take the time to do due diligence in what is required in a golf course setting. And if they’re not prepared there, it’s likely they would not be prepared in a business setting, too.

Some of the strongest friendships and fruitful business partnerships have been forged on the golf course. And how we conduct ourselves and honor the game and our playing companions goes a long way in success or failure in these areas.

NEWS FROM TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
By Anthony Benny

At present, I am working with mostly junior golfers. It is a joy and a pleasure to work with them and listen to their feedback on the lesson. There are two very outstanding youngsters, Isabella Ramdeen and Harper Lane, whom I teach at St. Andrews Golf Club, Moka, and Pointe-a-Pierre Golf Club Ltd. The number of junior golfers has declined to less than half of what it was six months ago.

I am also working with the national junior team, in which 12-year-old Isabella is a member. I have a strong belief that this young lady will go places. Her love and commitment to the game is unbelievable! Meanwhile, Harper reminds me of the movie “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” His parents came to me at golf class one day and said, “Coach, we are having a problem sleeping at night. Harper hits balls at very odd times at night. He loves the game!” He is only 8 years old.

Before I end, I would like to say greetings from the beautiful twin islands of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago to all my USGFT friends – Jennifer, Bob, Mark, and Geoff, and not forgetting my old friend Bob Jaffe. I stand as a proud USGTF Certified Golf Teaching Professional.

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People who knew Canada's Bill Bath would say that he was one of the most likable people you would ever want to meet, and USGTF and CGTF members can attest to that. Bath, 52, passed away far too young recently after suffering a heart attack.

He joined the USGTF and CGTF over 20 years ago after becoming disenchanted with his job in retail. He loved golf but did not want to be in retail golf when he saw an ad for the USGTF. After a conversation with the USGTF's Bob Wyatt and then-CGTF president Bob Bryant, Bath got certified in what he called one of the best weeks of his life. He quickly secured two driving ranges to teach at and steadily built a client base over the next three years. He is on record as saying that the people he met made him a better person and teacher.

He then proceeded to become an examiner for the CGTF and represented Team Canada several times in the World Golf Teachers Cup competition. He quickly became a friend to everyone who met him at these events, and left an indelible impression on all who were fortunate to know him. In recent years, he caddied for PGA Tour professional MacKenzie Hughes on occasion, and Bath's death hit Hughes particularly hard.

The USGTF and CGTF wish to extend our deepest condolences to all of Bill's friends, students and fellow competitors.

US CUP REGISTRATION ONGOING

Registration for the 28th annual United States Golf Teachers Cup at Painted Desert Golf Course in Las Vegas, Nevada, is available at https://www.usgtf.com/uscup. The national championship event of the USGTF features play in three divisions: Open, Senior (50+) and Super Senior (68+). The U.S. Cup has many regular players who return every year to renew old friendships, make new ones, and to compete for national honors. If you have yet to experience a U.S. Cup, please do yourself a favor and consider joining us this year!

USGTF/WGTF ACHIEVES ANOTHER MILESTONE: WGTF-NETHERLANDS RECOGNIZED BY NGF

In an email to WGTF-Netherlands president Bjorn Beekman, the Netherlands Golf Federation (NGF) has officially recognized WGTF-Netherlands to be on equal footing with the PGA of Holland as an association of golf professionals. This means all WGTF-Netherlands Level 3 and Level 4 professionals can now compete in NGF professional events, as previously this was only reserved for members the PGA of Holland.

This matters a great deal, according to Beekman. "It is indicative of the continued growth and improvement of WGTF Netherlands and the entire WGTF," he stated. "It is a sign that golf governing bodies worldwide are beginning to respect the strength and legitimacy of the WGTF."

Beekman went on to say, "I think customers always have to have a choice. When you like fast food, you can choose McDonald's, KFC, Burger King, etc. I think it's good to see the difference between both education organizations, We as the WGTF are more for the adults with life experience and a life before golf, so we help them in a career change. Everybody is welcome to join the WGTF who has a passion for golf."