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31 Mar 2025 admin

CALLAWAY

The year was 1993 and Callaway Golf founder Ely Callaway learned of the United States Golf Teachers Federation, became intrigued, and began a partnership with the USGTF that has endured to this date. Callaway is known for being one of the – if not the – most innovative companies in golf, starting with the legendary Warbird driver that jumpstarted the company and changed its reputation forever.

New for 2025 is the Elyte driver series, pioneered and designed with artificial intelligence technology. Every golfer will be able to find a driver that fits their game, with four different models available to match any player’s swing. USGTF members enjoy a generous personal use discount from Callaway through its exclusive VIP program. To register for the program, please contact the USGTF National Office at (772) 88-USGTF or email member_services@usgtf.com.

31 Mar 2025 admin

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – BRODY DAY

Brody Day is a student of USGTF professional Eric Slosek of West Friendship, Maryland. Brody was hopeful to make his high school golf team, but didn’t make it in trying out both his freshman and sophomore years. That’s where he turned to Slosek for lessons and counsel.

“My golf journey started when I was around three playing with my grandfather,” said Brody. “I casually played for most of my life up until high school. I decided to come to Eric for lessons in February of 2024. My game started improving as I took lessons every week up until tryouts in August. I got called over to talk with the coach and was informed that I made the team. I was beyond grateful and ran inside and told Eric that I made it. Eric has always been a great role model in my golf career, from using the simulator with my friends to teaching me the right golf etiquette. Just recently, I shot my best round ever at +6 through 18. I am very thankful for all the help Eric has given me throughout this past year. I wouldn’t be on the team without him!”

Said Slosek, who teaches at Willow Springs Golf Course in West Friendship, “Going into the spring of 2024, I had no idea what the year would bring, but I soon found out: seven high schoolers who were determined to make their high school team. Coming from different schools, grade levels and abilities, they shared the same goal, which was to make their high school golf team for the first time. From freshmen to juniors, they were determined to succeed despite the lack of confidence at that time. We developed a scheduled lesson plan and practice plan to work on throughout each week in the spring and summer of 2024, targeting the August tryouts. We spent countless hours at the range, putting green, simulator and on the golf course, even the courses some of them would be qualifying on for course management. Fortunately for all seven of them, success happened at the same time. They had instant success on better ball striking, more accuracy, decreased scoring and so much more. The most satisfying moment was each phone call or drop-in after tryouts to let me know they made the team.”

31 Mar 2025 admin

“PRO” FILE – USGTF MEMBER BENJAMIN BICKFORD

I’m immensely grateful to the USGTF and its training program, as it has allowed me to blend my passion for teaching with the game of golf, which I deeply love and cherish. This program has been instrumental in shaping my coaching philosophy, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who shares these passions.

As a teacher at the Peddie School in New Jersey, I’ve had the privilege of working with remarkable young individuals, both in the classroom and on the golf course. In 2008, the same year I earned my full certification from the USGTF, I took over coaching the golf team, and we won our 100th match in April 2016 with a record of 100-10. Over my 15 years with the team, I have had the privilege of working with golfers that have gone on to play at top Division I programs such as Duke, Wake Forest, and many others. Notably, Max Greyserman, Peddie class of ’13, recently joined the PGA Tour and finished tied for 21st at the 2024 U.S. Open. Our team has enjoyed significant success, becoming 7-time MAPL Champions, 5-time Mercer County Champions with two record-setting performances, and 9-time NJSIAA Champions with two record-setting performances.

However, one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career, thanks to the USGTF, has been working with young people new to golf. Peddie Golf Camp (peddie.org/pgc) introduces students to the game using the USGTF training method at the Peddie Golf Club in Hightstown, New Jersey. We have helped students learn the fundamentals of setup, grip, and stance, in order to place athletic young people from sports like soccer, lacrosse and baseball in the best possible position to meet success. One of our key focuses is to incorporate competitions, activities and on-course play to showcase how rewarding the game can be, inspiring students to continue practicing and improving, as well as having many playing in junior tournaments for the first time. Our hope is to plant a seed which then causes kids to ask parents to take them to the course and bring their clubs on family vacations.

In addition, the real strength of the camp’s curriculum is that it provides another avenue and opportunity to foster character development in both our campers and the young people who serve on the staff. My goal is to foster a culture of dedication, respect, and continuous growth among my students and athletes, both on and off the golf course, and the USGTF training helped provide me this opportunity.

31 Mar 2025 admin

NEW REGION

Southeast – They say there are two sure things in life, death and taxes. You might want to add a third to that list: Ron Cox wins a USGTF region championship. The septuagenarian from Nashville, Tennessee, did it again, capturing the Southeast Region Championship with a two-stroke victory over reigning United States Golf Teachers Cup champion Ken Kim from Orlando, Florida. Cox has now won multiple championships in the Southeast, Central and Southwest championships.

Cox fired rounds of 72-75 -147 to edge Kim by two strokes. Cole Golden from Orlando, Florida, finished third; Tony McMullin from Cincinnati, Ohio fourth and Mark Harman from Ridgeland, South Carolina, fifth to round out the money winner in the main pool. The event was held February 25-26 at Harbor Hills Country Club in Lady Lake, Florida.

U.S. Pro Hickory – USGTF member Mike Stevens finally did it: He captured his own tournament, the United States Professional Hickory Championship, played February 16 at the historic Temple Terrace Country Club in Tampa, Florida. Stevens won the prestigious John Shippen Cup (honoring America’s first golf professional), edging out Carlos de Barros by a stroke. With his victory, Stevens – a USGTF Hall-of Famer – has won virtually every important hickory championship this country has to offer.

31 Mar 2025 admin

THE VALUE OF THE MASTER GOLF TEACHING ROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION

To be known as a master of your craft is one of the highest compliments anyone can receive, and USGTF members can make that literally true. The highest certification available is the Master Golf Teaching Professional® designation, and can be earned only by USGTF and WGTF members who have successfully completed the requirements. Prospective candidates must successfully turn in a lower score in the playing ability test; present a written thesis; successfully execute a shot demonstration and pass a written examination. USGTF members who have gone through the process have said it was the best golf teaching learning experience they ever had, which alone makes attending the program worthwhile.

The next course will be held June 16-18 at Boulder Creek Golf Course in Boulder City, Nevada, just outside Las Vegas. To register, please visit https://www.usgtf.com/master-golf-teaching-professional.

31 Mar 2025 admin

NETHERLANDS

  The future of golf education in Europe is being reshaped by the powerful collaboration between WGTF-Netherlands and WGTF-Germany. In a world where the sport is continuously evolving, these federations play a key role in developing and training a new generation of golf instructors. Through cross-border cooperation, innovative teaching methods and strong connections within the international golf community, they are setting new standards for golf education in Europe and beyond.

WGTF-Netherlands takes pride in its Dutch athletes and coaches, but even more so, in its partnership with the USGTF. We are committed to expressing this gratitude through performance, expanding the organization, and increasing its visibility. This is evident not only in our achievements in recognition and collaborations, but also in the growth of golf instructors we have successfully placed at golf courses in the Netherlands and beyond. In 2024, we filled 12 job vacancies in the Netherlands, one in Dubai, one in Aruba, 12 in Germany, two in Romania, and four in Belgium. This demonstrates that golf courses trust us and that WGTF instructors are in high demand internationally.

How did this become possible? The answer lies in the quality of our training. By optimizing our curriculum, lesson modules, internships and exams, and systematically organizing continuing education and refresher courses, we ensure that our WGTF instructors stay up to date with the latest developments in the golf industry. This means that we not only invest in training new instructors but also continue to enhance the professional development of our active golf coaches.

What makes WGTF-Netherlands and WGTF-Germany unique is their openness to innovation and collaboration on a global scale. Their connection with USGTF and other international federations ensures that their methodologies and training programs are continuously refined based on the latest insights in the golf industry. Through this worldwide exchange of knowledge, the quality of golf education in Europe continues to improve. The result? An ever-expanding network of golf instructors who are not only technically proficient but also possess the pedagogical and communication skills to coach golfers of all levels effectively.

31 Mar 2025 admin

U.S. CUP DATE, VENUE ANNOUNCED

America’s capital city of fun and excitement once again will host the annual United States Golf Teachers Cup, the national championship event of the USGTF. Stallion Mountain Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada, will host the 36-hole event on September 22-23. Stallion Mountain was selected after a personal site visit from USGTF president and CEO Brandon Lee and USGTF director of instruction Mark Harman. The course should serve as an outstanding venue for this championship that see many returning participants every year.

More tournament and entry information will be made available shortly.