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28 Aug 2026 admin

NEWS FROM NETHERLANDS

At WGTF-Netherlands, we believe that becoming a golf teacher should never end with receiving a diploma. In fact, that is where the real journey begins. Our ambition is simple: To educate the best possible golf teachers and to continue helping them develop throughout their careers.

Golf is constantly changing. Technology is developing; teaching methods are evolving; players have different expectations, and the modern golf professional needs more than technical knowledge alone. We think a good golf teacher must understand the game, understand people and continue to challenge his or her own knowledge. That philosophy is becoming an increasingly important part of the development of WGTF-Netherlands.

WGTF-Netherlands maintains a very positive relationship with the Dutch Golf Federation and believes strongly in cooperation within the golf industry. Ultimately, the name of an organization should never be more important than the quality of the professional standing on the driving range.

One of the major developments within WGTF-Netherlands is the expansion of our training facilities at Golfpark De Star. A completely new TrackMan Range environment is being developed, providing our professionals with access to some of the most advanced technology available in modern golf instruction. For our WGTF professionals, this will become much more than simply a driving range. It will be a place where they can teach their own students, analyse ball flight and performance data, develop their coaching skills and work in a modern professional environment. Combined with our new lounge and teaching facilities, we want to create a genuine home for WGTF professionals.

The third pillar of our philosophy is perhaps the most important: continuing education. WGTF-Netherlands has therefore developed the WAYOG – Work Your Own Game Program. Throughout the year, our professionals come together for approximately six to eight specialist training sessions covering different areas of coaching and playing. These sessions are about much more than collecting additional certificates: They are about keeping our professionals curious; keeping them learning; keeping them practising, and keeping them connected with one another. A golf teacher who wants his students to improve should also remain committed to improving himself.

That is the philosophy behind Work Your Own Game. We are extremely proud that the Work Your Own Game program is supported and coordinated together with Phil Allen, one of Europe’s highly respected golf coaches. Phil has worked at the highest levels of the game and has extensive experience coaching elite and Tour players, including many years working with players competing on the European Tour. His experience gives our WGTF professionals the opportunity to learn from coaching knowledge that normally exists at the highest level of competitive golf.

“PRO” FILE – USGTF MEMBER – MICHAEL GERARDE

By Michael Gerarde

My journey in golf started when I was younger, playing mini-golf just about on a daily basis with my father over summer vacations. After graduating college, I took a job in sales and I found that a round of golf with my clients or potential clients was the most meaningful way by a mile to connect with people. It was what inspired me to get certified and teach the sport as I loved how golf brought people together.

After a lot of research and questioning if a career change was crazy, I decided to get certified with the USGTF as I found that the program fit for how I wanted to teach. After passing the playability test in New Jersey, it gave me the confidence to pursue not only teaching, but to make teaching golf a career!

It almost felt like stealing when someone handed me money after doing a lesson for the first time. I remember thinking, “I just got paid money to do something so fun, how did that happen?!” That feeling hasn’t changed much over the years and is something that is very apparent to my students when they take a lesson with me. While there have been times that teaching is difficult, from the occasional difficult customer or technical difficulties with the training software to a lack of confidence in my own abilities, it is always nice to be able to lean into my experiences and guidance from the USGTF program.

I currently own a facility that houses two simulators and a small range for short game work that is not only for lessons but for people to connect and bond over the game we all enjoy so much!

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – ANGEL ANNUSSEK

By James Thomas

In her late 40s, a golfer friend introduced Angel Annussek to the game, suggesting it could be a fun couple’s activity. But no matter how hard and how often she swung the club, she could never contact the ball. As someone who usually picked things up easily, golf was proving to be a difficult task for Angel.

As Angel continued to improve through practice, lessons and playing, her swing and golf IQ began to improve exponentially. Driving and putting are her strengths, and at times she is out-driving the men in her playing group! But Angel will tell you that her biggest accomplishment is that now she enjoys keeping score! Her goal for this season is to break 100 and I feel confident she will.

Q. What have been some of your biggest struggles in golf, and how have you worked through them?
A. My biggest struggles pretty much all revolve around correcting a nasty chicken-wing. How I work through them is at the range with Jim – a very patient golf pro who has countless tricks up his sleeve to help an eager student fight some very counterproductive muscle memory.

Q. What are some of your biggest accomplishments in golf so far?
A. Everything! First – distance. I’ve outdriven the guys several times, which feels great! Second would be direction. I used to lose so many balls and now it’s a rarity if I lose even one. Third is putting; I’m much improved. Even sand traps don’t terrify me anymore. Overall, I guess my biggest accomplishment is that now I actually enjoy keeping score!

Q. Do you have any goals or aspirations in golf for the future?
A. I think it’d be fun to play in a league, but I’m also happy to just work on shaving strokes off my score and playing with friends!

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