“PRO” FILES – SHRINERS CHILDREN’S OPEN WINNER – TOM KIM
Although he had five top-10 finishes in 2023 prior to his victory, including a second-place finish at The Open, Kim fell just short of taking his spot in the winner’s circle until Vegas. A third-round 62 propelled him to an eventual total of 20-under-par to outlast Adam Hadwin by a stroke.
Kim is only 21 years old and would be a senior in college had he taken that route. As the PGA Tour seems to get younger and younger, Kim is certain to be at the forefront of this revolution.
“PRO” FILE – USGTF MEMBER “PRO” FILE – USGTF MEMBER TONY MCMULLIN
Tony McMullin of Cincinnati, Ohio, is not your typical Master Golf Teaching Professional. His story of how hard he worked to become one would certainly tell you that. His golf career began in 2000. He was 37 years old and had recently been forced away from his first love, baseball, by an injury. But being competitive of nature, he began to look for the next chapter he could compete in. He found it in golf.
He came home one day and informed his wife that he wanted to “get into golf.” Her response was, “Well, that’s an expensive sport. You better find a way to pay for it.” Little did they both know that golf would become more than just the “thing we got into,” as McMullin now says. Realizing that he needed a place to practice and play, McMullin found a part-time gig at a local course working the pro shop desk and washing carts. In return, he made a little cash and got to play and practice for free.
McMullin worked as a truck driver at the time. His schedule was to go into work at the trucking company at 3:00 a.m. and work until 2:00 p.m. Then, he would go to the course where he worked until 9:00 p.m., three days a week. On his off days at the course, he would practice until dark, then go home and do it all again the next day.
It all paid off. Within a year, he won his flight of a local club championship. Later that year he landed a full-time job as the assistant golf professional of that same course, and his golf career was off and running.
McMullin continued to play competitively and began to teach the game of golf in 2001. He had found his passion in golf instruction. As his career continued to rise, he went from assistant golf professional to head golf professional at Harmon Golf Club in Lebanon, Ohio. It was there in 2015 he founded SmartGolf Academy. McMullin’s golf instruction and passion now had started to grow into a business. In 2018 he decided to leave the “golf course business” and go into professional golf instruction full time with his academy.
Since then, McMullin and his SmartGolf Academy have continued to grow. He joined the ranks of the USGTF in 2020, becoming a Master Golf Teaching Professional with the organization in 2021. He became the Central Region director that same year and is now a WGTF Top 50 Instructor. McMullin has taught junior golf beginners and taken them to the levels of Ohio district and state qualifiers, as well as instructing would-be college golfers.
He has taught a number of adult players who now play competitively on local and regional amateur tours, using FlightScope launch monitor technology along with video training. All the while, as McMullin says, “I am continuing to learn about the game, the swing, and how to speak people’s learning language to accelerate their performance.”
These days, you can find McMullin teaching at his golf academy at the Southwest Golf Ranch in Lebanon. He also has a full-service website and online academy, as well as a newly established YouTube channel, SmartGolf Academy’s “Golf Unplugged.” You can find out more about McMullin and the SmartGolf Academy at SmartGolfAcademy.org.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – TALEAH WASHINGTON
By Chrisopher Warner
As teaching professionals, we find ourselves associating and working with students from all walks of life, possessing numerous skill levels, and the opportunity to bring great joy to others through the wonderful sport of a lifetime.
In 2017, I was blessed with the opportunity to work with a gifted and aspiring student named Taleah Washington. The connection was quite unusual, however, in that I live in Houston, Texas, and Taleah’s parents live in South Grand Prairie, Texas, about 250 miles apart. As it was, Taleah was a freshman in high school, involved in five different sports simultaneously. At a point in time, the coaches met with her and advised her that she couldn’t possibly show up to practice every day with each activity, so she would need to choose one sport and give the rest of them up. With no hesitation however, she advised them that she wanted to be on the golf team. Here was a young black girl desiring to play on the golf team despite the fact she had never even attempted to try the sport. This did surprise the coaches, but as a headstrong and determined young lady, she had her mind made up. It was soon discovered that her parents were friends with Brittany Lang and Michelle Wie West of the LPGA Tour. Ironically, at the end of a tournament in the past, I had given Michelle a golf teaching business card with my personal information on it, asking if she would send a signed photo to hang on my wall.
I never received the picture, but Michele still had my card, which she shared with Taleah’s parents, and they were advised to give me a call. Her advice was taken and after about a 45-minute phone conversation, an agreement was made for me to work with Taleah. From the beginning, there were two recognizable aspects that excelled her very rapidly. One was her absolute focus on what she was learning, and the other was her great attitude. She was patient and willing to absorb any information I provided to her. Her determination to succeed was unquestionable, and she gave it all that she had with a true spirit of learning. Every afternoon after school, she would go to the range and hit balls as well as play until it was too dark to see.
Beyond the typical teaching of striking the ball and obtaining consistency, I taught her how to work the ball and endure adversity in awkward and unusual situations. This built her confidence and ability to properly navigate any course, no matter the conditions. As a result of her diverse capabilities and navigational skills, she was very successful in winning numerous tournaments and setting records. In May 2018, she was invited to participate in the Colonial Junior Invitational. To add to that, she worked at the Ben Hogan Learning Center with The First Tee program and was selected to participate in a PGA Tour Champions event representing the state of Texas alongside Rod Pampling at Pebble Beach in 2021.
Taleah has since gone on to enjoy a full golf scholarship at Prairie View A&M University, where she is majoring in business administration and marketing. All of this is a result of her sheer determination, sacrifice, and ability to decide what she wants in life and not allowing anything to discourage her. I couldn’t be prouder.
INDUSTRY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT – VOLVIK
Volvik, maker of the famous selection of colored golf balls and holder of numerous patents, has partnered with the USGTF to offer members in good standing a personal use discount. Members will be eligible for 20% off the wholesale price of its entire line of golf balls. For more information and to take advantage of this discount, please contact the USGTF National Office at member_services@usgtf.com or call (772) 88-USGTF (772) 888-7483).
EDITORIAL – INTRODUCTION AND IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEW VIRTUAL GOLF LEAGUE BY TIGER WOODS & RORY MCLLROY
In August 2022, the formation of the TGL was announced in partnership with the PGA Tour. Tiger Woods’ and Rory McIlroy’s joint company would run the new virtual, indoor golf league, using a giant simulator and a real-grass putting green and chipping area. Six teams of PGA Tour players would compete in prime time at a specially built facility in South Florida with a capacity to seat 2,000 fans.
All that came crashing down – literally – this past fall when a power failure caused the inflatable roof and ceiling to collapse. As a result, the start of the new golf league has been pushed back to 2025.
TGL (what the initials stand for is unknown, but a good guess is Tiger Golf League) is attempting to take advantage of the ever-present technology encroaching on every aspect of modern life. It is also an attempt to appeal to the Topgolf crowd that may never set foot on an actual golf course but enjoys hitting balls with their friends in an exciting atmosphere. TGL certainly promises that.
The end result is anything new and exciting concerning golf is a good thing. And anything in golf with Woods’ involvement draws eyeballs. Whether the new league will survive long-term remains to be seen, but at present it seems like a refreshing new take on the old game.
2024 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL IS HERE!
It is important for all USGTF members to remain in good standing, as they have the right to publicly identify themselves as USGTF members, along with enjoying many member benefits and amenities. Member renewal notices have been sent to all current members, so check your mailbox. You may also keep your membership in good standing by visiting https://www.usgtf.
FIVE CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT U.S. CUP
Three individual champions and two team winners captured division titles at the 2023 United States Golf Teachers Cup, contested October 9-10 at the Revere Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ken Kim continued his fine play in USGTF events, following up his win earlier in the year in the Southeast Region Championship with a victory in the U.S. Cup’s Open division. His two-round total of even-par 144 bested runner-up Eric Slosek by eight shots. Kirk Junge took home the Senior division title, his 4-under-par winning by six over runner-up Yi Zhou. In the Super Senior division, Rox Cox captured yet another USGTF title, his 2-over-par 146 defeating Ron Platz by 10. Complete scores can be found at www.2023uscup.golfgenius.com.
For the third consecutive U.S. Cup, a concurrent pro-am was conducted, with USGTF professional Pamela Montgomery teaming with amateur Cherokee Montgomery to win. Next year’s U.S. Cup will also be held in Las Vegas at a course to be named at a later date.
NEWS FROM WGTF-JAPAN
By Hajime Morita
In 2020, there were many people who began playing golf during COVID-19 restrictions in Japan that limited people’s activities, such as going out or traveling. However, the data released in July 2023 showed that about 20 percent of the new golfers have quit golf.
According to the report by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, golf courses in Japan had about ¥29.6 billion in sales between April and June 2023. The sales amount slightly increased from the previous year. The sales generated at driving ranges declined a little to about ¥9.1 billion during the same period, maintaining the sales growth brought by the COVID-19 positive effects.
However, the number of people who play at a golf course or a driving range is decreasing. On the other side, we have positive news. Recently, college golfers have joined the USGTF-Japan certification courses. It is great news that the career of a teaching professional is recognized as a good option by young golfers who are expected to be a leader of the next generation. More and more young golfers want to work as a teaching professional.
People can find any answer by searching on the internet, but to improve at golf takes time. The
systematized learning system of USGTF solves this issue and will be increasingly needed in the future.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – ADRIAN TREJO
By Pamela Montgomery, USGTF Member
Adrian Trejo decided to play golf as an outlet due to the Covid restrictions of 2020. He comes from a family rich in tradition. His father and mother have guided their sons to work hard and be honorable young men. His older brother, a police officer, suggested they try the game at a weekly family meeting. Now, all the men play…they caught the “golf bug.”
Adrian approached me about joining the team at Canyon Springs High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s been a roller coaster ride ever since. I am a USGTF certified instructor, license #6108. My other job is that of a schoolteacher for the Clark County School District in Las Vegas. I became the golf coach in the 2022-2023 school year. When Adrian walked into my classroom and asked what he needed to do to play, both our lives changed.
Adrian has a background rich in football. He was a team captain, leader, and role model for others. Adrian is an honor student driven to always do and be his very best. This all made my job so much easier. Adrian not only joined the team, but made it to the Nevada State Championship his very first year as a competitive golfer. Together we have concentrated on improving his short game and making better club selections for specific shots. Our game plan also focused on controlling his power and accuracy off the tee.
We are charting his GIRs, putts and fairways. Adrian is a fierce competitor and finds golf extremely self-rewarding. He loves the game more than ever, mostly because he sees that hard work and dedication pay off. This year, Adrian has decided to concentrate on golf. He sees his future in golf as a lifelong passion.
It has been a true honor for me as a USGTF instructor to see my student achieve so much in such a short time. We are both excited about where golf might take him. Not only is he strong, athletic and intrinsically motivated, but he has the biggest heart of anyone I have ever had the pleasure of teaching. Keep watching for this name, Adrian Trejo; we may see it on TV someday.