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1 Feb 2025 admin

WGTF IN PROCESS OF REBUILDING GERMAN FEDERATION

Germany, represented by the Deutschland Golf Teachers Federation (DGTF), was one of the earliest members of the World Golf Teachers Federation when the WGTF was formed in 1993. After an initial period of strong growth under the late Achim Picht, the DGTF’s momentum stalled. A couple of revival efforts in recent years fell short.

Today, the DGTF is being reformulated as the WGTF of Germany under the leadership of Bjorn Beekman, who currently runs the WGTF of The Netherlands. Germany has the second-most golfers of any European country behind only England, so the demand for qualified teaching professionals should be strong. The WGTF, under the direction of USGTF president and CEO Brandon Lee, is assisting in Beekman’s efforts and should produce strong results for 2025.

1 Feb 2025 admin

REGION UPDATE – SE REGION CHAMPIONSHIP THIS MONTH

Southeast – The USGTF Southeast Region Championship will be played Tuesday and Wednesday, February 25-26, at Harbor Hills Country Club in Lady Lake, Florida, located approximately halfway between Ocala and Orlando. Harbor Hills is an outstanding venue, extremely scenic and in excellent condition. It has previously hosted a PGA Tour-affiliated event, proving its worth as a championship venue.

Tees will be based on age and gender. The entry fee of $245 includes two rounds of tournament golf, range balls prior to play, and prize money. You may enter one of three ways: by check to region director Mark Harman, 1656 Colony Dr., Ridgeland SC 29936; Venmo @MarkHarman, or PayPal markharmangolf@aol.com. (Please be advised the spelling is “Harman” and not “Harmon.”) The entry deadline is Monday, February 17. If you have any questions, you can reach Harman at mark@usgtf.com.

1 Feb 2025 admin

“PRO” FILE – TOURING PROFESSIONAL HIDEKI MATSUYAMA

How would you like to shoot 32-under for four rounds and not win? That scenario happened in the PGA Tour’s first event of the season, The Sentry, when Collin Morikawa fired that number only to fall three strokes short of winner Hideki Matsuyama. What in the world is going on on today’s PGA Tour? The Sentry is played at Kapalua in Maui, Hawaii, a course known for generous fairways and ease of play, since it is, after all, a resort course. Having a par of 73 helps the cause, too.

Coming off a very good year in 2024 where he won twice and scored seven top-10 finishes in 20 events, Matsuyama picked up where he left off at Maui. He grabbed the second-round lead with a pair of 65s and then put his foot to the floor, firing a 62 in the third round before a final-round 65 closed the deal. He is one of the best ballstrikers on the PGA Tour, finishing 33rd in strokes-gained-driving and 15th in strokes-gained-approach shots in 2024. He continued that fine ballstriking in capturing the Sentry.

Matsuyama is the most successful Asian golfer to ever play on the PGA Tour. In addition to his 11 PGA Tour wins, he is also a major champion, having captured the Masters in 2021.

1 Feb 2025 admin

“PRO” FILE – USGTF MEMBER SETH DICHARD

(Courtesy of Seth Dichard)

Seth Dichard, the founder of the Seth Dichard Golf Schools & Centers, has solidified his place as a prominent figure in the New England golfing community. His remarkable journey in the realm of golf began at a young age, influenced by his father’s involvement in the sport. From playing locally during his high school years to competing in college at Pfeiffer University, Dichard’s passion for golf only grew stronger.

This dedication eventually led him to pursue teaching, a path he embarked on starting in 2000 under the guidance of renowned instructors Dr. Jim Suttie and Jim Mclean. In 2005, Dichard realized his dream by establishing the Seth Dichard Golf Schools, a testament to his commitment to sharing his knowledge and skills with aspiring golfers. He not only shaped the skills of LPGA Tour player Alison Walshe from Westford, Massachusetts, he also mentored numerous club, state, regional and national champions. His expertise has been acknowledged by industry authorities, earning him accolades as a Top 50 WGTF Teacher, a Top 25 Instructor in New England by New England Golf Monthly and recognized by Golf Digest as one of the Best Teachers-by-State in New Hampshire.

In addition to his exceptional teaching abilities, Dichard is the mastermind behind the Putt-Rite Speed Trainer, a cutting-edge putting aid he invented in 2018 which is embraced by his students and both PGA and LPGA professionals. With an impressive track record of nearly 25,000 lessons taught, Dichard recently launched New Hampshire’s number-one premier indoor golf center in 2021. This state-of-the-art facility boasts seven top-of-the-line indoor golf simulators with two private teaching bays, a professional club fitting and repair shop and a convenient bag room for golfers.

His unwavering dedication to the sport and commitment to nurturing talent shine through in every swing and every lesson he imparts, establishing him as a true professional in the world of golf.

1 Feb 2025 admin

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – DANIEL KIM

Daniel Kim, son of USGTF member Micah Kim from Mukilteo, Washington, started golf at 7 years old. His brother was 10, and they started at the same time. The goal was to go out and have fun as a family. Once Daniel started playing, he wanted to become a tournament golfer. Micah, who wasn’t a USGTF member at the time, told him to practice every day and take lessons.

Eventually Micah signed up for a USGTF certification class conducted by now-USGTF president and CEO Brandon Lee so he could better teach his son. Daniel achieved a lot of success in state and local tournaments under his father’s tutelage. He often finished in the top three and played high school golf where his team won the 4A state championship his freshman year. He finished second individually in the state his junior year, and upon graduation played collegiately for Washington State. After his sophomore year, he transferred to Gonzaga University.

Even though he is an accomplished golfer, grades are his number one priority. He studies computer data analysis, and although academic achievement is his current main priority, he wants to try to play golf at the next level. His dad Micah’s coaching philosophy for golf is for kids to have fun playing with their parents and friends, and then tournament golf if desired. He also believes golf, being an athletic sport, requires a strong body, and time management is a huge key. According to Micah, these are crucial in achieving success as a player.

1 Feb 2025 admin

USGTF INDUSTRY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT – BUSHNELL RANGEFINDERS

Bushnell, the most trusted rangefinder in use on the PGA Tour, is introducing two new rangefinders for 2025, the Pro X3+Link and the A1-SLOPE. The Pro X3+Link offers wind speed and direction, dual display technology, patented locking slope-switch technology, patented PinSeeker with Visual JOLT technology, integrated BITE magnetic cart mount, IPX7 fully waterproof and Bluetooth connectivity to the Bushnell Golf Mobile App, among its features. The A1-SLOPE is the smallest Bushnell rangefinder made, and has patented, tour trusted slope technology, slope on/off through mode button, PinSeeker with JOLT technology, ranges 350+ yards to a flag, 6x magnification and a rechargeable battery, among its features.

Bushnell offers USGTF members a personal use discount on all products. For more information, please contact the USGTF National Office at (772) 88-USGTF or (772) 595-6490.