* USGTF Monthly Newsletter * Archives - United States Golf Teachers Federation

30 Jan 2026 admin

WGTF-GERMANY REBUILDING STRONGER THAN EVER

By Bjorn Beekman

Over the past years, WGTF-Germany has developed into a mature and forward-thinking organization within European golf. Its growth is not driven by volume or visibility, but by a clear focus on quality, structure, and long-term impact from education to elite performance.

WGTF-Germany has already delivered in 2025 multiple Level III education programs, designed around modern coaching principles such as long-term athlete development, skill acquisition, and constraints-led learning. The central goal of these programs is simple: to ensure coaches can translate knowledge into effective practice.

A defining strength of the German pathway has been the close cooperation with the Dutch WGTF expertise, creating an international framework while remaining sensitive to the specific demands of the German golf environment. This international collaboration is intentional. It fosters knowledge exchange, shared standards, and a common WGTF coaching language at a master level.

Education within WGTF-Germany is closely connected to the club environment. To date, 46 golf courses across Germany have entered into formal WGTF partnerships. These clubs function as development platforms where education, player pathways, and coaching standards come together. Together with WGTF-Germany departments and certified instructors, structured WGTF courses are now being delivered directly at partner clubs. These programs are taught by German WGTF instructors working in cooperation with Dutch colleagues, ensuring continuity, quality, and international alignment.

An important element of WGTF-Germany’s development is the constructive and ongoing dialogue with the German Golf Federation. This alignment positions WGTF education as a complementary pathway within the broader German golf structure, supporting shared goals such as coach quality, player development, and long-term sustainability.

With a strong education pathway, an expanding club network, a dedicated high-performance education center, and proven impact at the elite level, WGTF-Germany is entering a new phase. The focus moving forward is clear: deepen quality, strengthen international cooperation, and continue connecting education, technology, and performance in a coherent and sustainable system. WGTF-Germany is not simply developing coaches. It is demonstrating how modern coach education can shape the future of the game.

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30 Jan 2026 admin

“PRO” FILE – TEACHER SPOTLIGHT – DREW FREEMAN

By Drew Freeman

My journey in sports began on the baseball field. Growing up, baseball was my main sport. I was fortunate to earn a college scholarship as a pitcher, but two years into my collegiate career, an injury abruptly ended that dream. It was a tough moment, but it led me to something just as meaningful, golf.

After stepping away from baseball, I found golf to be both a new challenge and a healing outlet. It gave me the focus I needed and allowed me to rediscover my competitive spirit. I eventually transferred to the University of Pikeville in Kentucky, where I joined the golf team and continued to develop my game. At the same time, I began working at a local golf course. What started as a job quickly turned into a passion. I enjoyed the environment, the people, and the game itself so much that I stayed on even after graduation.

In 2016, I earned my teaching professional certification through the United States Golf Teachers Federation (USGTF). This opened the door for me to be the course teaching pro, something I found deeply rewarding. I also began coaching a local school team, which allowed me to share my knowledge and love for the game with young athletes.

Life eventually pulled me in a different direction, and for a time, I stepped away from coaching and teaching. But in the past year, I found my way back to the game that helped shape who I am. I’ve returned to coaching, and it’s been a joy to once again help kids discover and fall in love with golf.

The USGTF and World Golf Teachers Federation (WGTF) have had a profound impact on my journey. Their certification programs not only gave me the credentials to teach but also connected me to a community of professionals who are passionate about growing the game. Golf has taught me patience, resilience, and the value of lifelong learning, lessons I try to pass on to every student I coach.

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30 Jan 2026 admin

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – KEVIN OLLIE

(Note: If the name Kevin Ollie is familiar, it is because he played basketball for the University of Connecticut, coached them, and played and coached in the NBA. His golf coach is USGTF member Deron Owens, who conducted the following Q and A.)

1. How did you get started in golf, and at what age did you begin playing?

I was introduced to the game of golf by my former college teammate at UConn, Donny Marshall. He encouraged me to give golf a try, and I officially picked up a set of clubs at the age of 33. Although I started later than many golfers, I was immediately drawn to the challenge, strategy, and discipline the game demands, which closely mirrors the competitive mindset I developed through basketball.

2. What have been some of your biggest struggles in golf, and how have you worked through them?

My biggest struggle in golf has been trying to be too perfect. Like many athletes, I initially approached golf with unrealistic expectations, wanting flawless execution on every shot. Over time, I’ve learned to manage that mindset by allowing myself margins for error and embracing the concept of “good misses.” Understanding that golf is a difficult game—and that even the best players miss shots—has helped me stay patient, relaxed, and more consistent.

3. What are some of your most significant accomplishments in golf so far?

One of my most significant accomplishments in golf has been lowering my handicap to under 10. This milestone represents not just improved ball striking and scoring, but also a better understanding of course management, mental discipline, and decision-making. It reflects the work I’ve put into learning the game and continuing to improve despite starting later in life.

4. Do you have any goals or aspirations in golf for the future?

My primary goal in golf is to continue enjoying the game and appreciating everything it offers. Beyond performance, I value golf as a platform to build meaningful relationships, connect with others, and spend quality time on the course. Long term, I want golf to remain a positive, enjoyable part of my lifestyle rather than a source of pressure.

5. Do you have any social media handles you’d like to share with us?

Yes, you can follow me on Instagram at @coachkevinollie, where I share insights, experiences, and moments from both golf and life.

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30 Jan 2026 admin

EDITORIAL – IS THE PATH TO THE PGA TOUR BECOMING TOO RESTRICTED?

At a time when all major sports in the United States have expanded, the PGA Tour is thinking about…contracting? As hard as it seems to believe, this is a real possibility. New commissioner Brian Rolapp comes from a background in the NFL, where he says that “less is better” and this creates demand. He also has a desire to see the best players in the world teeing it up with each other more frequently.

We believe Rolapp is missing the boat on several things. First, the PGA Tour is not the NFL. There are currently over 40 PGA Tour events every year and no shortage of sponsors willing to pony up the money to fund the purses. Telling a dozen or more that the Tour no longer wants their money seems nonsensical. Second, the PGA Tour coming to town is one of the, if not the biggest, events coming to town annually, and to cut out a whole bunch of cities from hosting events makes little sense.

But perhaps most disturbing is the fact that field size is also going to be contracted, meaning fewer players on the PGA Tour. In an age where the talent pool is the deepest it’s ever been, Rolapp wants to eliminate opportunities. This means that, while the upper-echelon players benefit, those outside the top 50 will be scrambling to make a living in professional golf. One thing he might want to consider is players have multiple friends, fans, and acquaintances where they live or went to school, and this promotes widespread interest in the Tour. Fewer players equal lesser interest by definition.

If Rolapp’s vision comes to pass – and it looks like it will – hopefully the Tour can find a meaningful way to provide players who are not superstars with a way of competing that keeps the fans engaged. Only time will tell.

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