* USGTF Monthly Newsletter *

31 Dec 2025 admin

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE USGTF AND WGTF!

Welcome to the New Year! It’s a time of making resolutions and plans for 2026. What do you have in mind for the coming new year? If there is anything that the USGTF National Office can do to help make your year the most successful you’ve had, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our phone number is (772) 88-USGTF, which is also (772) 888-7483, and you can reach us through email at either info@usgtf.com or member_services@usgtf.com. Our national staff is at the ready to hear from you and help you make 2026 a successful one.

31 Dec 2025 admin

ONE-YEAR GRACE PERIOD FOR USGTF LOGO ANNOUNCED

Beginning in 2027, an exciting new chapter in the history of the USGTF will be unfolding, as the organization will officially be fully a part of the World Golf Teachers Federation, to be known as WGTF-USA. This is to give WGTF members around the world one federation to belong to, as opposed to the current situation of many different federations.

However, to help current USGTF members transition into the new name and logo, a grace period for 2026 has been announced by president and CEO Brandon Lee to give members time to make necessary adjustments to their promotional and identification materials. If anyone needs assistance in making these changes, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the National Office.

31 Dec 2025 admin

GOLF TEACHING PRO MAGAZINE: AN IMPORTANT COMMUNICATION VEHICLE

If you haven’t already, you will soon be receiving the print edition of Golf Teaching Pro magazine in your mailbox. Articles pertinent to all members are featured. This publication is an important tool in maintaining communication with all members and serves to bring all relevant happenings to members on an annual basis.

In this edition, the 29th annual United States Golf Teachers Cup is recapped, with all the exciting details that emerged out of the tournament in Las Vegas. There is also an expanded update section about the WGTF federations around the world, highlighting the global nature of our organization. Finally, articles that will help you improve your teaching and business are featured, something that every USGTF and WGTF member can benefit from. Also, if you are interested in writing an article for next year’s edition, please feel free to submit it to info@usgtf.com.

31 Dec 2025 admin

REGION EVENT NEWS

Southeast – Get out of the cold! The 2026 USGTF Southeast Region Championship will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, February 24-25 at Juliette Falls Golf Course in Dunnellon, Florida, one of the state’s most acclaimed public courses. New for 2026, the tournament is open to all past and present WGTF members and all may bring one guest who is employed a minimum of 20+ hours a week in the golf industry. Tee assignments will be based on age and gender. The entry fee of $295 covers two rounds of tournament golf, range balls prior to play and a prize fund. The entry deadline is Friday, February 13, and you may enter by Venmo @MarkHarman, Pay Pal markharmangolf@aol.com, or by regular mail Mark Harman, 1656 Colony Dr., Ridgeland SC 29936.

31 Dec 2025 admin

PROFESSIONAL TOUR UPDATE

Unlike in past years, the PGA Tour will not be starting with its traditional Tournament of Champions in Hawaii in January due to drought conditions at Maui’s Kapalua Resort, home to the event. Instead, the season will commence at the Sony Open in Hawaii, an event that has been played at the same venue for decades. The rest of the schedule for 2026 looks as it has in the past, with Signature Events at Riviera, Muirfield and Harbour Town, among others.

There is also word that the schedule for 2027 will be dramatically different than what we are used to seeing, with a potential starting date for the Tour after the Super Bowl. New PGA Tour commissioner Brian Rolapp comes from a background in the NFL, and the word is he believes less is better, which is why we may see a greatly reduced schedule in the coming years.

On the LPGA Tour, which has been in actuality a worldwide tour for quite some time, will feature seven tournaments in Asia and three in Europe, in addition to the normal slate in North America.

31 Dec 2025 admin

“PRO” FILE – USGTF MEMBER – GARY SOBCZAK

By Gary Sobczak

The USGTF has opened many doors for me and given legitimacy, even in Speedgolf circles which is a real passion. Many ask, why Speedgolf? We are in a sport “with which not too many are familiar,” as it has been said of only a few regular golf players. Speedgolfers at any level can’t help but feel they are in a special sport where only a few “get it.” It must be similar to what elite players of any sport experience.

There are many reasons to play Speedgolf, spread across age, gender, and international borders. Simply, it plays faster, taking about an hour to play 18 holes at a relaxing jog. It feels more free while playing. It’s just you and the environment. It fosters a healthy lifestyle by increasing cardio, muscular and mobility aspects of health conditioning. Mind freeing is also a huge benefit. While jogging along, your mind doesn’t get clogged up with all the how-to’s for striking your golf ball.

Speedgolf has afforded me the opportunity to compete in over 55 tournaments worldwide, coming in first place quite a few times. As for teaching, I enjoy teaching regular golf to beginners, seasoned golfers and juniors. I mostly like to see the quick improvements they begin to experience with their golf game and share their excitement with them. I emphasize what I’ve learned through years of playing regular golf as well as Speedgolf, that less thinking and simplicity are best. Thanks to the USGTF for our organization and its benefit to golfers around the world.

31 Dec 2025 admin

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – GRAYSON ISABELLA

By Michael Iannotti

My journey in golf has been nothing less than an incredible time teaching this incredible game. I’ve been fortunate to be the golf professional at Holland Meadows G.C. in Gloversville, New York, for the past 26 years. During that time, I’ve given thousands of lessons and thousands of club fittings. Although that has all been a success, the greatest success has been watching the progress of the younger generation excel in the game. There is no greater joy than to see the progress of one of your students from season to season. With that being said, I’ve worked with one particular student for the past 4-5 seasons and the progress has been phenomenal.

Grayson Isabella is a sophomore at Fonda High School in upstate New York and has been playing golf since he was 4 years old. His grandmother started teaching him golf and bought him his first set of clubs. They still play together now. Grayson is a scholar/athlete who maintains a 95+ average. His accomplishments on the course include qualifying for sectionals this season, shaving nine strokes off his average from last season, and having an 11-2 record against his high school opponents. His future goals and aspirations would be to qualify for the state championship and to share the sport with others so that more people play. Not playing consistently has been his biggest struggle, but he’s trying to correct that by being patient and taking his time while continuing lessons with me.

I could not be any prouder of Grayson and what he has accomplished in the short period of time that we have worked together! He is just simply a winner with a drive to become the best player and person he can be, and for that I could not be any more grateful. I’m looking forward to many more lessons and time spent with Grayson. He is what any instructor would love to have. I hope most instructors have had this experience because it is like no other!

31 Dec 2025 admin

USGTF INDUSTRY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT – Insurance Canopy

If you’re an independent contractor golf teaching professional or a sole proprietor, you need liability insurance in case the unthinkable happens. While accidents on the lesson tee are not common, they do happen and the instructor may be liable. Fortunately, a solution exists in Insurance Canopy, a company that offers liability insurance to golf instructors at an affordable rate. They cover third-party claims (such as if your student hits a shot that causes damage or injury) and lifetime coverage. For more information, please visit https://www.insurancecanopy.com/fitness-business-insurance/golf.