BOOST YOUR CAREER WITH MASTER GOLF TEACHING PROFESSIONAL® CERTIFICATION
One of the ultimate compliments is to be known as a “master of your craft.” With the USGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional certification course, you can make that a literal reality.
Those who have been a Certified Golf Teaching Professional® for a minimum of 12 months prior to the certification class are eligible to become a Master instructor. Two classes are offered for 2025, the first one is in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 16-18, and the second one is in Fort Pierce, Florida, November 3-5 at the USGTF National Office. For more information and to register, please visit https://www.usgtf.com/master-golf-teaching-professional.
GOLF TEACHING PRO IN PRINT, DIGITAL FORM
Check your mailboxes as the annual edition of Golf Teaching Pro, the official member publication of the USGTF and WGTF, should be arriving soon if you haven’t already received your hard copy through the mail. The magazine is full of pertinent information important to all members, including instruction advice, marketing and equipment help, along with interesting features. A point of emphasis in the magazine is the international family of federations we belong to, and their stories are featured prominently in this issue. The magazine will also be made available in digital form on our website http://www.usgtf.com.
SOUTHEAST REGION CHAMPIONSHIP KICKS OFF COMPETITION FOR 2025
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.”) If you have any questions, you can reach Harman at mark@usgtf.com.
2025 PGA TOUR SCHEDULE AND CHANGES
The schedule for the 2025 PGA Tour season has been released, and there is one significant change. For the first time in decades, a Tour event is not scheduled for Las Vegas. In recent years, the event has been relegated to the fall portion of the schedule, where few eyes are focused on the PGA Tour, and Shriners’ Hospital for Children, the title sponsor, decided not to renew in 2025.
The Ryder Cup will be played at “the people’s country club,” Bethpage Black in New York, September 26-28. There is a controversy over the pricing of the tickets, which are $750 for each competition day. Otherwise, the schedule remains largely intact, with the same tournaments scheduled to host “Signature Events” in 2025.
“PRO” FILE – USGTF MEMBER “PRO” FILE – SCOTTY MCALARNEY
One of the great things about the USGTF is the longevity in the golf teaching business that so many members have achieved. And not only have they achieved longevity, but they have achieved much success.
Scotty McAlarney from Olyphant, Pennsylvania, a longtime USGTF Associate Member, is no exception. He is celebrating 25 years with his A Swing For Life Golf Academy, helping over 100 people to learn golf at any given moment, which translates into literally thousands of people over the years. He has also been the head golf coach at Mid Valley High School for 28 years.
In addition to all of this, McAlarney is the president of the Scott Greens Golf Course, which has a nine-hole course, a nine-hole putting course, and a teaching operation that employs six other teaching professionals. Remarked McAlarney, “I have traveled all over the U.S. and other countries teaching golf school boot camps, along with my certified PYGO golf fitness programs. I have worked with actor/comedian Bill Murray, former N.Y. Yankees player Jorge Posada, and MLB pitcher Max Kranick. I am also the Inventor of the patented HZ Swing trainer, which is sold all over the world.”
McAlarney is also a very talented musician, proficient in drums, guitar, keyboard, harmonica, and has performed lead and backup vocals. It is multi-talented, hardworking individuals like McAlarney who serve as the backbone of the USGTF, making the organization and its members the successes that they are.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – AUSTIN CHEEK
By Eric Cass
First, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and the best of luck in the coming new year. I would also like to extend a get-well to our fellow member Mark Harman. Mark suffered a bad foot injury and has been slow to recover and get back on the course. Get well soon, Mark.
Now, it is my pleasure to introduce a talented young man that is one of our up-and-coming junior golfers in our area, Austin Cheek of Terre Haute, Indiana. Austin has been a leader to many of our other junior golfers not only on the course, but off the golf course, as well. He is always a gentleman to others and displays a positive and controlled mindset. Self-control plays such a big part in this crazy game.
Austin’s first big goal was to make the high school golf team. Not only did he make the team as a freshman, he also made the top five. Austin’s career low round is a 4-under-par 68. His favorite golfer (other than me) is Rory McIlroy; favorite golf ball is the Titleist ProV1. His dream courses to visit would be Pebble Beach and Augusta National. The traditions and history of these courses and events make them his favorites.
When asked what golf has mean to him, his response was, “Golf has been a defining part of my life since I was young. I’ve played in the Sunday men’s game since I was 12, and each round has deepened my love for the sport. As a freshman at Terre Haute South Vigo High School, I earned a spot on the top five varsity golf team – a milestone that marked the start of an incredible journey. Alongside my passion for golf, I’ve worked hard academically, maintaining a 3.8 GPA while balancing the demands of school and sports. A big part of my success in golf is thanks to my coach, Eric Cass. Coach Cass has been a guiding light, pushing me to grow on and off the course. One of my favorite experiences has been traveling with him and other players on a bus to play different courses. These trips not only helped me develop my skills by tackling new challenges, but also created a sense of community within our team. Coach Cass’s belief in me and his dedication to teaching have been invaluable to my journey. Looking ahead, my ultimate goal is to attend Marian University on a full-ride golf scholarship. I’m eager to continue pursuing my passion for golf while excelling academically at the school that aligns with my aspirations. I’m grateful for the support of my family, coaches, and teammates who’ve been with me every step of the way. Their encouragement motivates me to keep working hard and dreaming big.”
Our program has taught more than 100,000 kids and has created an endless number of success stories since 1989. And it continues to inspire other young men and women toward a brighter future, just like Austin Cheek. Fairways and greens to all.
INDUSTRY PARTNER – LIABILITY INSURANCE THROUGH INSURANCE CANOPY
In this day and age of frequent litigation, it is important that USGTF members are protected from liability.
Insurance Canopy is offering liability insurance for golf teaching professionals. If you are an independent contractor golf teaching professional, you almost certainly will be required to have liability insurance to ply your trade at a facility. This insurance covers things that may occur during the course of a lesson environment, such as an injury or property damage.
Having the right insurance in place gives golf teaching professionals peace of mind while focusing on improving their students’ skills. Whether you’re working one-on-one or leading a small group clinic, accidents can happen in a split second—a misplaced swing, a slippery patch of grass, or even an equipment malfunction. Liability insurance ensures that if an injury or property damage occurs, you’re not left facing the financial consequences alone. It protects both you and your clients, allowing you to maintain professionalism and credibility while continuing to grow your teaching business with confidence.
Finding the right coverage can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially with the wide range of policy options and varying costs. That’s where taking advantage of tools available on this site becomes valuable. By providing access to multiple insurers and tailored coverage options, it allows professionals to compare policies that match their exact needs, from general liability to more specialized plans suited for niche sports or coaching environments. This simple approach not only helps streamline the decision-making process but also ensures that you receive comprehensive protection without paying for unnecessary extras.
The cost is $15.00 per month or $159 annually. For more information and to receive a quote, please click on https://www.insurancecanopy.com/fitness-instructor/golf-instructor-liability-insurance.
EDITORIAL – WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MASTER AND CERTIFIED GOLF TEACHING PROFESSIONAL®?
Hence, there is a distinct difference between the two. A certified teacher has learned all the basics of teaching the game of golf and is qualified to give a competent lesson to beginners, average and advanced players. A master teacher has learned and demonstrated more in-depth knowledge and abilities to the point that he or she is qualified to teach all players, including tour players. And not only that, but a USGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional has demonstrated that they cannot just give a competent lesson, but they can give an excellent lesson.
Master teaching professionals in the USGTF have to demonstrate their advanced knowledge and abilities by presenting a written thesis; pass a shotmaking demonstration and an extensive written test. Once these are accomplished, they have earned the title Master Golf Teaching Professional. To attempt to qualify at this level, a person must have been a Certified Golf Teaching Professional in good standing for a minimum of 12 months.
Many say that going through the Master Golf Teaching Professional process is the most educational thing they’ve done in terms of their teaching education. If you think you need to take your teaching to the next level, explore what the program has to offer at https://www.usgtf.com/master-golf-teaching-professional.