30 Jun 2025

– BECOME ONE WITH ALL GOLF TEACHING PROFFESSIONALS AROUND THE WORLD THROUGH ONE WGTF LOGO –



As noted above in this e-newsletter, all member nations of the World Golf Teachers Federation will become known in 2026 as WGTF-(country name). This will give all WGTF member nations one recognizable brand name that will be familiar to golfers worldwide.

Yes, for those of you who are living in the United States, this means that the organization name that you have been familiar with since 1989, the United States Golf Teachers Federation (USGTF) will be no more, but fear not! Market research by the National Office shows more promise for greater name recognition with the new name, and it should only enhance the organization and its future programs going forward.

Please also know this was done by careful consideration and extensive market research led by newly named marketing director Jerry Ellstrom, along with WGTF CEO and president Brandon Lee’s considerable business experience and acumen. So, beginning in 2026, look for your membership card to have a new look and a new organization name, marking a new future in the golf teaching industry.
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30 Jun 2025

USGTF INDUSTRY PARTNER – SWING PROFILE

When it comes to rangefinders for golf, the undisputed leader is Bushnell. As the most popular rangefinder among PGA Tour players and their caddies, Bushnell offers unrivaled quality for golfers of all abilities.

Their newest rangefinder, the Pro X3+, offers just about every possible feature that can be found, including 7x magnification, slope compensation, wind speed and direction, and is waterproof. Other Bushnell products offer 6x magnification with their famous Pinseeker with Visual JOLT technology and are water resistant.

Bushnell offers all USGTF members in good standing a personal use discount. For more information, please contact the USGTF National Office at (772) 88-USGTF
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30 Jun 2025

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT- MARENA FONTANET

By Dennis Caban

USGTF professional Dennis Caban is coaching one of the top junior talents in Hormigueros, Puerto Rico, and her name is Marena Fontanet. Marena was awarded Puerto Rico Junior of the Year for 2024, and has desires to play NCAA Division 1 golf in the United States. She also hopes to travel the world with golf in her future.

In regard to her award, Marena said, “It felt amazing to see my hard work pay off, and it motivated me to keep pushing myself. Another big moment was winning the Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championship in 2023, competing with girls from all the Caribbean. Also, qualifying for my first AJGA event at 13 years old.”

As to her approach to the game, Marena said, “One of my biggest struggles has been working on my mental game and consistency. There were times when I felt frustrated because I wasn’t improving as fast as I wanted. But I’ve learned that patience and practice are key. My coach, Dennis Caban, has really helped me understand that progress takes time, and now I focus on improving a little bit every day.”

Marena started playing golf at six years of age, introduced to the game by her dad. She said at first it was for fun, but she loved the challenge and wanted to get better. If what she has accomplished so far is an indication, she should have a great chance at realizing her dreams.
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30 Jun 2025

“PRO” FILE – USGTF MEMBER CY FREDERICK

I have been a USGTF Certified Golf Teaching Professional since June 2022. I have been coaching the middle school golf program at my school, Faith Lutheran Middle School and High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, since 2012. I have been coaching the varsity girls golf team since 2022.

In my tenure as the middle school golf coach, I have also acted as commissioner for our self-made league, Southern Nevada Middle School Golf League. What started out as just two schools in 2008 has grown to 12 schools this past season. Between ourselves and the other schools, we make up three divisions of four teams each. Weekly, from April to May, we orchestrate nine-hole league matches across the Las Vegas Valley for over 150 5th-through-8th graders. I consider the growth of this league and the game of golf for the youth in Nevada one of my favorite achievements.
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30 Jun 2025

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Well, this is getting old. Each month we feature a professional golfer who wins a big tournament, and the name Scottie Scheffler keeps popping up about as frequently as the name Tiger Woods did. Scheffler did it again, winning the PGA Championship to capture his third major title at the age of 28.

Speaking of Woods, comparisons to his dominance are apt with Scheffler, as when he plays even marginally well he is in contention. He had a slow start – for him – to begin the year as he was still trying to work his way back into form after offseason hand surgery. But after a record-tying performance at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, Scheffler once again proved himself the most dominant golfer since Woods at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina, site of the PGA Championship.

Scheffler now has two legs of the career Grand Slam, the Masters and PGA, and golf commentator and former touring pro Colt Knost speculated that it would be no surprise to see Scheffler complete the career Grand Slam this year. And if he does, it would be one of the most spectacular performances in golf history.
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30 Jun 2025

REGION UPDATE



United States Golf Teachers Cup – The 29th annual championship will be held Monday and Tuesday, September 22-23, at Stallion Mountain Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada. Registration can be found at http://www.usgtf.com/uscup/

Region championships are a great way to participate in a USGTF competition with a cost-effective structure, and did you know that all USGTF and WGTF members are eligible to compete regardless of residence? Here is the schedule at press time:

Central – The USGTF Central Region Championship will be played Sunday and Monday, June 22-23, at Walden Ponds Golf Club in Hamilton, Ohio (a suburb of Cincinnati). The entry fee is $250 and includes two rounds of tournament golf and prize money. Tony McMullin is the region director, and for more information and to enter, you may contact him at tmcmullin72@yahoo.com.

Southwest – The USGTF Southwest Region Championship will be played Saturday and Sunday, September 6-7, at The Golf Club at Twin Creeks in Allen, Texas, just north of Dallas. There will be a practice round on Friday, September 5, with a meet and greet later that evening at 6:00 p.m. The entry fee is $250 with an optional $20 skins game each day. For more information and to enter, please contact region director Bruce Sims at bsims@pga.com.

Northeast – The USGTF Northeast Region Championship will be played Thursday, June 19th, at Mountain View Golf Course in Ewing, NJ. The entry fee is $185 and tee times will begin at 12 noon. The deadline to register is Thursday, June 12th. Bob Corbo is the region director, and for more information and to enter, you may contact him at simductivegolf@gmail.com.
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30 Jun 2025

NEWS FROM TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

USGTF member Ricky Campbell, is slowly establishing himself as the leading instructor of junior golf in Trinidad and Tobago. The USGTF Hall of Fame inductee is one of four professionals in the country with a WGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional certification and one of only two who are Certified Examiners.

He is a former WGTF Top 100 instructor (now Top 50) and was recently certified by the Special Olympics Committee, along with his assistant coach Akeisha Williams, to teach special needs children. As such, alongside other members of his academy, he has been teaching 15 children from the School for the Deaf, Speech and Language in Bon Accord, Tobago.

Recently, he hosted a dinner and awards ceremony for the children of the Royal Canadian Golf Association to which students and parents were invited. Campbell visited the U.S. last year where he held discussions with a leading university to partner with them to provide scholarships. He is now in collaboration with prominent businesses in Trinidad to set up a scholarship fund. To date, he has 40 children, aged between 4 and 16, in the academy. His vision is not only to have his students play at a high standard of golf, but also to be well rounded and grounded individuals.  
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30 Jun 2025

US CUP REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Combining fun, camaraderie and great competition at a great venue is what the United States Golf Teachers Cup is all about, and registration for this year’s event is now open. Stallion Mountain Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada, will host this year’s event on Monday and Tuesday, September 22-23. Three divisions will be contested: Open, Senior and Super Senior, and women competitors will receive a yardage break. The entry fee is $595 and includes two tournament rounds of golf, range balls prior to play, prize money and an awards luncheon and ceremony following the competition. As in the past few years, a pro-am format will be utilized where USGTF competitors may bring an amateur partner to participate in the concurrent pro-am, although it is not mandatory to bring a partner. You may now sign up at http://www.usgtf.com/uscup.

 

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19 Jun 2025

MERGE USGTF/ WGTF LOGO TO WGTF FROM 2026



Starting in 2026, all World Golf Teacher Federation member nations will be officially under the banner of the WGTF logo, and will also include the name of the country in the newly-named federation. For example, the WGTF will be known as WGTF-United States, replacing the name United States Golf Teachers Federation, which was in existence since 1989. This change is to better reflect the global nature of the game of golf, and officially puts all WGTF member nations under one umbrella organization that will enhance all organizations under one brand that will be recognizable wherever you go.
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