* USGTF Monthly Newsletter *

27 Feb 2026 admin

MEMBERSHIP DUES DEADLINE EXTENDED

Those wishing to renew their USGTF membership for 2026 are now past due, and the $25 late fee that was scheduled to increase to $50 on March 1 has been moved to March 7 to give those who are late in renewing time to see this notice. USGTF/WGTF membership comes with many benefits, among them the right to continue to identify oneself as a member in good standing. You may renew at https://www.usgtf.com/annual-membership-renewal.

27 Feb 2026 admin

NEWS FROM HONG KONG

The 2025 National Games of the People’s Republic of China opened this past September, while the golf events were hosted by the Hong Kong SAR division. The competition was held at the historic Hong Kong SAR Golf Club in Fanling. This marked the first time Hong Kong SAR hosted all golf events of the National Games, with four gold medals for men’s and women’s individual and team categories, making it a truly significant occasion. For Hong Kong SAR golf fans and fans coming from other countries, witnessing top-tier competitions right at their doorstep was a rare opportunity as well as watching Hong Kong SAR teams.

With over a century of history, the Fanling course is the oldest championship golf course still in use in Asia. It is not only professionally maintained with excellent facilities but is also renowned for its challenging design. Earlier, Wei Qingfeng, Secretary-General of the China Golf Association, inspected the venue and praised it for meeting the standards required for the National Games. He further noted that Hong Kong SAR’s cool weather in November, especially if windy, would increase the course’s difficulty, making players’ adaptability and strategy a decisive factor in the competition. The HKGTF the hosted China Golf Association and provided assistance during the event as both are long-term partners.

The Hong Kong SAR team lineup for the National Games was led by Kho Taichi, the individual gold medalist at the Hangzhou Asian Games, who alongside with his teammates won the team bronze medal. Kho has achieved remarkable success since turning professional in 2023. He became the first Hong Kong SAR golfer to win an Asian Tour event and then clinched gold at the Asian Games, outshining renowned Korean and PGA Tour player Im Sung-jae.

Two of the coaches of China National Golf Team are now working with Zhang Bin Lin in the Golf Industry College Hebei Oriental University. Zhang serves as the Dean of the College and is a HKGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional, while HKGTF president Steve Mak acts as the Technical Director of the college. The HKGTF will hold two certification courses in 2026.

27 Feb 2026 admin

REGION EVENT NEWS

U.S. PRO HICKORY – Mark Harman from Ridgeland, South Carolina, captured his second John Shippen Trophy when he outlasted a field of professional players to claim the 2026 United States Professional Hickory Championship, played February 15 at Temple Terrace Country Club in Tampa, Florida. Overcoming high winds, Harman fired a 78 to edge runner-up and tournament founder Mike Stevens of Tampa. The event is held annually as a celebration of the history of golf as well as that of Temple Terrace, which hosted the top professionals of the day (including Walter Hagan and Gene Sarazen) at the 1925 Florida Open.

SOUTHEAST REGION CHAMPIONSHIP – Proving to be an inhospitable host, region director Mark Harman followed up his win at the U.S. Pro Hickory with a victory at the 2026 USGTF Southeast Region Championship played at Juliette Falls in Dunnellon, Florida, February 24-25. His scores of 82-78 – 160 for the win were abnormally high, the result of Juliette Falls hosting an earlier “greenskeeper’s revenge”-type of event where the hole locations were placed in ultra-difficult situations on the greens, and the course maintenance staff was unable to cut new holes due to frost delays both mornings. Central Region director Tony McMullin finished in second at 83-80, which was a good score considering the borderline-unfair hole locations and the fact that he was far from midseason form. Scores can be found at www.2026seregion.golfgenius.com.

McMullin also announced that the USGTF Central Region Championship will be held this coming June at Walden Ponds Golf Course, just outside Cincinnati, Ohio, with the exact date to be determined. Please keep an eye out in our monthly e-newsletter for further information.

27 Feb 2026 admin

“PRO”FILE – TOURING PROFESSIONAL – JACOB BRIDGEMAN

Emerging in 2025 with four top-5 finishes and starting 2026 with two top-10 finishes in his first four starts, it seemed only a matter of time before Jacob Bridgeman broke into the winner’s circle, and he did exactly that at the Genesis Invitational this past February. Bridgeman entered the final round with a six-shot lead over Rory McIlroy, a lead seemingly safe even over perhaps the best player to ever come out of Europe, but he made things interesting by shooting +1 on Sunday, the only player who finished in the top-20 to shoot over par that day. Bridgeman’s nerves were tested when, needing a two-putt to win from 20 feet on the historic 18th hole, he left his first put almost four feet short. But he steadied himself and poured in the winning putt dead-center to claim his first PGA Tour title.

As with recent first-time winners Stephen Fisk and Michael Brennan, Bridgeman was a multiple winner in college, continuing a trend where winning breeds winning. As this new generation of potential stars emerges, Bridgeman put his name firmly into the conversation. The Clemson University product is now in his third year on the PGA Tour.

27 Feb 2026 admin

“PRO” FILE – USGTF MEMBER – ERIC SLOSEK

By Eric Slosek

My teaching career started as a volunteer graduate assistant at Castleton University in Vermont in 2012, following a four-year collegiate career which included three individual medalist wins and still among the top 10 in scoring average. I was also was a runner-up in my first-ever professional event at the 2023 United States Golf Teachers Cup in Las Vegas, Nevada.

I began my teaching career by taking a more unusual path in public school physical education, which included stops in Fair Haven, Vermont, and Baltimore City, Maryland, for over 12 years. After ending my public school teaching career in 2021, I am now the owner of TGA of Howard County, a franchise in Howard County, Maryland, that provides golf and tennis lessons, classes, summer camps after-school clinics, as well as a junior golf academy at Willow Springs Golf Course. During that first year in business, I became a fully-certified golf instructor with the USGTF in January 2023.

I have been on the golf staff at Willow Spring since the fall of 2022 and now serve as the head golf professional and junior golf development coordinator. One of the highlights of my young career is mentoring and teaching recently-graduated high school student Luke Curlett. Luke was my amateur partner in the 2023 U.S. Cup pro-am division, where we finished third overall. Luke has now also completed his associate teacher certification and works as an assistant to myself, as he works to complete getting fully certified.

My philosophy is to teach the game with a unique style that focuses on connecting with the golfer, just as much as the golfer is connecting with the golf ball, by simplifying the approach, starting the game from the green back to the tee box. I focus heavily on proper grip, stance, and posture. I employ using connections/comparisons from their everyday lives to help them to understand their movements and responsibilities as a golfer, and it only enhances their excitement and joy to play and learn the game.

Over the course of two years, I have provided lessons to over 300 different students and adults aging from 3 years old to 90 years old. TGA has serviced over 20 summer camps, a golf academy that has served over 200 golfers and families, and nearly 500 lessons and afterschool programs to the local community, with the goal and mission to grow the game by teaching student independence in their own training and practice routines. I love the game of golf and want every student to love playing, no matter the level of golfer they are or want to be.

27 Feb 2026 admin

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – ANDERSON TRIPLETS

Middletown, Connecticut, a city of nearly 50,000 between New Haven and Hartford, has just one golf course. Miner Hills is an executive course where many in the central area of the state learn to play golf. The city recognized the need to hold classes to accommodate the population’s desire to learn to play our sport 12 years ago.

These sessions have been met with great enthusiasm and are always filled to capacity. George E Claffey III, USGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional and WGTF Top 50 instructor, has been pro at Miner Hills for the past 20 years and designed and teaches the four-week sessions. All aspects of the game are covered and skills are brought to life as players receive an on-course experience.

This past fall’s class was most unique because a set of triplets had taken advantage of this opportunity. The Andersons are freshmen at three different secondary schools. Nevin is enrolled at Mercy High School for Girls, while Blake goes to Middletown High School and Egan goes to Vinal Technical High School. All have aspirations of playing varsity golf for their respective schools. Although the triplets are alike in many ways, they have different goals for their individual games.

Together, the Andersons had their introduction to the links with The First Tee Connecticut at TPC River Highlands, home of the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship. They agree that this program instilled their enthusiasm for golf that has remained to this day.

They differ on their greatest playing challenges. Nevin believes that putting is very difficult and is crucial in competition. Egan thinks that pitching is hard to master and Blake desires to hit more consistent drives. They all know that the key to overcoming these shortcomings is hard work and practice. As for their aspirations, Nevin would like to make her high school varsity team as a freshman; Egan would like to shoot par, and Blake wants to be a two-sport varsity athlete as he also runs cross country.

Coach Claffey is most impressed with these individuals’ focus and determination. He admires their improvement in such a short period of time. Said Claffey, “The Anderson triplets are wonderful young adults who grasp our concepts easily. Teaching triplets has been a great experience while observing their similarities and recognizing their differences.”

27 Feb 2026 admin

USGTF INDUSTRY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT – Callaway

Callaway Golf was the first industry partner to sign on with the USGTF when founder Ely Callaway recognized the USGTF’s value to the golf industry. As a leader in driver technology, Callaway has done it again with their Quantum Max driver for 2026.

According to Callaway, “For the first time ever, our Tri-Force Face features ultra-thin, high-strength Titanium, reinforced with Poly Mesh™ and Carbon. There are five models in the lineup: Quantum Max, Quantum D, Quantum Triple Diamond, Quantum Triple Diamond Max and Quantum Max Fast, and every golfer will be able to find the perfect driver with such offerings. The Quantum Max is the standard offering, while the Triple Diamond lineup is designed for better players who seek workability. And unlike other companies that offer only one low-spin option, the Quantum Triple Diamond Max also offers extra forgiveness, unique to the industry. The Quantum Max Fast is for slower swingers seeking more distance, and the Quantum D is for golfers who struggle with a slice.”

USGTF members are eligible for personal use discounts through Callaway Golf’s VIP program. For more information, please contact the National Office at (772) 88-USGTF.