USGTF Monthly Newsletter Archives - Page 3 of 144 - United States Golf Teachers Federation

30 Jun 2025 admin

“PRO” FILE – USGTF MEMBER ARI RIEGER

By Ari Rieger

Growing up as a multi-sport athlete in Mill Valley, California, I didn’t take up golf until I was 14 years old, going into high school. Despite the late start, I instantly fell in love with the game and quickly improved. By my junior year, I was named team captain of my high school golf team. I made all-league teams three consecutive years and won the league championship individual title in my senior year.

I continued my competitive playing career at Occidental College, where I was also named team captain as a junior. Through my roles as captain of my high school and college teams, I discovered my passion for coaching. Leading, assisting and encouraging my teammates brought me immense satisfaction. I realized that for me, the true joy of golf is not just in playing but in sharing the love for the game and watching others grow and succeed.

In 2019, I pursued my goal of becoming a golf teaching professional. By 2020, I earned my USGTF certification and began teaching full-time. Additionally, I am a PGA Associate, American Development Model (ADM)-certified, PGA HOPE instructor and certified club fitter. As a coach, I believe in an individualized and holistic approach. I am passionate about helping players of all ages and skill levels achieve their best. My teaching philosophy includes incorporating modern technology, such as video and 3D analysis, with old-school fundamentals, course management and mental game coaching. I enjoy working with everyone from new players to experienced golfers, always striving to help them play better and have more fun.

The greatest reward in coaching for me comes from witnessing the progress and joy of my students. My career is driven by a deep love for the game and a commitment to helping my students find greater enjoyment, confidence, and success.

Currently, I serve as the head golf professional at Willowick Golf Course in Santa Ana, California, and am the director of the all-new Willowick Golf Academy, established in December 2023. Most days I can be found giving a lesson or instructing a class on the driving range and practice green, or on the golf course with my students. If I’m not teaching, you’ll probably find me practicing or out playing golf. When I’m not at the golf course, I enjoy spending time at home by the beach in San Clemente with my wife Jayne, my cat Ollie, and my friends.

NEWS FROM GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND

By Peter Hudson, President, WGTF of GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND

It seems just a short while since I was freezing cold in Orlando at the golf show, but now at last, the good weather is with us here in the U.K. and Ireland, and with it the joy of 18 hours of daylight to play endless rounds of golf.

I recently visited Hampton Court Golf Club overlooking the Palace. Arriving early to avoid the London traffic, the coach was on the range teaching at 5:30 a.m. and was still there when I left at 2:00 p.m. – what an industry to be serving!

The task of the WGTF is clear: Train and certify golfers to incredibly high standards so they can service the current demands. But what do we have to do differently to make sure every lesson is a success, and all our coaches succeed in achieving their goals:

Educate golfers to work on process and good practice.

Educate golfers to become better learners.

Educate golfers on how to maximize their performance on the course through better playing strategies, decision making and state management.

Offer golfers programs that are affordable and encourage long-term growth of their game and our relationship with them.

To achieve the above, our coaches must possess superior communication skills, understand the golf swing, how and what to teach and when, how techniques can be learned instinctively and manage the project from start to a new goal! Finally, they must know how to market themselves to attract a great clientele.

We have successfully secured the presence of Joe Daniels, owner of The Golfing Machine, in November to deliver Levels 1 and 2, and we will invite all WGTF members across Europe to attend. Please note that if any WGTF member from around the world intends to visit the U.K. and Ireland, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me so we can improve your experience. Wishing all members of the WGTF the very best and a delightful summer season. Our email address is info@wgtf.org.uk

HANNAH GREEN

Australia’s Hannah Green is one of those professional golfers who fly under the radar, but at her competitors’ peril. While stars like Lydia Ko and Nelly Korda get most of the press – and rightfully so – Green has proven herself to be not only a solid competitor, but also a major threat every time she tees it up.

She has won six times on the LPGA Tour, with her biggest victory coming at the 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, her first victory, in fact. She has gone on to win five more times and has gotten off to a great start this year, with a 4th place and a 7th place finish to her credit in three tournaments. She also represented Australia in the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, finishing just out of medal contention in fifth place.

Green just turned 28 years old and is now in the prime of her career. The next few years should bring equal, if not greater, success than she’s already had. The strength of her game is hitting greens in regulation, where she finished 13th on that list in 2024. And when her putter heats up, hitting greens and making putts is definitely the formula for low scores.