1 May 2025

USGTF INDUSTRY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT – BRIDGESTONE GOLF

Bridgestone Golf is one of the longest-running USGTF industry partners, and the company’s innovation makes it one of the most important golf ball companies in history. The company holds over 800 patents, an impressive record.

You may recall that when balata golf balls were the only ones played at the professional level, Bridgestone’s Precept Extra Spin became the go-to ball for some of the best players in the world in the 1990s, including Nick Price, who won three majors using the ball. What made the ball unique was its two-piece solid construction, unheard of at the time for a pro to use. And you may also recall the Precept Lady ball craze of the 1990s that ushered in the era of softer-core golf balls that are still extremely popular today.

USGTF members enjoy a personal use discount with Bridgestone, and they may take advantage of the program by contacting the USGTF National Office at (772) 88-USGTF or (772) 595-6490.
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1 May 2025

“PRO” FILE – TOURING PRO RORY MCILROY

They say being president of the United States is one of the most exclusive clubs in the world, with only 45 men having ever been president. This past month, Rory McIlroy joined an even more exclusive club – career Grand Slam winners in golf..
McIlroy became just the sixth man in golf history to capture all four major championships when he outlasted Justin Rose in a one-hole playoff. For 10 playings of the Masters, McIlroy tried to capture the most elusive honor in golf, finally succeeding in 2025 on his 11th try. McIlroy’s reaction on the green immediately after sinking the winning put was pure relief, according to him, though it became joyful in short order.
McIlroy’s first-round scoring average at Augusta National was over 73, and this year looked to repeat a similar script when he double-bogeyed two of the four final holes to shoot a 72. However, a second-round 66 vaulted him back into contention as if to say, “No, this year will be different.” Despite two double-bogeys and two bogeys the final round, McIlroy found a way to win, a testament to his extraordinary ability. And that ability is so extraordinary that his peers deem him the best in the game when he’s on, better than such luminaries as Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele, and even Bryson DeChambeau.
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1 May 2025

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – WILL SAGNELLA

By Warren Beardow

Warren Beardow of Southport, Connecticut, is as accomplished teacher as evidenced by his presence on the WGTF Top 50 Teacher list. He has a golf academy where he has enlisted the help of one of the area’s top high school golfers, Will Sagnella.

“Will is a North Haven High School senior who has been with me for the last two seasons as assistant coach,” said Beardow. “Will is an accomplished high school team golfer who has a strong desire to help bring young kids into golf. I recruited Will to work with me and the response from the kids, their focus and advancement, has shown the value and reward of continual recruitment and training of volunteer assistants. Will quickly learned to develop his own lesson plans.

“Each lesson consists of six to eight kids in an age group with three coaches. The lesson plan is written and discussed in advance to have as much impact on each student as possible. Coaches quickly learn how to individualize the teaching to each student and how each learns. Many of the volunteers I have worked with were high school golfers who have gone on to college. Many have played of college golf teams. In every case the volunteer coaching experience was a valuable part of their college application resumes.”
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1 May 2025

NEW REGION

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:ttp://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 held this coming September. More information will be made available shortly.
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1 May 2025

“PRO” FILE – USGTF MEMBER KEN KIM

Besides being one of the top teachers in the USGTF, Ken Kim from Orlando, Florida, can really play the game. He’s a two-time winner of the Open Division in the United States Golf Teachers Cup, a USGTF Southeast Region champion, and played professionally on the Asian Tour, one of the main world tours.

After his playing career ended in 2004, Kim became a golf instructor and attained USGTF membership. His golf academy is based at Providence Golf Club, one of the best facilities in southwest Orlando. He lists as his greatest accomplishment in 2024 winning the U.S. Cup, but he also coaches high-level players, including Bi Shin, who plays on the Epsom Tour (LPGA equivalent to PGA Korn Ferry Tour).

Kim finds his biggest teaching challenges are communicating in a way that players have a clear understanding of what they need to do and how to accomplish it, and creating tournament pressure situations during practice. With his resume as a player, Kim certainly has the experience and personal knowledge to effectively impart his wisdom to his students in that regard.
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1 May 2025

NEWS FROM SPAIN

  By 2025, 75% of regular golfers in Spain are expected to use some form of smart-golf technology, such as GPS watches and rangefinders, up from 65% today. The market for these devices is growing by 12% annually, driven by popular brands like Garmin and Bushnell. These tools provide instant feedback and help players track their performance. But for young children, this kind of data might not be very useful yet. The real goal should be to get kids moving, playing outside and enjoying the game in a simple, natural way.

So, where do we draw the line? Should we embrace this trend and introduce more interactive technology to kids, or should we protect the traditional side of golf – being outside and playing on the course? While technology like simulators and wearable devices can enhance learning, it’s important not to lose sight of what makes golf special: fresh air, real swings and the joy of playing the game without screens.
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1 May 2025

USGTF CERTIFICATION COURSE UPCOMING SCHEDULE 

There is no better way to break into the field of golf instruction than to gain certification from the USGTF, with many members saying it was the best golf educational experience of their lives. Not only that, but the term Certified Golf Teaching Professional® is a registered federal trademark that only those who have earned the designation from the USGTF are allowed to use.

Upcoming courses will be held in May and June at the following locations and dates:

May 5-8, Princeton Country Club, Princeton, New Jersey May 12-15, Las Vegas Golf Club, Las Vegas, Nevada May 19-22, The Champion Turf Club at St. James, Fort Pierce, Florida June 16-18, **Master Golf Teaching Professional Certification**, Las Vegas Golf Club, Las Vegas, Nevada.
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1 May 2025

LUXOR SIGNED AS HOST HOTEL FOR U.S. CUP



Egypt isn’t the only place where famous pyramids can be found. One is located on the Las Vegas Strip in the form of the Luxor, and it has been named as the host hotel for the 2025 United States Golf Teachers Cup to be played Monday and Tuesday, September 22-23 at Stallion Mountain in Las Vegas.
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31 Mar 2025

– THE IMPACT OF A PARENT’S DEATH ON TOP ATHLETES – TIGER WOODS WITHDRAWS FROM HIS SIGNATURE EVENT AS HE PROCESSES DEATH OF HIS MOTHER –



Tiger Woods recently lost his mother, Kultida, shortly before the start of the Genesis Invitational, for which he serves as the host. He withdrew from the event as he was still processing her death, according to Woods.

You might recall that before the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot, Woods’ father Earl had passed away shortly before that event. Woods’ mind was really never there and he missed the cut. However, he came back strong the next month to win The Open at Royal Liverpool.

Athletes process their parents’ deaths in many ways. Football player Brett Favre lost his father to an unexpected heart attack on a Sunday and had a football game scheduled for Monday night. Not only did he play, he played in spectacular form with his father serving as his inspiration. Favre said, “I wanted to play better than I’ve ever played before.”

The difference in mindset between Woods and Favre has many factors to consider such as faith, personal philosophy, upbringing, etc. One big difference is that Woods plays an individual sport where Favre played a team game, and the latter had many people counting on him, although undoubtedly his teammates would have understood had he not played. In Woods’ case, he said he knew his mother would have wanted him to play the Genesis, but his heart wasn’t in it.

Just like “normal” people, athletes are human with families. How they process their parents’ deaths during their playing season is a matter of personal choice and should be respected by all.
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31 Mar 2025

CALLAWAY

The year was 1993 and Callaway Golf founder Ely Callaway learned of the United States Golf Teachers Federation, became intrigued, and began a partnership with the USGTF that has endured to this date. Callaway is known for being one of the – if not the – most innovative companies in golf, starting with the legendary Warbird driver that jumpstarted the company and changed its reputation forever.

New for 2025 is the Elyte driver series, pioneered and designed with artificial intelligence technology. Every golfer will be able to find a driver that fits their game, with four different models available to match any player’s swing. USGTF members enjoy a generous personal use discount from Callaway through its exclusive VIP program. To register for the program, please contact the USGTF National Office at (772) 88-USGTF or email member_services@usgtf.com.
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