3 Feb 2020

Harman Wins SE Championship In Orlando

USGTF national course director Mark Harman of Ridgeland, South Carolina, captured a record ninth region title when he won the 2020 USGTF Southeast Region Championship at Rio Pinar Golf Club in Orlando, Florida, January 23-24. Harman fired scores of 71-72 – 143 to best Ron Cox from Nashville, Tennessee by two strokes. Harman began the second round with a two-stroke lead over Cox, building it to a seemingly safe five shots at the turn. But Cox, having other ideas, ripped off three consecutive birdies to open the final nine to pull within two. The pair battled back and forth until Harman’s 60-foot putt from just off the 18th green to one foot sealed the deal.

A record 22 players teed it up, making it the best-attended SE championship yet. Region director Mike Stevens hosted the event and chose the venue, which previously was a PGA Tour stop.

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3 Feb 2020

US Pro Hickory Welcomes All USGTF Pros

The 10th annual U.S. Professional Hickory Golf Championship, hosted by the USGTF, will be played on Monday, February 24 at historic Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club in Tampa, Florida. This tournament has become an important staple of the hickory golf scene.

A purse of $5,000, the same amount the professionals such as Walter Hagan and Gene Sarazen played for on the same course in 1925, is offered. At an entry fee of just $100, the tournament is a great value. Clubs will be provided to competitors who do not have hickory clubs. For more information and to enter, please visit http://www.usprohickory.com. You may also contact Mike Stevens, tournament director, at ams1172@msn.com. If you are anywhere in Florida, or just want to get out of the cold, you do not want to miss this special event!

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usgtf us cup golf teacher certified golf instructor
3 Feb 2020

US Cup Set For Las Vegas At New Venue

Revere Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada, will host the 25th playing of the United States Golf Teachers Cup this coming October. This silver anniversary celebration of the USGTF’s flagship event promises to be very special, with coming surprises. Complete details will be in next month’s e-newsletter.

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3 Feb 2020

USGTF Member Pens Book

USGTF member Bob Mullen has written a new book, titled Golf: Learn from the Legends. Mullen said, “In my newly released book, Golf: Learn from the Legends, I explain the problem is not what’s being taught. It’s that the instructors and students lack knowledge about how adults learn. The adult brain gathers information on a regular basis throughout life, but most of this information is not utilized because it is not relevant at that time to the individual, or it is information that proves untrustworthy.”

USGTF president Geoff Bryant wrote the foreword. For more information: Contact Bob Mullen, golfski43@comcast.net, (970) 846-5410, and at www.BobMullenGolf.com. Golf: Learn from the Legends is available on Amazon Books

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3 Feb 2020

“PRO” File – Touring Professional Perrine Delacour

Most of you probably never heard of Perrine Delacour, but she could be destined for a prominent place in the women’s game. Delacour finished first on the Symetra Tour’s money list, the LPGA Tour’s developmental tour, to earn playing privileges for the 2020 season. Delacour has played on the LPGA Tour before with modest success, but her position atop the Symetra order of merit means she’s someone to look out for in the coming season. Delacour hails from France, and was on the French national team as an amateur. She reached the semi-finals of the Ladies British Amateur in 2012. She turned professional but never was much of a factor on the LPGA Tour in the following years, although she did fire a career-best 62 in 2017. She played well in 2019 in winning twice on the Symetra Tour to earn her card for this season. She’s a long hitter, which in this day and age is a tremendous asset.
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Happy New Year 2020
8 Jan 2020

Happy New Year from the USGTF National Office Staff!

All of us at the USGTF National Office wish each of you a Happy New Year, and sincerely hope that 2020 brings you a clear vision of all things, both professional and personal. Our team works hard to provide you with all the benefits that your USGTF membership entails. If you need to contact any member of our national staff, you can find their contact info at www.usgtf.com/contact. We look forward to serving you and your organization in the coming year!
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usgtf 2020 tournament schedule
8 Jan 2020

Southeast Tourney This Month Kicks Off Regional Action

The USGTF Southeast Region Championship will be held Thursday and Friday, January 23-24, at Rio Pinar Golf Course in Orlando, Florida. The tournament coincides with the PGA Merchandise show, so USGTF members looking to get in some golf and meet their fellow members will find this a perfect opportunity to do so. Tee assignments will be by age and gender.

The entry fee is $195, and entries can be sent to the USGTF National Office at 200 S. Indian River Dr., Suite 206, Fort Pierce, FL 34950. You may also call the office at (888) 346-3290 to enter by phone. Southeast Region director Mike Stevens is the host. If you have any questions, you may contact him at ams1127@msn.com.

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8 Jan 2020

“PRO” File – Touring Professional Shane Bertsch

Shane Bertsch, along with four other players, succeeded at one of the most difficult tasks in professional golf – earning a fully-exempt card on the PGA Tour Champions. Of all the 50-and-over players worldwide, only five earned full privileges for the 2020 season. Bertsch was the medalist, shooting 17-under-par. The final qualifier, Stephen Leaney, shot 12-under, meaning if you shot 11-under, you are relegated to partial status. Bertsch played on and off the PGA Tour for years, highlighting how difficult it is for fringe players to eke out a living in the game. An excellent athlete, he started out as a top junior tennis player, but a 6-0-6-1 loss to Andre Agassi caused him to turn to golf full time. He also has three victories on what is now the Korn Ferry Tour.
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USGTF V Neck Vest
8 Jan 2020

USGTF Pro Shop – Closeout

Men’s USGTF Logoed V-Neck Cotton Vest –

Available in Blue or Olive. – $25.00 (limited stock). To order, please call (888) 346-3290 between 8am-5pm ETD.

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mike_stevens_hickory
8 Jan 2020

Editorial – The Day My Life Changed

I started playing golf in 1959 and became pretty good at it. I won a few junior tournaments and was the medalist in the 1968 Massachusetts Junior Championship. I grew to love the game and everything about it. In college, I played for the school team, but good is not enough for a pro career. Also, the Army and Vietnam had other plans for me. After my honorable discharge, I went to work in the pharmaceutical industry. Golf was still a love and something I still played a reasonably high level.

Twenty years at Big Pharma was becoming a grind. One day in November 1995, I was thumbing through a golf magazine. In the classified section an ad stood out – “Learn to teach golf,” United States Golf Teachers Federation. I registered for a certification course the next month. Turns out it was the best decision I ever made.

So many good things have happened since. Little did I know there would be world travel, three U.S. Cup teams, Top 100 teacher status, Senior championship and election to the Teachers Hall of Fame. The USGTF offered an opportunity and it changed my life. That day was my good fortune and I’ll forever be grateful.

Mike Stevens – USGTF member, Tampa, Florida

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