5 Dec 2018

GOLF TEACHING PRO Coming in December

The Winter 2019 edition of Golf Teaching Pro magazine will be mailed in December. The year 2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of the United States Golf Teachers Federation, and an article highlights the changes the industry has seen since 1989. There are also other articles pertinent to golf teaching professionals worldwide. Look for it in your mailbox soon.

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5 Dec 2018

Entries Now Accepted for 2019 U.S. Pro Hickory

The annual USGTF-sponsored United States Professional Hickory Championship at historic Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club in Tampa, Florida, will take place on Monday, February 25, 2019. The championship is open to male and female golf professionals and hosted by Mike Stevens, USGTF Southeast Region director. This tournament is a testament to the history and heritage of our game as it was first played with hickory-shafted golf clubs. It honors the memory of John Shippen, America’s first golf professional, and the 1925 Florida Open, in which all the prominent pros of the day played. Information and entry forms can be obtained at www.usprohickory.com, or contact Stevens at ams1127@msn.com. Clubs are provided for participants by the tournament committee, if needed.

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5 Dec 2018

“PRO” File – Touring Professional Ruixin Liu

The first thing you might ask is, “Who is Ruixin Liu?” That would be understandable. Liu finished #1 on the LPGA’s Symetra Tour in 2018 and earned her card to the big tour for 2019. Grinding away in a developmental tour in women’s golf is not the best way to achieve immediate fame and fortune, but it’s a necessary step for those wishing to play at the top of the sport. Liu is from China but moved with her family to the United States in 2012 when she was 14 years old. She started playing in China when she was six and immediately became infatuated with the game. The move to Orlando in the U.S. furthered her career, and she is coached by Lake Nona Country Club director of golf Gregor Jamieson, who is a frequent competitor in the USGTF-sponsored United States Professional Hickory Championship held each February. Liu isn’t just about golf, however, as she does equestrian whenever she gets a chance. She loves animals, especially horses and dogs. Undoubtedly, she also loves birds – as in birdies – as well.
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5 Dec 2018

Editorial – They Called it “The Match”

Tiger vs Phil. The hype was all there. As if it was the run-up to a heavyweight fight. Now, I’m not opposed to such events; challenge matches in golf go all the way back to Allan Robertson and Old Tom Morris. Remember Sergio against Tiger several years back? This one seemed a bit contrived, however. There were several putts conceded that might just have been done to keep the match going as long as possible. I have no doubt that both tried their best, but the play was less than stellar, and it did not seem to have much of a grudge factor; more like two good buddies out for a stroll at someone else’s expense. If anything, it did put golf on the front pages at a time when most people have put their clubs into winter hibernation.

As far as “The Match,” however, this one pales in comparison to one that took place at Cypress Point in 1954 between amateurs Ken Venturi and Harvey Ward against pros Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan. The event is described in the New York Times bestseller by Mark Frost titled, ironically, The Match. This was great golf. The group recorded 28 birdies over the eighteen holes and ended with Hogan and Nelson winning 1-up after Hogan rolled in a 10-foot putt to top Venturi’s 12-footer just before. Interestingly enough, the match was set up by none other than Eddie Lowery, who caddied for Francis Ouimet in the 1913 U.S. Open at Brookline.

I would not mind seeing more such competitions among today’s elite. To me, match play is intriguing. Just look at how popular the Ryder Cup has become. Maybe it’s time to bring back Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf.

By: Mike Stevens, USGTF Member and contributing writer

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3 Nov 2018

2019 Set For February in Costa Rica; Entry Info

La Iguana Golf Club in Herradura, Costa Rica – approximately 90 minutes by car from Costa Rica’s main airport in San Jose – is hosting the 14th biennial World Golf Teachers Cup February 13-15, 2019. This is the first World Cup to be played outside the United States since 2013. The 2nd biennial World Senior Golf Teachers Cup will also be contested.

The entry fee is $475 and includes four days of golf (practice round included) and range balls, prize money, and a closing banquet and awards ceremony. The Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort (www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sjols-los-suenos-marriott-ocean-and-golf-resort) is the host hotel, but there are other quality options in the nearby town of Jaco that are also available at a lesser rate:

Oceano Boutique Hotel & Gallery: www.OceanoJaco.com

Hotel Mar de Luz: www.MarDeLuz.com

Hotel Pochote Grande: www.HotelPochoteGrande.com

Los Ranchos Hotel: www.losranchosjaco.com

Best Western Jaco Beach: www.BestWesternJacoBeach.com

For those flying into San Jose, rental cars are also available for the trip to La Iguana and the Jaco area for prices comparable to those in the U.S. If you’ve never been to Costa Rica, now is the time! Meet your fellow WGTF members from around the world and have a great time exploring the paradise that is Costa Rica.

This four-day event features a the two-day World Golf Teachers Cup and World Senior Golf Teachers Cup individual championships that begin on Wednesday, February 13 (Tuesday, February 12 is set aside for a practice round with a optional skins game). The final day of the individual championships on Thursday, February 14, will also feature concurrent team qualifying for match play on Friday, February 15, which will determine the team winner. Every effort will be made to place everyone on a team, but for those whom a team spot is not possible, a separate event will be held that day so no one is left out. For more information and to enter, please visit www.WorldGolfTeachersCup.com.
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3 Nov 2018

Ontario Repeats as Kelly Cup Champions

Team Ontario handily won the 15th annual Thomas Kelly Cup 19-11 after taking a one-point lead the first day. The matches were played on extremely wet Canadian soil in early September at The Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor, Ontario. Ontario was captained by Cesare Cisti and George Harris. Other team members were Paul Kelly, Paul Duncan, George Harris, Vito Cisternino, Ben Butler, David Delville, Grant Gulych, Wayne McGrath and Michael Hunter. Michigan was captained by Jack Deming. Other team members were Jack Black, Joel Michaels, Jim Peters, Chris Boka, Brent Davies, Jim Helmke, Charles Henry and Mike Terrill.

The Kelly Cup matches have been played in honor of former tour member Thomas Kelly, who died suddenly on the golf course “with the fellas” in 2003. Thomas was very active in teaching golf to underprivileged kids in metro Detroit and was a very proud of his USGTF membership. The 2019 Kelly Cup matches will return to Michigan. Pheasant Run Golf Club in Canton will host the matches on Sunday, September 15 and Monday, September 16. Jeremie Lopez will captain the U.S. side while Sisti will captain the Ontario side. The 2019 Kelly Cup matches will return to Michigan. Pheasant Run Golf Club in Canton will host the matches on Sunday, September 15 and Monday, September 16. Jeremie Lopez will captain the U.S. side while Sisti will captain the Ontario side. For more information about joining the Michigan/Ontario Golf Teachers Tour, go to www.mogtt.com or contact tour directors Grant Gulych (Ontario) at grant@ggolfs.com, or Brett McBride (Michigan) at b_mcbride_2418@yahoo.com.
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3 Nov 2018

USGTF & WGTF/Great Britain Members at World Golf Hickory Open

Members of the U.S and Great Britain Golf Teachers Federations were participants in the 2018 World Hickory Open Championship in East Lothian, Scotland, this past October. USGTF Southeast Region director Mike Stevens, and England’s Jason Dolman and John Tinsley teed it up at Longniddry, Gullane #3 and Luffness New golf courses. Dolman won the amateur handicap division while Stevens finished third in the Honors division. Tinsley, a relatively new hickory enthusiast, scored two fine rounds of 82, not bad for his first effort. Stevens also led Team Florida to a third place finish in the Archie Baird International Championship at Kilspindie Golf Club to cap off a successful week.
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3 Nov 2018

“PRO” File – Touring Professional Dylan Meyer

He hardly looks the modern profile of a professional golfer, but Dylan Meyer has serious game. The recent University of Illinois graduate, coached by USGTF Master Teaching Professional Michael Wolf, has a promising future. Although he is one of the shortest hitters in professional golf, Meyer finds ways to score besides hitting 300-yard drives. He recently scored his first top-10 finish on the PGA Tour at the Sanderson Farms Championship. Meyer is not the biggest guy out there, and his glasses remind some of Tom Kite. But he knows how to work his way around a golf course and to put up low scores. Meyer also battles ulcerative colitis, a disease that has also afflicted fellow touring professional Heath Slocum. At first, Meyer was down about the diagnosis, but he then likened it to golf and bouncing back after bogeying a hole. Those closest to him are confident his mindset will allow him to overcome any future health issues that may arise. To date, Meyer’s biggest victory came in the 2016 Western Amateur, perhaps the post prestigious amateur title in all of golf next to the U.S. Amateur. If he keeps on track, he’s sure to capture bigger victories in the coming years.
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3 Nov 2018

USGTF Announces Prescription Discount Card

The USGTF is excited to offer all members the new USGTF Prescription Discount Card – FREE!

Simply print your card and start putting money back in your pocket where it belongs.

Your USGTF Prescription Discount card will be accepted at ALL MAJOR CHAINS! Simply present the card along with your prescription and SAVE! While it is not insurance, our program provides up to 75% off the retail prices on everyday drugs and is accepted at all major chains and independent pharmacies nationwide.

Visit the USGTF Industry Partners page to learn more about the USGTF Prescription Discount Card program and print your card today!
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3 Nov 2018

Editorial – The FedEx Cup Still Has No Identity

Tiger Woods’ victory at the Tour Championship earlier this year was the biggest story to come out of that tournament, while, ho-hum, Justin Rose actually captured the FedEx Cup. Winning the FedEx Cup is supposed to be a reward for season-long excellence, or so the Tour says.

But what, exactly, is the FedEx Cup supposed to designate? The Player of the Year? No, that would be Brooks Koepka, who won two majors. Best player in the playoffs? Again no, as that would be Bryson DeChambeau, winner of two playoff events. Winner of the Tour Championship, akin to winning the Super Bowl? Of course, that was Woods.

The FedEx Cup still makes no sense as to what it’s supposed to be all about. And next year’s “fix,” where the Tour Championship becomes a net event, is nothing short of ridiculous. The leading points-getter coming into the Tour Championship will start at -10, second place starts at -8, and others start with other under-par scores until those ranked 16-30 start at even par. Including the four tournament rounds, the winner will be both the winner of the event and the FedEx Cup. Yes, the winner of this net event will be the winner of an official PGA Tour event, even if he doesn’t shoot the best score over four days.

My solution is simple: Start with 75 players in the first playoff event, take the top 50 and ties to the second playoff event, and from there take the top 25 and ties to the Tour Championship, where the outright winner is both the Tour Champion and the FedEx Cup Champion. While this is not a perfect solution, at least it mirrors other sports playoffs more closely and is simple to understand. And more importantly, the golfer who shoots the lowest score would actually be the winner.

By: Mark Harman, WGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional
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