1 Aug 2017

Member Profile – Jim Kearney

Thanks to a celebrity’s interest in him, Jim Kearney of Carson, California, began a lifetime journey in the game of golf in 1955 that continues to this day. The celebrity was James Garner, for whom Kearney caddied back then. While on the course, Garner would show Kearney the basics of the grip, stance and swing, and allow Kearney to take a few swings when no one was around. Kearney was able to gain a measure of proficiency at the game, which eventually led him to teaching.

But prior to that, Kearney served in the military and today is a retired military and aerospace division specialist. During that time, Kearney is credited with inventing a device that saved the armed forces collectively over $1 million per year.

Kearney had been a golf pro for 20 years, but didn’t have any credentials. That led him to the USGTF, saying he “wanted to be a better teacher.” He currently teaches advanced students with the Tiger Woods Foundation, focusing on scoring and how to win. In addition, he has received a number of accolades, including Teacher of the Year in Carson, receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from Seniors on the Move and Care Match America, and won a public safety award in 2008 through his volunteer work with the sheriff’s Community Relations Office.

When he teaches adults, he wants them to forget what they know and completely start over with the basics of the game. At the age of 84, Kearney remains incredibly active each day, contributing to the game of golf and his community.
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1 Aug 2017

“Pro” File – Touring Professional Robert Wrenn

Music has its one-hit wonders, such as Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Kajagoogoo and Vanilla Ice. Golf, too, has its share, but unlike the music of the one-hit wonders – which lives on due to the popularity of the songs – golf’s one-hit wonders tend to get lost to the annals of time, forgotten by all but the most diehard of golf fans.

One of the more remarkable one-hits wonders in golf is Robert Wrenn, who captured the 1987 Buick Open with a four-round total of 26 under par, destroying the field and beating runner-up Dan Pohl by seven shots. It’s a mystery how a player is able to conjure up such a dominating victory and yet could never find the winner’s circle ever again, but such is golf.

Wrenn played the tour for 11 full seasons, managing just 15 top-10 finishes in his career. He missed the cut over 44 percent of the time and otherwise had an unremarkable career, save for staying on tour for 11 years and one spectacular victory. After retiring from tournament golf, Wrenn spent time broadcasting golf, served as a partner in an investment advisory firm, and worked with The First Tee, which he continues to do today. Wrenn is 57 and lives in Richmond, Virginia.
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1 Aug 2017

Editorial: Why Chastise the Person Who Didn’t Break the Rule?

Yes, it was an unfortunate incident at the U.S. Junior Girls Golf Championship. Elizabeth Moon missed a short putt that would have won the match and proceeded to rake the ball back before her opponent Erica Shepherd had a chance to concede the tap-in. Not legal. Loss of hole and the match.

Tough luck, but you don’t just assume a putt is going to be given. In all the years I have been playing, when in match play I missed a putt, even if by half an inch, I always looked to my opponent to hear him say good before I proceeded on. That is the rule. You never assume anything.

A lot of people are criticizing Shepherd. She did nothing wrong. In a situation like that, sometimes you are so shocked by the outcome that you are temporarily stunned and don’t react as quickly. I’m sure Shepherd thought Moon would make the short putt and was probably accepting her fate when “Bang, wow, I can’t believe it.” Critics think she should have immediately said good and moved on. But it is not always that simple. I was in a similar situation once and lipped out a putt to win a match. My opponent was surprised I missed and just kind of looked at me in shock. I addressed the ball to finish the hole when he said good.

See, you must be aware of the situation and not allow a sudden mishap to affect your thinking. Moon made the mistake. No one should put it on Shepherd.

By Mike Stevens, USGTF Member, Tampa, FL
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1 Jul 2017

Pierson Takes NE Tourney Title

Andrew Pierson from Camden, NJ, claimed the USGTF Northeast Region championship played June 9 at Mercer Oaks East Golf Course in West Windsor, New Jersey, firing a 77 to edge runner-up Taiki Miyazaki of Hicksville, NY, by two strokes. In division action, Kelly Platt took home the women’s title with a 90; Doug MacMillan fired an 80 to take the 50-59 title over runner-up Alan Brown; Peter Palmisano shot an 87 to win the 60-69 division over Bruce Barnett, and John Ray edged Preston Browning in a playoff after both shot 87 in the 70+ division.

Bob Corbo serves as the Northeast Region director. He can be reached at bcgolfcoach@gmail.com.
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1 Jul 2017

SE Tourney on Tap for this Month; Central to Follow

The USGTF Southeast Region Championship will be held July 29-30 at GlenLakes Country Club in Weeki Wachee, Florida, approximately 45 miles north of Clearwater. The entry fee of $175 includes two days of golf, range balls and prize money. Dinner at an area restaurant will be held after the first round on Saturday. The recommended hotel is the Quality Inn Weeki Wachee, which is approximately 10 minutes away from the golf course. For more information, please contact region director Mike Stevens at ams1127@msn.com. Entries are being handled by the USGTF National Office at (888) 346-3290 (a 3% service charge will be added for credit card entries by phone).

The Central Region Championship will be conducted in conjunction with another great event (Brent Davies, Director) – The USGTF Central Region Championship will be held Sunday and Monday, August 6-7, 2017, at Lake Forest Golf Club in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The event will also be held as part of a weekend of golf which includes the Michigan/Ontario Golf Teachers Tour event on Saturday. For complete information, please click here.
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1 Jul 2017

Avis, Budget Offering World Cup Deals

USGTF industry partners Avis and Budget rental car companies are offering special rates out of McCarron International Airport in Las Vegas for the upcoming United States and World Golf Teachers Cups, to be played October 16-19. Both Avis and Budget are offering exclusive group rates for the tournaments. These rates not only offer discounts on rentals, but also offers greater discounts on SUVs and luxury cars. The discount codes are: Budget – BCD# D815198 and Avis T525898. The rates are good for seven days prior to and seven days after the tournaments only. Reservations may also be made by clicking on the company logos found on www.WorldGolfTeachersCup.com.
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1 Jul 2017

USGTF Launches Re-Designed Site

The USGTF’s website at www.USGTF.com has been re-designed, taking on a more contemporary look to better reflect current trends in web design. In addition to a sleeker look, the site offers the USGTF National Office staff the power to make timely changes more quickly. If you know someone who is interested in becoming a USGTF member, please direct them to the site, and if they have any questions, they may call the National Office at (888) 346-3290.

In addition to the main organization site, the USGTF has a site devoted exclusively to its members at www.USGTFMembers.com. The site is divided into two sections, one public and one private. To use the private section, members need to register and then have their registration validated by the USGTF Membership Services department. If you haven’t joined, please visit today to make your registration, which is free, official.
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1 Jul 2017

Summer Edition of Magazine Now Out

The Summer 2017 edition of Golf Teaching Pro® magazine has been mailed out. If you have not received your copy, please contact the USGTF National Office at (888) 346-3290.

Also, we welcome member submissions to the publication. Teaching or playing tips, drills, articles and member profiles are always a wonderful addition to each issue. The deadline to submit material is September 15, and may be done so by emailing Membership Services at info@usgtf.com.
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1 Jul 2017

“PRO” File – Touring Professional Brian Harman

It may only seem like it, but golf professionals with the last name of “Harman” tend to be a little on the, shall we say, vertically-challenged spectrum of height. Reigning United States Golf Teachers Cup champion Mark Harman stands just 5′ 7″, as does a tour golfer with the same last name who is making his mark on the professional scene, Brian Harman.

The latter Harman gained notoriety for taking the 54-hole lead into the final round of the 2017 U.S. Open, only to be overtaken by Brooks Koepka’s sterling 66 (see “PRO” File – Touring Professional Brooks Koepka). Earlier this year, Harman won the Wells Fargo Championship when his 28-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole found the bottom of the cup to edge no less than world number one Dustin Johnson.

As a junior player, Harman himself was ranked number one, winning the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, and went on to play at the University of Georgia. Harman did not get his tour card right away, instead toiling on the mini-tours for several years before making it to the main stage. He recorded his first victory at the John Deere Classic in 2014, but that victory did not propel him to greater heights. Heading into the 2016-17 season, he re-dedicated himself, resulting in improved play and a near-miss in a major championship.

Harman lives in Sea Island, Georgia, with his wife Kelly and their daughter Cooper.
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1 Jul 2017

Go Slow Like Brooks Koepka

What can we learn from the new U.S. Open champion, Brooks Koepka? Here is one important lesson: Go slow when you are under pressure.

If you watched Brooks during the final round of the U.S. Open, he never walked fast. In fact, the TV commentators on a few occasions commented that he was walking slower than usual. How did this help Koepka win the Open? And how can it help you play better under pressure?

We tend to get anxious in competition. When we are anxious, we typically do everything a little faster. We walk faster, talk faster and even think faster. This nervousness also increases the speed of our swing rhythm. This increased speed in our actions is in response to a release of hormones from our brain. When we are anxious, our mind releases such hormones as epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones act as a stimulant and increase our blood flow, heart rate and countless other changes throughout our body. Walking slower counterbalances this increase in speed so that your game will not be thrown off.

But this principle is not only about golf, but about every sport. When you are nervous, your speed in your game will increase, and as a result, your rhythm and timing will be thrown off.

Copy Brooks Koepka and go slow. You may be slowing down, but you are actually speeding up your success.

By Dr. Gregg Steinberg, USGTF Sports’ Psychologist

(Articles like this can be found in www.TheMentalGameAcademy.com. The Mental Game Academy was created by Dr. Gregg Steinberg, whom Golf Digest ranked as one of the world’s greatest sport psychologists. He has worked with many PGA Tour players, including Brandt Snedeker, Brian Gay and Chris Couch, as well as Vanderbilt men’s golf and the University of Florida’s men’s golf team. Please go to the website for your free mental game e-book, as well as some free videos and articles. The Mental Game Academy is running a special for its online course at half price, $199. To get this special deal, use the promo code iggy199.)
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