31 Oct 2023

“PRO” FILE – USGTF MEMBER “PRO” FILE – USGTF MEMBER TIM CARNAHAN

Tim Carnahan of Fairfax, Virginia, has been a lifelong golfer who had a 30-year corporate career in finance and employee relocation. In preparation for a second career, Carnahan began to work on his golf game and began taking classes in golf instruction as well as club fitting, club performance and club repair. Eleven years ago, after retiring from his corporate job, Carnahan joined a local golf academy as a club fitter and beginner golf instructor. He now works with players of all skill levels.  

Carnahan currently works at the Burke Lake Golf Academy (BLGA) at the Burke Lake Golf Course in Fairfax. At the BLGA, he teaches group lessons as well as private and semi-private lessons. Additionally, Carnahan does club fittings for two major golf club companies. Earlier in 2023, Carnahan was designated a staff player for Callaway Golf. His teaching philosophy is a formula that has proven over time to produce solid results. First, he emphasizes solid fundamentals of grip, setup, ball position and takeaway. This portion of instruction is supported by video analysis and photos that the student takes home with them. Phase two involves developing the student’s understanding of what goes into making good impact and the resulting ball flight.  

According to Carnahan, “I support this aspect of the lesson with launch monitor and video analysis. My students have responded well to this approach. The final aspect to my teaching method is to hold the students to a high standard. I have found that students really appreciate honest feedback on their performance. Acknowledge a good swing, but point out what could be improved. Students respond well to being told they can do better.”  
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31 Oct 2023

“PRO” FILES – RYDER CUP WINNERS – TEAM EUROPE

Team Europe has done something it hasn’t done since 1997, and that is to win the Ryder Cup on home soil. The Europeans defeated Team USA 16 1/2 – 11 1/2 to recapture Samuel Ryder’s trophy that it lost in 2021 in Wisconsin.

Many pundits thought this would be the year that Team USA would break the road victory drought, but it was not to be. One reason given that seems to hold the most credence is that most of Team USA took five weeks off from playing competitive golf, while members of the European squad kept playing. And as usual, the course was set up to favor the European’s strengths while negating the Americans’.

One myth that was reinforced by the competition is that Team Europe is simply better in the fourball competition (alternate shot) than are the Americans, but Team USA actually dominated Europe in that format the last two Ryder Cups held in the U.S. Also, the Americans excel in that format during the Presidents Cup against the International squad, so it appears competitive rust could well be the main culprit.

The 2025 competition at Bethpage Black in New York promises to be one for the books. Will Team USA continue its own home winning streak? Stay tuned.  
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31 Oct 2023

INDUSTRY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT – BUSHNELL RANGEFINDER

 

Bushnell, maker of the top-selling range finders in golf, have hit a home run with its latest offering, the Pro X3. According to Bushnell, “The best just got even better – Pro X3 is the most feature rich, best performing laser rangefinder on earth. Bushnell Golf brings you its most advanced laser rangefinder yet. Packing all of the market-leading innovations you have come to expect.”  

Bushnell is an industry partner with the USGTF, and offers a generous discount for all members, Please call the USGTF National Office at (772) 88-USGTF for pricing and to place an order
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31 Oct 2023

EDITORIAL – RYDER CUP & PRESIDENTS CUP – THEIR DIFFERENCES AND THEIR STORY


The Presidents Cup competition between Team USA and the International squad (excluding Europe) started in 1994 as a way to get the game’s biggest international stars – most notably Greg Norman and Nick Price – into a team competition. Also, the Ryder Cup had, by this time, morphed from a ho-hum event that had little buzz to a must-see all-out war.

While the Ryder Cup is somewhat fairly evenly matched, Team USA has completely dominated Team International in the Presidents Cup. Various theories have been put forward as to why this is, but the most compelling is that Team International simply lacks the firepower that Team Europe has. Another important aspect is belief, and pro golfers are not immune from this. Simply put, Team Europe expects to win the Ryder Cup in Europe, and Team USA expects to win every time the Presidents Cup is contested.

Thirty years after the first playing of the Presidents Cup, it has nowhere the passion or interest that the Ryder Cup does. Will this ever change? Probably not soon. Team Europe in the Ryder Cup has a camaraderie and connection being from a common continent, while the International squad in the Presidents Cup hails from all over the globe with little in common. However, should Team International win a Presidents Cup or two, interest is sure to rise dramatically.
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1 Oct 2023

WGTF DIGITAL CARD AVAILABLE TO ALL USGTF MEMBERS

 
All USGTF members are proud of their organization, and rightfully so. Since 1989, the USGTF has provided an avenue into the golf teaching industry for those who desire to do so. And since 1993, the USGTF has been part of a global organization, the World Golf Teachers Federation (WGTF). Now, USGTF members have the chance to use their digital WGTF card worldwide. Please click on to https://wgtf.usgtf.com/member-search-2, type in your first or last name, and your digital card will appear.  

This card is an attractive addition to member benefits already offered to all USGTF members. It also serves as recognition that USGTF members are part of the elite worldwide federation of golf teaching professionals. As we are moving at warp speed into an all-digital world, WGTF digital cards serve to become part of this exciting process.
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1 Oct 2023

INTERNATIONAL PGA AVAILABLE TO ALL WGTF MEMBERS

The International PGA was conceived on the notion of welcoming and providing membership for every golf professional, regardless of race, religion or national origin. It offers both PGA and WGTF members the opportunity to belong to a global body of professional golfers. The International PGA promotes career development and acts as one voice for individual professionals from every golfing nation. International PGA members are recognized and respected worldwide by both the public and golf management within the industry.  

Current IPGA members can now pay annual dues of $195 at http://www.InternationalPGA.org/renew. WGTF members wishing to join the organization may visit http://www.InternationalPGA.org/become-a-new-member.  
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1 Oct 2023

REGIONAL UPDATE: McMULLIN TAKES OWN REGION CROWN

The USGTF Central Region Championship concluded with regional director Tony McMullin from Cincinnati, Ohio, winning the title. The tournament was held at Walden Ponds Golf Course in Hamilton, Ohio, this past September. After two days of play, both McMullin and newcomer Matt Stensrud from Kansas City, Kansas, walked off the final regulation hole of the 36-hole event tied with a total of 148. McMullin was declared the winner in a scorecard playoff. The legendary Ron Cox from Nashville, Tennessee, finished a very close third.  

But the real winners in this tournament, or any other tournament that the USGTF puts on, are the instructors that play in them. These are the men and women that take their opportunities to increase the skills of their clients in this great game very seriously and professionally. To say that there are a lot of great golf instructors and professionalism in the ranks of any given golf tournament is just scratching the surface.  

All the USGTF instructors who teach, train, motivate and inspire their clients know that they are the true winners of any given tournament that they decide to play in. Long before they strike their first tee shot, they have positively impacted and influenced their clients and those who look to enjoy this great game more.
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1 Oct 2023

“PRO” FILES – TOURING PROFESSIONAL SAHITH THEEGALA

His name is of international origin, but Sahith Theegala is all American. He was born in Fullerton, California, to parents who emigrated to the United States from India in the 1980s. He was a standout at Pepperdine University, winning all three collegiate player-of-the-year awards (Haskin, Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus), one of only five golfers to do so.  

He turned pro to much acclaim in 2020 and played the Korn Ferry Tour in 2021, earning his PGA Tour card for 2022. He quickly became a fan favorite as he challenged for the title at the WM Phoenix Open before finishing third. He also came close to winning on two other occasions in addition to several high finishes. Finally, this past September, he earned his first victory at the Fortinet Championship in his native California. If you’re looking to bet on who will be America’s next superstar, you can do worse than put your money on Sahith Theegala. Oh, and as to the pronunciation of his name, it is “saw hith thee gala.”
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1 Oct 2023

“PRO” FILE – USGTF MEMBER KEN BUTLER – IN MEMORIAM

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of one of the USGTF’s longtime examiners and Hall of Fame member, Ken Butler, this past September. Ken, originally from Glasgow, Scotland, began working with the USGTF in 1993 and continued on with his role as an examiner for over a decade.

Those who remember Ken will undoubtedly recall his great Scottish sense of humor. He also was a great golfer, having won the individual championship at the 1999 World Golf Teachers Cup, and played professionally in Europe before turning his sights to teaching.

He was not only a great friend to many USGTF employees, but also to many members. He also was a close personal friend of the legendary golfer and two-time major champion Tony Jacklin. Ken was enjoying retirement in Florida and a family vacation in Wisconsin when an unfortunate accident took his life. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him, especially including his wife Kari.  
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1 Oct 2023

NEWS FROM WGTF-GREAT BRITAN

By Peter Hudson We have enjoyed a great season of golf coaching so far with two residential trainings, one in Alicante, Spain, and the second in Oxford, England. The first in April saw our coaches spread over Europe, the Far East and the Middle East. Because of this, it is of paramount importance that the quality of those we certify is very high, to enhance the reputation of all WGTF coaches. It is in this respect only four coaches have qualified so far this year, but with five more close who are working on their own coaching plans to get them over the line.  

In Oxford, we had a government-backed trainee, which again validates the power of the WGTF in that the government paid for his training in full. We had another great coach, Rajesh, who we will hear much about as he has not only exceeded his psychological peak performance training, but is also off to Romania to start work representing the WGTF.  

It is not only about new faces; sometimes, it’s great to meet some of the old ones. We took that opportunity in August to travel to Kilkea Castle near Dublin, Ireland, and meet our Irish members. Some of them had been members for nearly 20 years, and it was great to enjoy the local Guinness and a round of competitive golf on the magical Kilkea course, which the next day was hosting a major Irish professional event. The winner was Peter Redmond. We will certainly return next year.  

I have been very busy since accepting the role as one of V1 Golf’s content suppliers. This was a great honour and is a chance to mention the WGTF to the world of golf every month. We have one more training this year in October in Alicante, and if any WGTF member from elsewhere wants to come and experience our training, please contact me at info@wgtf.org.uk.  
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