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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1 Oct 2023

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – MARK YU

By Kevin Moon, USGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional  

I am excited to share, with great pleasure and immense pride, the exceptional accomplishments of one of my outstanding golf students, Mark Yu. At just 11 years old, Mark has demonstrated remarkable dedication, talent and an unwavering passion for the sport of golf.  

Mark’s journey in the golfing world has been filled with numerous milestones and triumphs. Notably, he recently emerged victorious in the Drive Chip and Putt local tournament, showcasing his exceptional skills in all aspects of the game. His precision, technique and unwavering composure throughout the competition were truly awe-inspiring.  

Furthermore, Mark’s commitment to excellence was evident in his remarkable performance in the Washington Junior Golf Association sub-district tournaments. Not only did he secure victory in three separate qualifiers, but he did so with a level of skill and sportsmanship that sets him apart as a true role model for his peers. Mark’s ability to maintain focus and deliver exceptional shots under pressure is a testament to his unwavering dedication to the game.  

Perhaps the pinnacle of Mark’s achievements came in the form of his recent triumph at the WJGA District 6 Championship tournament, helping him to advance to the 2023 state championship. His remarkable display of talent, strategic thinking and mental fortitude allowed him to navigate the challenging course and outshine his competitors. Mark’s victory in this highly competitive event serves as a testament to his incredible work ethic and his ability to rise to the occasion when it truly matters.  

Beyond Mark’s impressive list of accolades, he possesses a remarkable attitude that contributes to his success both on and off the golf course. His commitment to fair play, respect for his fellow competitors and his unwavering determination to continuously improve make him a true embodiment of the values we strive to instill in our athletes.  

As Mark’s coach for the past few years, I have had the privilege of witnessing his growth and development firsthand. His hunger for knowledge, his eagerness to learn from every experience and his willingness to embrace challenges have made working with him an absolute joy. Mark’s ability to set goals, work tirelessly towards achieving them and maintain a positive mindset throughout his journey is truly commendable.
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1 Oct 2023

INDUSTRY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT – COBRA GOLF

Cobra Golf has long been known as an innovator of both style and technology when it comes to golf equipment. Their latest offering, the Aerojet series, is no exception. The line features aesthetically-pleasing drivers, fairway woods and irons. “Faster by design” is the moniker Cobra is using to describe the Aerojet series, with aerodynamic optimization for the driver and fairway woods.

The driver comes in three models: Aerojet, Aerojet LS and Aerojet Max. The Aerojet should fit most players; the Aerojet LS is for better players seeking reduced spin and greater workability, and the Aerojet Max is for players who need maximum forgiveness in a draw-biased driver.

Cobra Golf is an industry partner with the USGTF, and offers a generous personal use 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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1 Oct 2023

EDITORIAL – THE ROLE OF THE TEACHING PROFESSIONAL IN THE AGE OF TECHNOLOGY



When the USGTF began operations in 1989, the common method of teaching was to look at a student’s most obvious visual fault and then try to “correct” it. This also came about with the advent of the portable video cassette camera, where the teacher could pop the tape into a video cassette recorder (VCR). This allowed for instant analysis, frame by frame, of a student’s swing.

Today, much quicker video systems abound, but one tremendous addition has been the game-changing launch monitor. Most teachers now strive for the repeatability of a swing over the look of a swing, even if that swing has what previous generations of teachers would consider “flaws.” Is it possible to rely solely on technology to provide the numbers?

The answer is no. It still takes a teacher with a great understanding of the mechanics of the golf swing and the cause and effect of certain motor patterns to accurately come up with a correct game plan for swing improvement. These launch monitors, which not only tell us exactly what the ball is doing but exactly what the club is doing, are a valuable addition to a teacher’s arsenal. But make no mistake: They do not replace the teacher!

There is also talk of artificial intelligence (AI) being able to take over the role of a teacher. This might involve a student uploading his or her swing and letting the AI give the instruction. While theoretically this is possible, from a practical point of view in the year 2023 it is just not, well, practical. Good teaching often relies on physically placing the student into the correct position or guiding them through the correct motion, and AI can’t do that. There is also the problem of AI offering what could only be described as “formulaic” solutions when a more creative approach is needed. So at this time, while modern technology is great, the role of the human teacher is probably more important than ever to help their students navigate all these modern wonders.  
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1 Sep 2023

U.S. CUP DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING

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The deadline to enter the 2023 United States Golf Teachers Cup, to be held Monday and Tuesday, October 9-10 at the Revere Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada, is Wednesday, September 13.  As in recent years, this tournament will feature a concurrent pro-am (although bringing an amateur partner is not required for participation).  The entry fee of $595 includes two rounds of tournament golf plus range balls, prize money, and an awards luncheon following play.  Play will be contested in three divisions:  Open, Senior and Super Senior, with women competitors placed in the appropriate age division playing from shorter tees.
For more information and to register, please visit http://www.usgtf.com/uscup.
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1 Sep 2023

MASTER COURSE FOR NOVEMBER

Are you interested in taking your teaching skills to the next level?  The next USGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional® certification course will be held Monday-Wednesday, December 11-13, at the USGTF National Office in Fort Pierce, Florida.  In addition to lower playing ability test requirements, candidates must submit a written thesis, do a shotmaking demonstration and pass a written teaching test.  Candidates must have been a fully certified member in good standing for a minimum of 12 months.  To register, please visit http://www.usgtf.com/master-golf-teaching-professional.
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1 Sep 2023

CANADA CUP 2023

By Peter Jaklic   Under an overcast sky with a steady drizzle, the stage was set for the 2023 CGTF Cup at Tyandaga Golf and Country Club in Burlington, Ontario, August 24. Although not long, Tyandaga proved to be quite a challenge, especially in the wet conditions. Our longtime member, Brad Weake, and his entire team at Tyandaga were, once again, incredible hosts.   In the end, there were almost 30 CGTF members competing. This year, more golfers were able to break the 80 mark than last year. Our president, Marc Ray, had the tournament round of his life, shooting a 71 despite a triple bogey on the narrow par-5 17th. Peter Jaklic was runner-up, carding a 76, and new member J.P. Van Rooyen rounded out the top three by overcoming some early nerves to shoot an impressive 77. Mel Hennigar, Alex Chan and Urb Van Bendegem came in at 78. A friendly putting and chipping competition was awaiting all members upon the completion of their rounds. Our CGTF educational lead, Jeff Howe, continued to provide us with teaching tools, training aids and discussion points to help us all learn from one another’s experiences. This sharing of knowledge simply added to the sentiment of camaraderie.   As the afternoon progressed, all of us were honored by a visit from our former president and founder, Bob Bryant. Bob eloquently shared his thoughts about our growing organization and reaffirmed that our present leadership, under Marc Ray, is one of the pivotal reasons to our great success. As a token of appreciation, the CGTF Cup has now been renamed the Bob Bryant Trophy to recognize the growth of the organization over the formative years under Bob’s tenure.
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1 Sep 2023

USGTF REGION TOURNAMENT UPDATE

Central – The USGTF Central Region Championship will be played Sunday and Monday, September 24-25, at Walden Ponds Golf Course in Hamilton, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati.  The entry fee of $250 includes two tournament rounds, range balls, and prize money which includes not only tournament finishes but any side games.  To enter and for more information, please call region director Tony McMullin at (513) 479-6895.
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