1 May 2024

“PRO” FILE – TOURING PROFESSIONAL SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER

It seems now that almost every month we are featuring Scottie Scheffler in the “pro” file section of this newsletter, and for good reason: He is dominating the game in a way that no one else has since Tiger Woods was in his prime.

Scheffler captured his second Masters and just a week later, took home the tartan jacket that the champion earns for winning the RBC Heritage. The latter win gave Scheffler his 10th PGA Tour win, and his winning percentage of 19.6% since his first victory is close to Woods’s all-time win percentage of 22.8%. For context, Jack Nicklaus is at 12.5% and Rory McIlroy at 9.8%

Comparisons can be tricky, but there is no doubt that Scheffler has been dominant the last two years in the same manner of Woods. Even when both did not have their best stuff, they still finished near the top 10 frequently. The main difference is that Woods was more consistently great with his putter, but a switch to a mallet-style head has given Scheffler a boost on the greens. Since Scheffler has not won an event after the month of April in a calendar year, it will be interesting to see if he breaks that streak in 2024.
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1 May 2024

“PRO” FILE – USGTF HALL OF FAME MEMBER PAT CHURCH

By Pat Church  

Little did I know when I started this journey in 2004 with the USGTF that I would enjoy it so much. It all started back in the late ‘1960’s at New Orleans Country Club, Louisiana, where my father was an instructor. I would “go to work” with him as often as I could. My chores would include working in the shop dressing mannequins, filling tee bags, doing inventory, dusting and other things, etc. These chores allowed me to get to the driving range to hit balls or watch my dad and other instructors give lessons. The fuse was lit, and I kept golf in my life since then.

I helped many friends learn the game on a casual basis and totally enjoyed it. When a new course was opened less than a mile from my home, I applied for a position as a course marshal. That led me back to teaching and the USGTF in 2004. After completing the first two certifications, I decided to continue on to the Master Golf Teaching Professional level. What a wonderful decision!

I started teaching full time, specializing in helping women get started in the game and continue to improve. Our course also had a strong junior program, so I also worked with The First Tee program and Nike junior camps. We also had a contract with the University of Oregon to teach their physical education golf classes and had many wonderful college age students. Anybody recognize the name Marcus Mariota? He was a great student!

The most wonderful group I became involved with is The Special Olympics golfers. They are, by far, the highlight of my career. I was the local program coordinator from 2004 until 2019. During this time, I was honored be selected as one of Team USA’s golf coaches that went to Athens, Greece, in 2011, and then again in 2015 in Los Angeles. I was also the Team Oregon coach in 2014 in New Jersey. All of these athletes hold a very “special” place in my heart.

My teaching career has slowed a bit now – by choice. Semi-retirement is setting in for me, but I doubt that I will ever stop helping golfers. I also enjoy playing in the United States Golf Teachers Cup every year, winning the Ladies division twice, but more importantly, seeing all of my buddies and enjoying the new courses we play.

I owe all of this success to the fuse that was lit by my dad, then fanned by the USGTF. I thank the instructors of all the certification courses and the membership in general.
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1 May 2024

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – DANIEL LIU

By Sai Opraseuth  

Daniel Liu is a 13 year old student of mine. He has been taking lessons from me since he was 8 years old. He is an exceptional young man with great dedication to the game.

Daniel has participated in the USKids local tour for the last few years. He has also competed in the last 3 USKids World Championship at Pinehurst.

Daniel’s goal is to be a professional golfer and compete in the PGA. He has displayed the necessary dedication to become a pro as witnessed by his consistently long daily hours in my academy. His commitment is extraordinary.

Daniel has a great personality. He is friendly and enjoys helping others succeed in golf. He has enthusiastically helped me run the Sai Golf Academy summer camps for the last two years.
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1 May 2024

USGTF INDUSTRY PARTNER – LIABILITY INSURANCE UPDATE – INSURANCE CANOPY

Insurance Canopy is offering liability insurance for golf teaching professionals. If you are an independent contractor golf teaching professional, you almost certainly will be required to have liability insurance to ply your trade at a facility. This insurance covers things that may occur during the course of a lesson environment, such as an injury or property damage.

The cost is $12.50 per month or $129 annually. For more information and to receive a quote, please click on https://www.insurancecanopy.com/fitness-instructor/golf-instructor-liability-insurance.
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1 May 2024

EDITORIAL – WHERE DO LIV GOLF AND PGA TOUR STAND NOW?

In June of 2023, the PGA Tour announced it had agreed to negotiations with Saudia Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) to collaborate with each other. For those of you who are unaware, the PIF is the funding arm of the LIV Golf Tour.

The news shocked many in the golf world, with Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee claiming it was one of the darkest days in golf history. For context, Chamblee is an ardent detractor of the LIV Tour due to its association with Saudi Arabia.

However, this past January, the PGA Tour and the Strategic Sports Group (SSG) announced a partnership in which the SSG would provide a private equity investment. According to Golfweek, “The program, which is a joint venture between the PGA Tour and Strategic Sports Group, will reward 200 PGA Tour players with $1.5 billion in equity. The program rewards players based on career achievements, future participation and services and more. The grants are only available to qualified players.” In other words, PGA Tour players will be awarded cash and other types of financial benefits for staying loyal to the PGA Tour and not joining LIV Golf.

Where the situation stands with the PGA Tour and the PIF (and by extension, LIV Golf) remains to be seen. Sources close to the situation say an agreement of some sorts is still planned, but now it’s simply a waiting game. One thing is certain, though: Every PGA Tour player should be grateful that LIV Golf emerged, because had it not, there is no doubt that the money now currently flooding PGA Tour players’ bank accounts would not have occurred.
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1 Apr 2024

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2024 U.S. CUP

Painted Desert Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada, will host the 2024 United States Golf Teachers Cup on Monday and Tuesday, October 7-8. It marks the second consecutive year that the U.S. Cup returns to America’s capital city of fun and excitement. Registration is now open for the U.S. Cup and can be accessed at http://www.usgtf.com/uscup.  

The Luxor on the Las Vegas Strip will once again serve as the recommended host hotel, offering much better prices than 2023 through diligent efforts by Headquarters. Those interested in making early reservations can book at https://book.passkey.com/event/50719407/owner/4939/home  For more information on Painted Desert Golf Club, please visit http://www.painteddesertgc.com.
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1 Apr 2024

MASTER GOLF TEACHING PROFESSIONAL® CERTIFICATION AVAILABLE

Do you want to take your teaching to the next level? USGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional® certification courses will be held May 6-8, 2024, at Legacy Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada, and December 9-11 at the USGTF National Office in Fort Pierce, Florida. Participants will have to successfully pass the playing ability test requirements, which are four strokes lower than what is required for a Certified Golf Teaching Professionals®; successfully complete the online USGTF Certified Professional Golf Coach course by end of the onsite course dates; give a thesis presentation with a Q&A to follow, perform a shotmaking demonstration and pass the written teaching test. This is a great educational opportunity for any Certified Golf Teaching Professional in good standing for a minimum of 12 months. For more information and to register, please visit https://www.usgtf.com/master-golf-teaching-professional.
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1 Apr 2024

NEWS FROM SOUTH AFRICA

The sport’s accessibility and popularity extend beyond the professionals in South Africa, with numerous golf clubs and facilities welcoming enthusiasts of all skill levels. The social aspect of golf is emphasized, and many golf courses are situated in picturesque locations, providing a serene escape for players.

Neil Pearce started the First to Eighteen Junior Golf Academy for kids ages 4 to 12 and is modeled on The First Tee program in the United States, and focuses on responsibility, etiquette, honesty and integrity, sportsmanship, confidence, respect, perseverance, courtesy and judgment.

The USGTF, as the largest international organization of certified golf teaching professionals globally, has extended its reach to South Africa, contributing to the development of golf talent in the region. Through its certification programs and membership opportunities, the USGTF facilitates the training and networking of golf teaching professionals in South Africa, enriching the country’s golfing community and promoting the growth of the sport.
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1 Apr 2024

REGION ROUNDUP

All USGTF members, regardless of membership level or residence, are eligible to play in any region championship. You may also refer to region championship action at https://www.usgtf.com/tournaments-for-golf-teaching-professionals.  

Northeast – The USGTF Northeast Region Championship will be held Thursday, June 20, at Mountain View Golf Course in Ewing, New Jersey. Tee times will begin at 12 noon. The entry fee is $185. For more information and to enter, please contact region director Bob Corbo at simductivegolf@gmail.com.  

Central – The USGTF Central Region Championship will be played in July at Walden Ponds Golf Course in Hamilton, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati. The exact date will be determined soon. The entry fee is $250. For more information, please contact region director Tony McMullin at tmcmullin72@yahoo.com.  

Southwest – The USGTF Southwest Region Championship will be held Friday-Sunday, September 20-22, at Twin Creeks Golf Club in Allen, Texas. The entry fee is $250. For more information and to enter, please contact region director Bruce Sims at bsims@pga.com.
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1 Apr 2024

“PRO” FILE – THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER

While he doesn’t have the record of Tiger Woods – and frankly, likely never will – Scottie Scheffler has, for the past two years, played a lot like him. In fact, it can be fairly stated that his game is the equal of Woods’ in his prime save for one thing, and that is consistent excellency with the putter.

From tee-to-green, Scheffler has no peer on the PGA Tour. He has been number one in strokes-gained: tee-to-green 10 times in the past two years, while the next competitor has done that only three times. He has won eight out of his last 49 PGA Tour starts for a winning percentage of 16.3%. for context, Woods’ career winning percentage is just over 20% and Jack Nicklaus’ hovers around 11%, so Scheffler is indeed in rarified air. He also became the first player to successfully defend his Players Championship title, on the heels of a dominant 5-stroke win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

What’s curious about Scheffler’s game is that, while he was pegged for stardom at an early age and throughout college, few outside observers would have thought he would become so dominant. Putting was never his strong suit, but he has solved that problem, at least for the moment, by switching to a mallet putter. He also has a swing with footwork that is unique, but obviously, the ball has no idea what his feet are doing. At present, his peers are left scratching their heads over how to up their games to compete with golf’s latest dominant player.
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