Teaching “PRO” File – Matt Smith
To longtime USGTF teaching professional Matt Smith, there is no problem that cannot be overcome. Smith is one of the most accomplished teachers and players in USGTF history. He is well known for his prowess in these areas, but he has also drawn the admiration of everyone who knows him for overcoming stuttering.
” I have the passion that helps me to feel like every student is family. I have overcome a stuttering problem, and feel like I can motivate my students to overcome any issue,” said Smith. However, that does not define him. What does define him is the excellence he continually brings to any endeavor he attempts.
The owner of the Matt Smith Golf Academy in Pataskala, Ohio, Smith averages 55 lessons per week, has 150 kids ages 8-18 in his golf academy, and sends anywhere from three to 10 kids a year to play college golf. He is also a WGTF Top 100 Teacher and the first winner of the Harvey Penick Trophy for Excellence in Golf Teaching. He is a voracious reader and mentions he tries to get better as a player and a teacher every year.
“I feel at 45 years old I am a well-rounded player and teacher,” Smith remarked. “This allows me to work on every aspect of a golfer’s game. I do playing lessons and short game in season. I have all the latest technology to use indoors in the winter time. I am blessed that being a part of the USGTF helps me to achieve my teaching and playing goals every year.”
Smith has an Instagram account that can be accessed at Mattsmithgolfacademy2021. If you haven’t experienced the pleasure of meeting Smith in person, this is a great way of keeping up with him. And he’s sure to continue to make a splash in both the teaching and playing worlds.
He became the youngest winner on the PGA Tour in 82 years when he won the John Deere Classic in 2013, and quickly captured three major titles the next four years. Sustained stardom seemed certain for Jordan Spieth, but after winning The Open in 2017, he entered a slump that only now is he seeing signs that it may be behind him.
Rafael Conde has been the president of the Mexican Golf Teachers Federation (MGTF) since its inception. Like many WGTF members, he came to golf from another career.
Prior to founding the MGTF, Conde served as a chemical engineer for companies such as Kimberley Clark and Frito Lay. He earned his Master Golf Teaching Professional certification in 1999 and at that point really got into teaching the game.
“Since then, I have been active as a golf teacher in Mexico, having the opportunity to certify many golf teaching professionals from all over the country,” said Conde. “Additionally, I am providing certification for caddies in many private golf clubs. Also, I hold a certification for consulting in agronomical treatment of golf course grass. This practice have offered me the opportunity to get in touch with golf club managers, greenskeepers and all personnel involved in the maintenance of golf courses.”
The MGTF has thrived under Conde’s leadership. The organization has made many inroads in the Mexican golf scene, and Conde plans to engage golf professionals who are not MGTF members to consider the benefits of certification. Conde notes that the upcoming year will provide a special challenge. “2021 is going to represent a special challenge due to COVID-19, but our efforts are going to be focused to promote certifications at all levels.”
For the past 10 years, we have featured a tour player each month in our USGTF e-newsletters. The USGTF has grown tremendously over these years and has developed many great teaching professionals in our ranks. For this reason, we will now be featuring one accomplished teaching professional in each monthly e-newsletter, as well. We started this in the February e-newsletter with USGTF member Michael Wolf. Now, it’s your turn. There are many of you who have incredible stories to tell, and if you’re wondering if we’re talking to you, the answer is yes! No matter what you have accomplished, rest assured others will find it of great interest. If you would like to tell the world about your experiences in being a USGTF member and a teaching professional – and why not? – in an upcoming newsletter, please contact the USGTF National Office at 
Are you looking to see if someone is a USGTF member in good standing? Now you can, online. On the homepage at USGTF.com, a Member Search feature has been added. When a member’s full name, as registered with the USGTF, is typed in, that member’s level of certification, member ID number, email address, hometown, and any pertinent notes about that member appear. Prospective employers and students now have a way to verify a person’s membership status through this feature. USGTF members in good standing are welcome to type their name in to verify that all information is correct.
In 2003, the Australian Golf Teachers Federation made its appearance at the World Golf Teachers Cup, making a splash among member nations. In 2006, USGTF examiners traveled from the United States to Brisbane to conduct the first Master Golf Teaching Professional certification course in that country. After the retirement of AGTF president Gerry Cooney, the AGTF slowly began dissolving to the point that operations became dormant. However, talks with USGTF member Grant Garrison, who now lives in Australia, have commenced in regards to bringing the AGTF back to life. Garrison is also a PGA of America member who is a strong supporter of the USGTF and wants to revive the AGTF to head up future growth and development of the game in that country. Garrison is an accomplished teacher and experienced in the business of golf, and we look forward to a collaboration that benefits both Australian golf and the WGTF. 
Golf has its share of inspirational stories, where players have faced hardship and seemingly impossible odds, only to come back and defy those odds. One such person is PGA Tour player Kevin Na, winner of the recent Sony Open.
Na entered the final round two shots back of third-round leader Brendan Steele. A bogey on #12 damaged his chances, but he then ripped off consecutive birdies the next three holes to forge into the lead, which he never relinquished.
After taking 369 starts to capture his first win, Na now has four victories in his last 55 starts. But during the 2012 Players, Na faced some inner demons on national television. He frequently backed off shots and took forever to pull the trigger. A final-round 76 left him shy of winner Matt Kuchar and a national golf audience wondering just what the heck was going on with Na.
He persevered, gaining an inner resolve and a belief in his game that has led to his current success. Na exemplifies the old sayings of “one step back, two steps forward,” and “it’s not what happens to you; it’s how you respond.” He easily could have quit, but chose the more difficult path. And so far, so good.