Tour “PRO” File – Jordan Spieth
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.
Spieth first captured the attention of the golf world in 2013 when, as a 16-year-old, he contended in the Byron Nelson Championship in his hometown of Dallas, Texas. He played at the University of Texas for one year before turning pro. Interestingly, he failed to get through the second stage of Q-School and had no status coming into 2013. Relying on sponsor’s exemptions, he played in several events until his breakthrough victory.
It has been speculated that Spieth and his teacher, Cameron McCormick, started a program to seek more distance, which led to Spieth’s prolonged slump. At the end of 2020, Spieth sought out the counsel of noted teacher Butch Harmon, and the meeting has paid dividends as Spieth scored two top-10 finishes in February. There’s an old saying, “Talent never leaves you.” Spieth is still young and undoubtedly will return to prominence soon.
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.
If there is one golfer who epitomizes the word “cool,” it could only be Fred Couples. With a swing as easy and relaxed as his personality, Couples has become somewhat of a cult figure in the world of golf.
After starring at the University of Houston, Couples made his way onto the PGA Tour and won his first event in 1983 in a five-man playoff. He went on to win 14 more times, including the 1992 Masters. On the 12th hole during the final round, Couples hit his tee shot short of the green and the ball started rolling down the bank towards the water. Somehow, the ball came to a stop – something it never does. It was later revealed that the person assigned to mow the bank that morning neglected to do so. His good friend, CBS anchorman Jim Nantz (with whom he roomed at Houston), conducted the emotional post-round interview in the Butler Cabin.
Couples is also unfortunately known for having a balky back, which has resulted in him missing numerous tournaments. When it cooperates, he is still able to compete with the best of them, as his 13 wins on PGA Tour Champions attests.