1 Jun 2024

“PRO” FILE – IN MEMORIAM, BILL BATH

People who knew Canada’s Bill Bath would say that he was one of the most likable people you would ever want to meet, and USGTF and CGTF members can attest to that. Bath, 52, passed away far too young recently after suffering a heart attack.

He joined the USGTF and CGTF over 20 years ago after becoming disenchanted with his job in retail. He loved golf but did not want to be in retail golf when he saw an ad for the USGTF. After a conversation with the USGTF’s Bob Wyatt and then-CGTF president Bob Bryant, Bath got certified in what he called one of the best weeks of his life. He quickly secured two driving ranges to teach at and steadily built a client base over the next three years. He is on record as saying that the people he met made him a better person and teacher.

He then proceeded to become an examiner for the CGTF and represented Team Canada several times in the World Golf Teachers Cup competition. He quickly became a friend to everyone who met him at these events, and left an indelible impression on all who were fortunate to know him. In recent years, he caddied for PGA Tour professional MacKenzie Hughes on occasion, and Bath’s death hit Hughes particularly hard.

The USGTF and CGTF wish to extend our deepest condolences to all of Bill’s friends, students and fellow competitors.
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1 Jun 2024

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – MADDIE HORRIGAN

They say big things sometimes come in small packages, and Maddie Horrigan of Hudson, Ohio, epitomizes that. Not only is she a champion swimmer standing at just 5′ 2″, she also has experienced success at the high school and collegiate level in golf.

She came to USGTF professional Rick Zivsak after playing golf for the first time with her dad, with the goal of making the high school team. There was just one problem: tryouts were in just 40 days. Maddie had to go from a complete beginner to high school athlete in that short period of time. But she succeeded, with Zivsak saying she had one of the greatest work ethics he had ever seen. And being a swimmer, Maddie certainly didn’t mind practicing in the rain, which she did. Maddie wound up making the junior varsity squad and impressively broke 50 later that season.

She went on to swim competitively at Mount Union College in Ohio, but was invited by the golf coach to try out for that squad. She made the team for a unique two-sport accomplishment. Maddie believes that one of her strengths is that she celebrates winning but also embraces failure, which can teach valuable lessons. Diagnosed with epilepsy, Maddie plans on becoming a physician’s assistant because she’s very interested in how the brain works due to her diagnosis. She also wants to work in an underserved community in order to give back. She will be starting graduate school in May in pursuit of her career dream.

As for Zivsak, Maddie has nothing but high praise for him. “No words can describe the impact he has had on me,” she said. “He has the biggest heart and is so positive. Golf has changed my life.”
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1 Jun 2024

USGTF INDUSTRY PARTNER – VOICE CADDIE

The Swing Caddie SC4 is a complete simulator and a portable launch monitor. For use indoors and outdoors, the SC4 delivers professional-grade swing and ball flight metrics. In simulator mode, the SC4 connects with the included MySwingCaddie App, providing a complete virtual display with metrics and stats. To further enhance the simulator experience, the SC4 is fully compatible with E6 Connect / Optishot Orion and its suite of photorealistic courses (optional subscription). In outdoor use, the SC4 can be used as a standalone unit (no smartphone required) with its vivid display featuring carry distance, launch direction, swing speed, ball speed, smash factor, launch angle, apex, and spin rate. For a more advanced experience, the SC4 connects directly to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth, allowing golfers to save their tracked data, record their swings, and produce swing overlays. The remote control, voice output of distance, and rechargeable Lithium Ion battery ensure the highest level of experience and convenience. USGTF members receive a personal use discount, and may be taken by calling Membership Services at (772) 888-7483. Limit two per year.
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1 Jun 2024

EDITORIAL – GOLF ETIQUETTE AND HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS ON THE GOLF COURSE

What types of players are there that others don’t like playing golf with? First and foremost, anyone who behaves poorly is not likely to be the top choice of playing partners for other golfers. This doesn’t just extend to cursing, throwing clubs, etc., but also a golfer mainly talking about himself or herself throughout the round. Showing little interest in other people or subjects is a recipe for boorish behavior, too.

There’s a saying good company is more important than good golf, and that is certainly an accurate statement. It’s also relevant when conducting business on the golf course, because another saying is that you can tell more about a person in 18 holes of golf than you can in days or weeks of being in other settings. Our experience holds this to be true. Rare is the person who acts one way on the course and then another off the course. Does the person play with honor and respect of the rules and etiquette, or do they cheat and ignore basic courtesies? Even honest ignorance of the rules and etiquette is a problem because that person did not take the time to do due diligence in what is required in a golf course setting. And if they’re not prepared there, it’s likely they would not be prepared in a business setting, too.

Some of the strongest friendships and fruitful business partnerships have been forged on the golf course. And how we conduct ourselves and honor the game and our playing companions goes a long way in success or failure in these areas.
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1 May 2024

WGTF TOP 50 TEACHERS NOMINATIONS

Nominations for the WGTF Top 50 Teachers are now being accepted. All teachers who wish to be considered must submit their nominations. In addition, WGTF federation presidents may submit nominations of their members, as well. All WGTF Certified Golf Teaching Professionals and Master Golf Teaching Professionals are eligible to be nominated. Nominations (including self-nominations) may be made through email at info@usgtf.com or through regular mail to the USGTF National Office at 200 S. Indian River Drive, #206, Fort Pierce, FL 34950. The deadline for nominations is Monday, September 9, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. EDT.
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1 May 2024

CERTIFIED AND MASTER GOLF TEACHING PROFESSIONAL® CERTIFICATION COURSES

In the ever more-competitive world of golf instruction, having certification is vital to having a pathway to success.  USGTF certification courses give golf teachers more than a leg up on the competition; they serve as notice that a USGTF professional is trained and competent.

Certified Golf Teaching Professional courses are upcoming May 6-9 in Princeton, New Jersey; May 20-23 in Atlanta, Georgia, and June 10-13 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  A Master Golf Teaching Professional course, for those who have been a Certified Golf Teaching Professional for a minimum of 12 months, will be held Dec. 9-11 in Fort Pierce, FL.  For more information and to register, please visit http://www.usgtf.com and click on the Course Registration tab.
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1 May 2024

NEWS FROM SPAIN

By Camille Paris

The presence of technology is rapidly increasing across golf courses in Spain, marking a significant shift in the country’s golfing landscape. With 30 golf clubs already equipped with Toptracer technology, and more poised to follow suit, Spain is renowned as Europe’s premier tourist destination with over 100 million visitors last year (according to Statista).

This technological advancement not only enhances the business potential for clubs, but also distinguishes them from competitors, attracting new enthusiasts to the sport. Traditionally, tourist golfers prefer spending their time playing 18 holes under the Spanish sun. Despite the increasing familiarity with technology such as GPS on buggies, driving ranges habits have remained somewhat conventional in comparison.

Las Colinas Golf Club is spearheading efforts to infuse technology into the driving range experience, introducing new technology to offer novel training experiences, classes and socializing opportunities with friends. The club has innovatively introduced a “Foodie Golf Experience,” inviting golfers to enjoy evenings of golf games paired with delectable dining and drinks, redefining the European conventional notion of golfing entertainment.

Technology is making golf teaching evolve, and we can’t ignore it. However, despite the benefits that technology brings, it’s essential to acknowledge its limitations. While screens may provide a wealth of information and interactivity, they can also overwhelm kids, detracting from the simplicity and joy of spending time outdoors.

In navigating the role of screen technology in golf instruction, it’s crucial to exercise moderation. Screens should be viewed as a supplementary tool rather than a replacement for traditional teaching methods. As instructors, we must prioritize the holistic development of our students, leveraging technology judiciously to enrich their learning journey.
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1 May 2024

U.S. CUP, REGION UPDATE

United States Golf Teachers Cup – The 28th annual championship will be held Monday and Tuesday, October 7-8, at Painted Desert Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada. Registration can be found at http://www.usgtf.com/uscup.  

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, July 21-22. The entry fee is $250. For more information and to enter, 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 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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