1 Jul 2024

“PRO” FILE – USGTF MEMBER J.T. SMART

By J.T. Smart

My story begins as a brain tumor survivor at the age of 18 months old. The main side effect of removing the tumor was loss of the fine motor skills to my right side. In other words, my right side is as strong as most 10-year-olds’ at best, and I am missing a lot of dexterity most people would take for granted. It also affected my memory in regard to long-term and retention.

With all that being said, these disabilities brought me to golf at the age of 12, and golf was a sport that made me feel like everyone else. I competed at the varsity high school level as a freshman, winning a valley championship and dozens of tournaments on various junior tours. I also volunteered at several junior clinics throughout those years year. My golf journey continued in college and mini-tour events, and I even got to caddy for my great friend in his early start on the PGA Tour.

These stepping-stones lead me to a career in golf instruction. The notches in my belt I acquired throughout my years of competitive golf, combined with my unique perspective on how to swing the club, has shaped the teaching philosophy I have today. I gained my USGTF Certified Golf Teaching Professional status in 2014 under the mentorship of Master USGTF instructor Jim Perez, a man I admire not only for golf instruction, but for his ability to communicate to his clients. I also acquired a TPI Golf certification; an International Golf Psychology Association certification through the USGTF; a U.S. Kids Golf certification and Vector Green Reading certification, thanks to Hector Avila, who’s also a USGTF instructor.

As of today, I am married to a wonderful girl named Kelsey and we have bonded over playing the game of golf together. We love playing new courses with each other, and of course, we both love the competition of couples’ events. I have an indoor teaching facility where I give more than 1,000 lessons a year. I coach for the Fresno City College golf team, and I have built a golf program with a team of club fitters, personal trainers and instruction, all in the aim to help reach my clients’ maximum potential.
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1 Jul 2024

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – CLAIRE YOUNG

Claire Young from Los Angeles started playing golf at the age of 7, and only two years later the competitive bug bit. She started playing in U.S. Kids Golf tournaments on a regular basis. She picks up the story:

“My dad would drive me all over California for the tournaments. When I turned 12, I played in my first AJGA tournament. I joined a country club near the school, where I practiced most of the time after school. Later, I was accepted into Harvard-Westlake School and became the number two player on the team. Golf has given me the opportunity to learn about discipline, patience and hard work.”

The Harvard-Westlake girls golf team won the Mission League championship in 2021 and 2022, with Claire earning All-League honors. She had an 18-hole best of 71 in 2023 at the CIFSS Ford Girls Golf Individual, and regularly shoots in the 70s. She was voted Stanford Player/Camper of the Week in 2022 by members of the Stanford women’s golf team and their coach, quite an honor considering she was one of 125 campers.

USGTF member Astrid Hussenjian is her former coach but keeps in regular contact with Claire. Hussenjian said, “I coached her and her sister for many years, but now they have other coaches, which is pretty normal in golf. We are still friends and I follow their journey, and once in a while I get asked to watch their swings, give them advice and play on the course with them.”
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1 Jul 2024

USGTF INDUSTRY PARTNER – SWING PROFILE

50%-off Swing Profile Golf Analyzer Coach Subscription in July 2024

Golf coaching is easy and fun with Swing Profile golf analyzer! Now for the month of July 2024, we are offering 50% off Swing Profile “Coach” version, as well as 50% off our golf putt training app “Putt Profile” (www.puttprofile.com). Download the apps and try now! For more information, please contact info@swingprofile.com.

Features of Swing Profile golf app for coaches include:

•  PGA Show award-winning “Auto Capture” technology for golf analysis and student self-training.

• “Ball tracker” for instant ball trajectories tracking

• Easy “voiceover” for recording your voice and drawing Automatic video backup to secure cloud storage and video synchronization across devices

• Easy video exchange with students on both Swing Profile app and email

• “Student Lockers” system for organizing student videos

• Enlist your coaching business on our “Coach directory” to be seen by hundreds of thousands of Swing Profile users

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1 Jul 2024

EDITORIAL – WGTF TOP 50: AWARD AND VALUE

In any field of endeavor, there are those who separate themselves from the rest. The WGTF Top 50 was inaugurated years ago to recognize those who have achieved and maintained a standard that is among the highest in the golf teaching industry. Those who are on the list can truly be proud of this accomplishment.

There might be a misconception that those who did not make the list are not as “good” at teaching as those on the list. This is certainly far from the case. In selecting the overall Top 50, other factors are taken into consideration, such as years of service to the golf industry, published items, peer recognition and growing the game initiatives, for example. In other words, those who are on the list are there because they possess a list of attributes that goes far beyond just teaching ability alone.

The list also recognizes the global structure of the golf teaching industry, as there are fine teachers and coaches in all corners of the Earth. There are a variety of teaching styles represented — which is important — as no one teaching style fits all students.

The list is updated every two years, and look for the 2024-25 list to be featured soon.
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1 Jun 2024

USGTF/WGTF ACHIEVES ANOTHER MILESTONE: WGTF-NETHERLANDS RECOGNIZED BY NGF

 
In an email to WGTF-Netherlands president Bjorn Beekman, the Netherlands Golf Federation (NGF) has officially recognized WGTF-Netherlands to be on equal footing with the PGA of Holland as an association of golf professionals. This means all WGTF-Netherlands Level 3 and Level 4 professionals can now compete in NGF professional events, as previously this was only reserved for members the PGA of Holland.

This matters a great deal, according to Beekman. “It is indicative of the continued growth and improvement of WGTF Netherlands and the entire WGTF,” he stated. “It is a sign that golf governing bodies worldwide are beginning to respect the strength and legitimacy of the WGTF.”

Beekman went on to say, “I think customers always have to have a choice. When you like fast food, you can choose McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King, etc. I think it’s good to see the difference between both education organizations, We as the WGTF are more for the adults with life experience and a life before golf, so we help them in a career change. Everybody is welcome to join the WGTF who has a passion for golf.”  
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1 Jun 2024

US CUP REGISTRATION ONGOING

Registration for the 28th annual United States Golf Teachers Cup at Painted Desert Golf Course in Las Vegas, Nevada, is available at https://www.usgtf.com/uscup. The national championship event of the USGTF features play in three divisions: Open, Senior (50+) and Super Senior (68+). The U.S. Cup has many regular players who return every year to renew old friendships, make new ones, and to compete for national honors. If you have yet to experience a U.S. Cup, please do yourself a favor and consider joining us this year!
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1 Jun 2024

NEWS FROM TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

By Anthony Benny

At present, I am working with mostly junior golfers. It is a joy and a pleasure to work with them and listen to their feedback on the lesson. There are two very outstanding youngsters, Isabella Ramdeen and Harper Lane, whom I teach at St. Andrews Golf Club, Moka, and Pointe-a-Pierre Golf Club Ltd. The number of junior golfers has declined to less than half of what it was six months ago.

I am also working with the national junior team, in which 12-year-old Isabella is a member. I have a strong belief that this young lady will go places. Her love and commitment to the game is unbelievable! Meanwhile, Harper reminds me of the movie “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” His parents came to me at golf class one day and said, “Coach, we are having a problem sleeping at night. Harper hits balls at very odd times at night. He loves the game!” He is only 8 years old.

Before I end, I would like to say greetings from the beautiful twin islands of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago to all my USGFT friends – Jennifer, Bob, Mark, and Geoff, and not forgetting my old friend Bob Jaffe. I stand as a proud USGTF Certified Golf Teaching Professional.
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1 Jun 2024

REGION UPDATE

  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 Jun 2024

“PRO” FILE – XANDER SCHAUFFELE

They say good things come to those who wait, and Xander Schauffele epitomizes that to a tee. He finally broke through in a major championship to win the PGA Championship in May. Schauffele rises to his highest world ranking, number two, after the victory.

He had been a consistent performer in the majors for years, often contending but never crossing the finish line first. Either someone would have a hot final round or he would falter, but not this time. Needing about a 7-foot putt on the last hole to secure victory, Schauffele’s putt found the left side of the hole, akin to how Tiger Woods made his putt 24 years ago on the 72nd hole at the same course, Valhalla in Louisville, Kentucky, to edge Bryson DeChambeau by a stroke.

Schauffele said after the victory that if you dream something long enough, it will happen, and it certainly did this time. With the talent he possesses, it’s hard to believe this will be his only major victory. Outside of Scottie Scheffler’s performance this year, Schauffele has been the next best competitor, even though he lacked a victory until now. Yes, Schauffele dreamed it, he waited, and good things did indeed come to him.
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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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