Product Spotlight – Longtime Industry Partner Callaway Golf
In 1998 when Callaway Golf founder Ely Callaway first became apprised of the USGTF, he took a deep interest in the organization and remained a staunch supporter until his passing in 2001. Callaway’s support for the USGTF continues to this day, as Master and Certified Golf Teaching professionals are eligible for a 30% discount below wholesale price, while Associate Members are allocated a 10% discount. To take advantage of this program, please contact Lucero Padilla at Lucero.Padilla@callawaygolf.com for VIP access.
Student Spotlight – Fisher Duncan
Fisher Duncan is a 10-year-old junior golfer from Lafayette, Louisiana, and takes instruction from his coach, WGTF professional Thomas T Wartelle, at the Le Triomphe Golf Academy in Broussard. Fisher has only been playing golf for a few months. After starting with just one club, he is now truly enthralled by the game. He practices every day and has made great improvement in his game. He currently plays on the Le Triomphe Junior League Team. Fisher looks forward to stepping up to other junior competitions. When not golfing, Fisher is a quarterback on his football team.
Fisher is further supported by John Joy, a WGTF Top 50 teacher, U.S. Kids Golf top Instructor, and Golf Digest Top 100 Clubfitter. Joy is an integral part of the team at Le Triomphe Golf Academy. Fisher has recently been fitted and is now playing a new set of irons, wedges, woods and putter.
The Academy has an indoor and outdoor teaching facility featuring the latest teaching technology to provide students with the ultimate golf learning environment. The two indoor hitting bays provide the ability to launch balls onto an outdoor range from the comfort of climate-controlled teaching bays. The extensive outdoor practice area includes a large grass hitting deck, putting greens, chipping green area and sand/grass bunkers.
Golfers from around the globe visit the Academy to hone their golf skills and to enjoy world-class custom clubfitting. The repair shop is world renowned. Please visit the LT Golf Academy online for more information at http://www.ltgolfacademy.com.
Teaching “PRO” File – John Brough
John Brough is a USGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional and Class A PGA member residing in Bigsonia, Pennsylvania. He joined the USGTF in 2009 and completed his Master’s certification in September 2013. Currently Brough is the assistant golf professional at Treesdale Golf and Country Club, located north of Pittsburgh.
Each summer, Brough runs weekly clinics, monthly junior programs, weekly summer camps, and coaches three PGA Junior League teams. Having two 13U teams and one 17U team, which won the highest level of competition last summer. Brough is the lead instructor for the North Hills Golf Academy, where he instructs players of all levels throughout the year. Currently teaching over 200 junior golfers over the course of the year.
In addition to golf instruction and completing day-to-day golf operations at Treesdale. Brough is also heavily involved in golf fitness. Holding all three levels of SuperSpeed training, and several Titleist Performance Institute certifications which include Golf 2, Fitness 2, Power 2 and Junior Golf 2. Brough teaches a variety of individuals in fitness and speed training as well as a lot of golf-related fitness classes in the off-season at Treesdale.
U.S. Open Champions Crowned
June was a month of open championships for the United States Golf Association as both a men’s and women’s champion were crowned. On the ladies’ side, Australia’s Minjee Lee won in record fashion at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in North Carolina, shooting a four-round total of 271 to beat the old scoring record by a stroke. Lee was a previous USGA champion as she also won the U.S. Girls Junior championship in 2012. The U.S. Women’s Open title was her second major championship in her professional career.
On the men’s side, Matt Fitzpatrick from England played a Ben Hogan-esque final round, hitting 17 greens in regulation and wound up defeating runners-up Will Zalatoris and Scottie Scheffler by a stroke. Great things had been predicted for Fitzpatrick, as he has won seven times internationally and, like Minjee Lee, was a former USGA champion, having captured the 2013 U.S. Amateur at the same course as this year’s U.S. Open, The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. Fitzpatrick’s win capped off a run of fine form in 2022.
Region Update: Northeast Winner Crowned, Central Southwest Championships Up Next
Northeast: Steve Pezzino captured the USGTF Northeast Region Championship played June 16 at Mountain View Golf Club in Ewing, New Jersey. Pezzino fired a score of 80 to best runner-up Muhammad Aqeel by three shots. Winners of the various age groups were: 49-and-under, Walter Fung; 50-59, Aqeel; 60-69 Pezzino; 70+, Pete Palmisano, and Ladies, Sharon Barley.
Central: The 2022 Central Region Championship will be held at the City of Mason Golf Center in Mason, Ohio, July 31- August 1. This course hosted the PGA Tour Champions Kroger Classic for almost 20 years; a fair and challenging course from all tees. The champion will have to play two solid rounds to be crowned here! The entry fee of $220 includes 18 holes and cart each day, range balls, skins game and prize fund. Tee times will start at 12:10 p.m. each day. The course is approximately 20 minutes north of Cincinnati, and 40 minutes north of the Greater Cincinnati Airport. It is a straight drive up I-71 with plenty of hotels and food in the area. For more information or to register, contact Central Region director Tony McMullin at tmcmullin72@yahoo.com.
Southwest: Festivities for the 2022 Southwest Region Championship will be held Friday-Sunday, September 9-11, at Twin Creeks Golf Club in Allen, Texas. There will be a welcome dinner the Friday evening, with two rounds of tournament play commencing Saturday. The entry fee is $225 and includes range balls. For more information and to enter, contact region director Bruce Sims at bsims@pga.com.
News From Japan
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By Hajime Morita, Director, USGTF-Japan Though the global spread of the coronavirus continues, the number of infections in Japan is decreasing, with about 60 percent of the population receiving three doses of the effective vaccine. We are gradually returning to normal pre-COVID life. The Japanese government reopened borders to foreign tourists on package tours on June 10. The requirement to wear a face mask outside will be eased soon. As outdoor recreation is recognized to reduce the risk of infection, more and more people got interested in outdoor sports they can enjoy with friends. Golf is a sport played in a large outdoor space and has a lower risk of infection. That is why many players have come back to the golf courses. Most golf courses in Japan are now crowded with a lot of enthusiastic golfers. By taking every possible measure to prevent infections, USGTF-Japan is continuing the same activities we used to do before the pandemic. Along with the growing popularity of golf, the demand for golf teaching professionals is increasing. Our members are now needed more than ever among golfers who want to improve their golf, because they have learned the USGTF`s teachers learned proper methodology and they dedicate their passion for teaching golf to their students.
WGTF Top 50 Nominations Still Due
Nominations for the WGTF Top 50 Teachers and the 2022 Harvey Penick Trophy for Excellence in Golf Teaching are now being accepted. All teachers who wish to be considered must submit their nominations. In addition, after a pandemic-induced two-year absence, the Harvey Penick Trophy will be awarded in 2022. The award is based on teaching accomplishments, service to the golf community and to the game in general.
All USGTF Certified Golf Teaching Professionals and Master Golf Teaching Professionals, are eligible to be nominated for both honors, with the exception that former winners of the Harvey Penick Trophy are ineligible for that award. 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 Friday, September 9, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. EDT.
U.S. Cup Host Hotel Named; Pro-Am Format For Tournament Retained
Hyatt Place Plantation has been named the host hotel for the 26th annual United States Golf Teachers Cup to be held Monday and Tuesday, October 24-25, at Plantation Preserve Golf Club in Plantation, Florida, just west of Fort Lauderdale. Guest rates of $139 are available for king or double rooms from October 22 through October 26. Rooms include daily hot buffet breakfast, Wi-Fi, free parking, and is only seven minutes from Plantation Preserve Golf Club. You may call Hyatt Reservations at (888) 492-8847 and request Rate Code: G-USG1, or to book online visit Click Here.
The U.S. Cup itself will utilize a pro-am format, as in the past. Each USGTF participant is invited to bring an amateur partner to play in the concurrent pro-am, although this is not a requirement to play in the Cup itself. Play will be in four divisions, Open, Senior (ages 50-67), Super Senior (68+), and Ladies. The entry fee is $525 for all participants and includes two rounds of tournament play, range balls prior to play, prize money, and a closing luncheon and awards ceremony.
To register, please go to www.USGTF.com/USCup or call the USGTF National Office at (772)88-USGTF.
www.USGTF.com/USCup