1 Mar 2025

HONG KONG SAR UPDATE

  Besides being the key financial center in Asia, Hong Kong SAR is a unique city that has a good mix of Chinese and Western culture. It celebrates both New Year’s Day on the first of January and the Chinese New Year on the first day of the Lunar Calendar.  According to Chinese tradition, people decorate their homes and prepare traditional cuisine for family gatherings in for the Chinese New Year. “Kung Hei Fat Choy” is the world-known slogan greeting others when people meet during the season. “Red Pockets” (Lucky Money) given to younger generations is also a world-renowned practice that brings out happiness for the season.

A lot of activities like parades and fireworks have been attracting tourists to Hong Kong SAR. In recent years, the mixed culture in Hong Kong SAR has attracted world-class golf events like LIV Golf and the LPGA Tour. Of course, the Hong Kong SAR Open has a long history. The number of tourists coming to Hong Kong SAR for golf events is increasing.

The Hong Kong SAR Golf Teachers Federation (HKGTF) attended the USGTF-Korea national awards in December 2024. It was a great opportunity for the HKGTF to meet with the president, Mr. Brandon Lee, and presidents of other countries such as Japan and Vietnam. It was inspiring to share the development of the WGTF in different Asian countries.

In 2025, the HKGTF will hold a Master Golf Teaching Professional certification course in the spring and a Certified Golf Teaching Professional course in second half of the year. The candidates should give an excellent and professional performance and have the opportunity for a bright future. The HKGTF hopes more WGTF members come to experience the specialness that is Hong Kong SAR, and it looks forward to activities with fellow Asian members of the WGTF in the future.
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1 Mar 2025

NEW REGION, U.S PRO HICKORY CHAMPIONS CROWNED

Southeast – They say there are two sure things in life, death and taxes. You might want to add a third to that list: Ron Cox wins a USGTF region championship. The septuagenarian from Nashville, Tennessee, did it again, capturing the Southeast Region Championship with a two-stroke victory over reigning United States Golf Teachers Cup champion Ken Kim from Orlando, Florida. Cox has now won multiple championships in the Southeast, Central and Southwest championships.

Cox fired rounds of 72-75 -147 to edge Kim by two strokes. Cole Golden from Orlando, Florida, finished third; Tony McMullin from Cincinnati, Ohio fourth and Mark Harman from Ridgeland, South Carolina, fifth to round out the money winner in the main pool. The event was held February 25-26 at Harbor Hills Country Club in Lady Lake, Florida.

U.S. Pro Hickory – USGTF member Mike Stevens finally did it: He captured his own tournament, the United States Professional Hickory Championship, played February 16 at the historic Temple Terrace Country Club in Tampa, Florida. Stevens won the prestigious John Shippen Cup (honoring America’s first golf professional), edging out Carlos de Barros by a stroke. With his victory, Stevens – a USGTF Hall-of Famer – has won virtually every important hickory championship this country has to offer.
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1 Mar 2025

“PRO” FILE – TOURING PROFESSIONAL LUDVIG ÅBERG

He was ranked number one a couple of years ago in the PGA Tour University ranking system coming out of Texas Tech University, giving him automatic membership on the PGA Tour. And since then, Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg (pronounced (O-berg) has lived up to lofty expectations with a dramatic rise up the Official World Golf Ranking System, playing in the 2023 Ryder Cup, and winning again on the PGA Tour, this time the Genesis Invitational held at Torry Pines in La Jolla, California.

Starting the final round two shots behind leader Patrick Rodgers, Åberg took control of the tournament with birdies on 13, 14 and 15, capping it off with a birdie on 18 to win by one over Maverick McNealy. The strength of Åberg’s game is from tee-to-green, where he ranked 15th in 2024. He plays a controlled game and when his putter is working, he is a factor in any tournament. Still a young player at the age of 25, Åberg is a rarity these days in that he spent four years in college rather than leave early and turn pro. The move seems to have paid off and look for Åberg to terrorize the Americans in the upcoming 2025 Ryder Cup later this year.
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1 Mar 2025

“PRO” FILE – USGTF MEMBER MICHAEL JONES

Michael Jones is a native of south Florida, born and raised Martin County. He developed his love and passion for the game growing up in The Yacht & Country Club of Stuart. He is a 2006 graduate of Florida State University and is a Certified Golf Teaching Professional through the United States Golf Teachers Federation.

His work experience includes overseeing junior golf programs at North Palm Beach Country Club, serving as the first assistant golf professional at Winston Trails Golf Club, and spending 12 years as director of golf at Riverbend Golf Club in Tequesta, Florida. He is now the head professional at Highlands Ridge Golf Club in Avon Park, Florida. Jones has been with Riverbend Golf Club for over 12 years and has given over 8,000 lessons in his time as a certified professional. He gained his full certification with the USGTF in 2016.
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1 Mar 2025

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – REGAN BOBICH

By Mike Gruber, USGTF Member I’ve been a member of the USGTF for a short period of time (5 years). When I was getting ready to retire from an IT career in healthcare, I needed to find something I enjoyed doing while also trying to give back to organizations or individuals that could benefit from my knowledge and experience. My son has a lot of contacts at the CCIW (College Conference of Illinois Wisconsin) and I asked him to let me know if anyone might need a swing coach and low and behold Elmhurst University called, we spoke and they hired me.

About two weeks into the season, I met the team and started to work with them. The more I spoke with the head coach and other golfers, I was constantly reminded about this “stud” freshman (Regan Bobich) that just arrived on campus. I usually take things with a grain of salt, but I was anxious to spend some time getting to know her and her game. When I first observed her, I couldn’t believe that this 5’2”, maybe 110-pound woman was crushing the ball with such finesse and consistency. Her short game and putting were also very solid. Her swing was so sound I thought I was watching one of the women on the LPGA tour – a bit of a stretch but she was really locked in at practice.

As I got to know Regan and her game, we made very few mechanical adjustments, and I found myself helping her frame out the mental side and strategizing more on course management. She was already ahead of everyone, having a good grasp on the mechanics, but we continued to tweak things from season to season. Once she gets to the range and transitions to the course her intensity increases tenfold. Even though she is a truly exceptional golfer she is even better at acting as she pursues her major in theatre with the hope of landing on Broadway one day. That said, she has a heart the size of California and will go out of her way to help anyone and everyone no matter what the situation is. Not only is she an exceptional golfer, but she’s also an even better person both on and off the course.

Regan has had an extraordinary career at Elmhurst in the CCIW, and she graduates in May. She will eventually be inducted into the Elmhurst Hall of Fame as the top woman golfer.
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1 Mar 2025

USGTF INDUSTRY PARTNER – SWING PROFILE

Link: https://itunes.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1039981052 (iOS) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.swingprofile.swingprofile_android (Android)

50%-off Swing Profile Golf Analyzer Coach Subscription in February 2025

Golf coaching is easy with Swing Profile golf analyzer! For the month of February 2025, we are offering 50% off Swing Profile “Coach” version. Download app and try now! For more information, please contact info@swingprofile.com.

Features of Swing Profile golf app for coaches include:
  1. Available on both iOS and Android (“Coach” version only on iOS)
  2. PGA Show award-winning “Auto Capture” technology for golf analysis and self-training.
  3. “Ball tracker” for instant ball trajectories tracking
  4. Easy “voiceover” for recording your voice and drawing Automatic video backup to secure cloud storage and video synchronization across devices
  5. Easy video exchange with students on both Swing Profile app and email
  6. “Student Lockers” system for organizing student videos
  7. Enlist your coaching business on our “Coach directory” to be seen by hundreds of thousands of Swing Profile users National Office at (772) 88-USGTF
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1 Mar 2025

– A GREAT GOLF TEACHER NEEDS TO KNOW MORE THAN JUST GOLF SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES –



The most respected golf instructors in the world are known for their technical expertise, but their students and the public in general believe that they are experts in all things golf. This includes knowledge of the rules, equipment, current events on the major tours, public relations and public speaking, and perhaps agronomy.

That’s a lot to ask! But it is expected of today’s expert golf instructors that they are a resource of accurate and pertinent information in all fields associated with the game. The only thing worse than a golf instructor admitting they don’t know the answer to something basic that they should know is giving inaccurate information on said subject. People who are proven wrong in their knowledge lose credibility instantly with that person or audience that they are dealing with, and that is perhaps the worst-case scenario above admitting ignorance of the subject.

Fortunately, most USGTF and PGA members are golf “geeks,” so to speak, and follow the game intently in all facets. This is not to say that we need to know every little detail about everything that is going on, but being able to provide an answer or solution to things other than the golf swing is important if we are to reach the highest possible heights of our profession.
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1 Feb 2025

VALUE OF WGTF MEMBERSHIP AND DIGITAL CARD IMPORTANT BENEFIT OF USGTF MEMBERSHIP

The only worldwide body of golf teaching professionals happens to be aligned with the USGTF, and that is the World Golf Teachers Federation. Consisting of over 88 member nations, the WGTF serves to further the interests of all member federations, including the USGTF.

All USGTF members will receive a WGTF digital membership card, a valuable commodity that gives members worldwide recognition. In addition, it comes with an array of benefits, including the ability to transfer membership to another member nation upon relocation. Digital membership cards can be found at http://www.WGTF.com/member-search-2.
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1 Feb 2025

DUES RENEWAL NOTICE AND REMINDER

Being a member of the USGTF has many benefits and advantages. In addition to having the right to identify yourself as a USGTF member, members also receive professional recognition, personal use discount programs from most major manufacturers, access to discounted liability insurance, ongoing professional education opportunities and chances to compete with and meet fellow members at our regional and national championship events.

Those wishing to remain a member in good standing are reminded that if you haven’t paid your dues for 2025, they are now past due. If you have any questions, you may contact the USGTF National Office at (772) 88-USGTF or (772) 595-6490. You may also write to the National Office at info@usgtf.com or member_services@usgtf.com.
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1 Feb 2025

WGTF IN PROCESS OF REBUILDING GERMAN FEDERATION

Germany, represented by the Deutschland Golf Teachers Federation (DGTF), was one of the earliest members of the World Golf Teachers Federation when the WGTF was formed in 1993. After an initial period of strong growth under the late Achim Picht, the DGTF’s momentum stalled. A couple of revival efforts in recent years fell short.

Today, the DGTF is being reformulated as the WGTF of Germany under the leadership of Bjorn Beekman, who currently runs the WGTF of The Netherlands. Germany has the second-most golfers of any European country behind only England, so the demand for qualified teaching professionals should be strong. The WGTF, under the direction of USGTF president and CEO Brandon Lee, is assisting in Beekman’s efforts and should produce strong results for 2025.
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