September 2023 Archives - United States Golf Teachers Federation

1 Sep 2023 admin

CANADA CUP 2023

By Peter Jaklic Under an overcast sky with a steady drizzle, the stage was set for the 2023 CGTF Cup at Tyandaga Golf and Country Club in Burlington, Ontario, August 24. Although not long, Tyandaga proved to be quite a challenge, especially in the wet conditions. Our longtime member, Brad Weake, and his entire team at Tyandaga were, once again, incredible hosts. In the end, there were almost 30 CGTF members competing. This year, more golfers were able to break the 80 mark than last year. Our president, Marc Ray, had the tournament round of his life, shooting a 71 despite a triple bogey on the narrow par-5 17th. Peter Jaklic was runner-up, carding a 76, and new member J.P. Van Rooyen rounded out the top three by overcoming some early nerves to shoot an impressive 77. Mel Hennigar, Alex Chan and Urb Van Bendegem came in at 78. A friendly putting and chipping competition was awaiting all members upon the completion of their rounds. Our CGTF educational lead, Jeff Howe, continued to provide us with teaching tools, training aids and discussion points to help us all learn from one another’s experiences. This sharing of knowledge simply added to the sentiment of camaraderie. As the afternoon progressed, all of us were honored by a visit from our former president and founder, Bob Bryant. Bob eloquently shared his thoughts about our growing organization and reaffirmed that our present leadership, under Marc Ray, is one of the pivotal reasons to our great success. As a token of appreciation, the CGTF Cup has now been renamed the Bob Bryant Trophy to recognize the growth of the organization over the formative years under Bob’s tenure.

“PRO” FILE – USGTF MEMBER JAMES O’NEIL

By Jim O’Neil

My golf story is a long one; I’ll give everyone a break with some highlights. At 10 years old, I had my first golf lesson at Eagle Haven Golf Course with head pro Lefty on Little Creek Amphibious Base in Virginia. Yep, very close to Seal Team Six training quarters.

My journey in golf is actually a very humbling one, so please understand this is my story. I’m not at all bragging about my accomplishments in this wonderful game of golf. In 1980, I made the Kempsville High School golf team, mainly because of head pro Jack Harvey at NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach (Aeropines Golf Course). My father would buy me two lessons a year, and then both my father and Jack told me to practice. I practiced so much I ended up on a college NAIA golf team and won player of the year twice.

In 1986, I took my first PGA apprenticeship job under the then-active president of The Middle Atlantic PGA section, Don Saylor, at River Bend Country Club in Great Falls, Virginia. In 1990, I moved home to Virginia Beach and took a job under, again, an active president of the MAPGA, Gene Mattare.

After three years of soul-searching, wondering if I was a player or a businessman in the PGA, I decided to get away from the game completely and focus on my new love. Mrs. Mia O’Neil entered my life, and we started our family under the wonderful global company Stihl Incorporated in Virginia Beach. Team Stihl allowed us to raise our three children Lashar, Brenden and Tameria for 28 years.

Currently, the United States Golf Teachers Federation has given me a rebirth in golf. I’m currently a Stihl retiree who plays in our company golf league on Thursdays. Now – praise God – I’m the full-time golf instructor at NAS Oceana and I’m in training to win again on what I call the teachers tour.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – COOPER FISCHER

By Sean Moore, USGTF, Alexandria-Virginia

Throughout my career in athletics and golf, I have had the privilege of working with numerous talents of all ages and genders. One of my first students when taking over as director of golf at Rudy’s Golf and Sports Bar in Alexandria, Virginia, was a young man named Cooper Fischer. He was an 11-year-old that was very new to golf but had tremendous experience in soccer. He wanted to give golf a try and was incredibly shy and unsure of what the future held for him in the sport.

We began our journey together once a week and truly started from scratch. We wanted him to eventually gain enough skill sets and confidence that he could play with his uncle and father. Cooper quickly began to show improvement, but more importantly, he started to get that sparkle in his eye when we worked together as you could see he was beginning to love the sport. Cooper was persistent in his pursuit to not only improve his swing, but he thrived on learning about course management, terminology, history and the people that have paved the way for golfers of all ages. With the support of his entire family, Cooper developed a tremendous swing and has built his confidence as a young man. He hits the range two or three times a week, including his structured lessons, and now reports back to me weekly regarding his strengths and weaknesses from his previous sessions.

Cooper and I have built a tremendous friendship as instructor and student. We grind on the range together while sharing a bag of sour gummies or a basket of fries. His post-lesson tradition: to sit with his family and have the famous grilled cheese from Rudy’s Golf. The Fischer family has not only supported their son and his drive to be a better golfer, but they have embraced the lifestyle. Cooper’s dad has also found a new spark as well and is excited about sharing the game again with his son. Cooper and I will continue to work together, and he may choose to try competition at some point.

However, in my eyes he has already won. He discovered the sport we all love so much. He’s improved his swing, his knowledge and his confidence. He is a tremendous example of hard work and commitment. He reminds me every week of why I choose to teach golf for a living, and I can’t wait to see the things Cooper is able to accomplish on and off the course.