It has been 11 months since USGTFSingapore was given a new lease on life. As the new director, I was able to conduct three Level III certification courses, adding 15 newly certified teaching professionals to the membership base of USGTF-Singapore. In addition to the certification courses, a continuous mentorship program was made available to help new and aspiring teaching professionals succeed in their teaching careers. It is good to report that those who have opted to teach full-time after the certification courses are indeed doing very well.

From the onset, I decided the only way for a professional body like USGTF-Singapore to gain our indisputable recognition in Singapore was to impose a high standard of playing ability and professional integrity. Although this would somewhat impede rapid growth of new affiliates, it proved to be the correct move for bringing in new candidates with the right quality. With that, USGTF-Singapore has now been recognized as the number one force to be reckoned with in the golf teachers’ certification arena.

As a sign of renewed confidence and recognition, it is also good to report that more affiliates from earlier certifications also had their teaching licenses renewed. The process of uniting the entire body of the USGTF-Singapore affiliates from the past and current leadership is indeed a challenging task. As the saying goes, respect has to be earned. So, this new directorship intends to prove to all affiliates, new and old, that we are single-minded about bringing the USGTF name to even greater heights in Singapore. There will be no compromise in trying to achieve that.

I wish all WGTF nations the very best and I certainly enjoy hearing from so many WGTF members throughout the world.

My name is Ron Mackenzie, and golf has been a part of my life since I can remember. I am a South African Destination Specialist, having travelled the country extensively – looking after ambassadors, royalty, CEO’s, Hollywood celebrities, corporate groups, and couples wanting a romantic break! Some of my clients have required concierge services with extreme attention to detail, and others have preferred to be left to themselves. Most wish to go on Safari; many are on business, some busy, some relaxed, and some wish to play a game we love – golf.

I am looking for professional golf teachers who wish to bring their clients on golfing Safari’s. In some cases, I can facilitate that there is no cost on the tour leaders’ travel (this is for groups of eight or more, or two four-balls). The professional golf teacher who books golf tours will receive 10 percent of the value of the tour, and, as mentioned for groups, a paid African Golf Safari! Top-notch tours can vary from $2,500 per person to $40,000 per person (based on one week stay).

My company will present tours or tailor one to meet your and your clients’ needs. Please mail me expressing your interest and we will take it from there.

Kind Regards,
Ron Mackenzie
ron.mackenzie@neoafrica.com

We are proud to share the good news that the USGTF-Korea has formed a relationship with the very reputable Hoseo University. With our current 10,000 members base and our continued pursuit of certifying golf teaching professionals in Korea, USGTF-Korea has recognized the importance in partnering with our long-established educational institutions.

Undoubtedly, there is a common desire to pursue excellence in teaching golf to Korean citizens. Therefore, USGTF-Korea and Hoseo University intend to partner in synergistic joint efforts. The president of Hoseo University, Il Ku Kang, and the USGTF-Korean organization agreed that a program will be developed for specially-talented golf athletes. Both Hoseo University and the USGTF-Korea agree to pursue the same high standards while developing this program to educate, train and nurture talent. We are excited for this new endeavor, and continue to positively impact the sport of golf.

Korea Tournament News
The first USGTF-Korea golf tournament of this year was held on May 29, 2009, at Imperial Lake Country Club. Congratulations to all the winners on our leader board.

It was a beautiful fall day for our CGTF Alberta Open, held this past September 13 at Shawnee Slopes Golf Club in Calgary. With temperatures in the low 20’s Celsius, a 20-k.p.h. breeze and clear blue skies, it was a perfect day to play golf.

Teaching professionals came from as far north as Edmonton and as far south as Lethbridge to compete for the coveted Open trophy and to win a share of the skins pot and prize money. Play was from the back tees, and the course provided an excellent challenge, playing to a par 70. The winning score was 72, shot by Kelly Schmidt of Picture Butte, Alberta. Second place with a score of 74 was Tony Zummack, from the Real Swing Golf Academy in Calgary. In third place was Peter Jeon of Calgary, shooting a 77. The three top skins winners were Schmidt, Bob Taverner, and Zummack, who had an eagle 2 on the par-4 first hole.

We were treated extremely well by the host club and its head professional, CGTF member Kevin Moote. The prize money, donated by our sponsors Prudential Toole, Peet Real Estate, and Ace Clubworks was a nice bonus. At a meeting after the tournament, it was agreed that we’ll be back to Kananaskis next year, and we are hoping for a little regional competition at that time.

Hajime Morita, a Level IV member, was nominated and accepted as the head teaching professional at the legendary Tokyo Golf Club.

The Japanese government supports certain corporations that provide public service in the areas of charity, science, technology, and education.

Tokyo Golf Club, located in Sayama, Saitama, Japan, is one of only a few “corporate” golf courses and has 97 years of history. Hajime is the first head pro of this particular facility who is not a Japan PGA member. He will coach members of the club and trainees of the club who aim to be tour professionals.

Hajime has been working as the executive officer in the Japan GTF and contributes greatly to improving the teaching quality of the members. His appointment as the head pro at the Tokyo Golf Club is further proof of the inroads the Japan GTF has made throughout Japan. Interestingly, when Hajime starts to hit golf balls on any driving range, spectators crowd together to witness his exemplary golf swing and ball-striking abilities.

The World Golf Teachers Federation-Netherlands continues to grow at a consistent pace. This coming year marks its 10-year anniversary, and during this period has certified over 200 members.

Through the tireless efforts of Rene Imthorn and Edward Verstraten, the federation has progressed rapidly. With a quality educational format and many innovative features, the WGTF-Netherlands offers one of the top golf teaching professional certifications in all of Europe and the world.

The unique system of education features an emphasis on communication and technical skills. At each certification course, each teacher has extensive training with “live” students. This provides an educational experience that takes classroom theory into real-world teaching situations. Course examiners provide feedback on quality of teaching and technical skills as well as student/teacher interaction.

One of the advantages of the WGTF system is that many potential teachers come to the certification course with many years of experience in various career fields. Over the years, we have certified teachers from such diverse backgrounds such as tour players, secret service officers, doctors, lawyers, and professional sports stars – all who simply want to be a golf teaching professional. Imagine the wealth of knowledge in such a group of professionals!

This past July in France, the WGTF-Netherlands certified 10 new members. Our host site was Golf Montgriffon, which is situated just north of Paris. It is the perfect facility for a certification course with a large practice range, 27 holes of golf, compact course, restaurant and hotel. The experience and talent brought to the course was again impressive. Among the attendees were tennis professionals, playing professionals, business entrepreneurs, current golf teaching professionals, and educators.

The teaching standard was high, and all of the students who received lessons from our teachers were very impressed with the quality of instruction they received. Many stated that it was the best lesson they had ever had. One gentleman who had played golf for over 15 years and had taken many lessons said that this was the first time a golf teaching professional had been so clear and effective in teaching. He then went out and played seven shots lower than his handicap.

The World Golf Teachers Federation would like to congratulate the WGTF-Netherlands on its 10-year anniversary and looks forward to future success.