The recognition program for the world’s most outstanding youth instructors is dominated by golf staff professionals at U. S. club and resort properties, including 15 who achieved Master Kids Teacher status for now having made the Top 50 list three times. All of the winners will be recognized with a special presentation on January 24 at the PGA Show.
U.S. Kids Golf has announced the 2017 recipients of the Top 50 Kids Teachers Award, through its program that annually recognizes the world’s most outstanding youth golf instructors. The newest list of recipients represent 26 states as well as five international countries.
“These coaches are honored as much more than instructors of golf,” explained Dan Van Horn, the President and Founder of U.S. Kids Golf. “They create outstanding opportunities for young golfers to learn in a fun and rewarding environment that instills a love for the game and encourages the entire family to enjoy the game. Their ability to connect with students and fully engage them in the learning process sets them apart.”
Since 2004, U.S. Kids Golf has recognized golf’s best teachers with the Top 50 Kids Teacher Award. Applicants complete an online survey and winners are selected based on a variety of factors that grade their contributions to youth golf. Considerations include, but are not limited to, experience, innovation, creativity, communication, parental engagement, organization, devotion and growing the game.
Teachers who receive this recognition three times are then awarded a Master Kids Teacher Award. Since these awards were introduced in 2008, 155 coaches have earned this elite status, including an additional 21 in 2017.
“This is the highest distinction we have,” noted Van Horn. “These are the professionals that have demonstrated a long-term dedication to youth golf and truly embody the spirit of the U.S. Kids Golf mission.”
The Top 50 Kids Teachers and Master Kids Teachers will be recognized on Wednesday, January 24th with a special presentation during the PGA Show in Orlando, Florida.
These professionals at U.S. club and resort properties were among those included in the 2017 Top 50 Kids Teachers recognition:
Jennifer Barnsley, Race Brook Country Club, Orange, Conn.
Matt Barton, The Wyndgate, Rochester Hills, Mich.
Tasha Bohlig, El Caballero Country Club, Tarzana, Calif.
Zachary Bowcut, Nibley Park Golf Club, Salt Lake City, Utah
Alexandra Braga, Denver Country Club, Denver, Colo.
Mark Caldwell, Canyon Springs Golf Club, San Antonio, Texas
Todd Casabella, Barrington Golf Club, Aurora, Ohio
Susan Crowley, Blackhawk Country Club, Danville, Calif.
Tony Decker, Purpoodock Club, Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Brian Fallon, Westchester Country Club, Rye, N.Y.
Chrissy Felton, Sea Island Golf Performance Center, St. Simons Island, Ga.
Alexander Fisher, The Glacier Club, Durango, Colo.
Michael Gervais, Bridgeport Country Club, Bridgeport, W. Va.
Kent Graham, Army Navy Country Club, Arlington, Va.
Mary Hafeman, Missing Links Golf Course, Mequon, Wis.
Jim Hardy, Longleaf Golf & Family Club, Southern Pines, N.C.
Kyle Hess, GreatHorse, Hampden, Mass.
Jeffrey Hirose, Diamond Bar Golf Club, Diamond Bar, Calif.
Marshall Hoiness, The Minikahda Club, Minneapolis, Minn.
Ryan Kalista, Tamarack Country Club, Greenwich, Conn.
Paul Kaster, Forsgate Country Club, Monroe Township, N.J.
Cathy Kim, TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nev.
Justin Klemballa, Paradise Valley Country Club, Paradise Valley, Ariz.
Mary Beth Kohberger, Black Bear Golf Club, Franklin, N.J.
Meredith Loosse, Woodcreek Golf Club, Roseville, Calif.
Courtney Mahon, Falcon Ridge Golf Club, Lenexa, Kan.
Wade Martin, The Villages Golf Academy, The Villages, Fla.
Kelli McKandless, Brookhaven Country Club, Dallas, Texas
Bill Murchison, Towne Lake Hills Golf Club, Woodstock, Ga.
Brad Petashnick, Riviera Country Club, Coral Gables, Fla.
Boykin Powers, Charleston Municipal Golf Course, Charleston, S.C.
Rico Riciputi, Wentworth By The Sea Country Club, Rye, N.H.
Tina Tombs, Arizona Biltmore Golf Club & Resort, Phoenix, Ariz.
Scott Wells, CommonGround Golf Club, Aurora, Colo.
Wade Wilson, El Niguel Country Club, Laguna Niguel, Calif.
In addition, these professionals at U.S. club and resort properties were among those who achieved Master Kids Teachers status in 2017:
Roger Adams, Highfields Golf & Country Club, Grafton, Mass.
Leighann Albaugh, Magnolia Green Golf Club, Moseley, Va.
Paul Belongie, RiverPines Golf Club, Johns Creek, Ga.
Allen Burton, Lake Hickory Country Club, Hickory, N.C.
Eva Chaffin, Santa Maria Golf Course, Baton Rouge, La.
Kelli Corlett, Haggin Oaks Golf Complex, Sacramento, Calif.
Bryan Heim, Columbine Country Club, Columbine Valley, Colo.
Sally Krystyn, Shadow Glen, The Golf Club, Olathe, Kan.
Sean Lanyi, Royal Oaks Country Club, Vancouver, Wash.
Gene Powell, Four Bridges Country Club, Liberty Township, Ohio
Eddie Roethlisberger, Ponca City Country Club, Ponca City, Okla.
Tom Shea, Eagles Golf Club, Tampa, Fla.
Jim Sykes, The Landings Club, Savannah, Ga.
Adam Williamson, Rumson Country Club, Rumson, N.J.
Phillip Yudys, Glen Oak Country Club, Glen Ellyn, Ill.
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.