GOLF TEACHING PRO MAGAZINE^®
 

	PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
	By Geoff Bryant USGTF President and C.E.O.

This past year was an incredible period of growth for the USGTF, culminating with the World Golf Teachers Cup in Boulder City, Nevada. Teaching professionals from over 25 WGTF member nations attended the four-day event, which also included the annual United States Golf Teachers Cup. I, like so many other members, look forward to these events, and especially the opportunity to compete against our golf teaching peers from throughout the world.

James Douris from Australia successfully defended his United States Golf Teachers Cup title. Christopher Richards from Trinidad won the World Golf Teachers Cup individual event and Team Caribbean won the World Team event.

For 2009, we have had invitations to host the next Word Golf Teachers Cup in Trinidad, Scotland, Spain, Australia, Canada and Korea. I am pleased to say that an official decision has in fact been made and will be found as you read further into this publication.

A few weeks prior to these events, I had been invited by USGTF-Korea president Sammy Oh to compete in a Yamaha Golf-sponsored event for golf teaching professionals in the country of Korea. The total purse was $100,000 and the event was televised nationally. Sammy and his staff did a great job in conducting the tournament. In fact, the following month, a Korean golf company, Gigi Golf, sponsored another event for teaching pros, with the same purse value.

Many member nations now conduct their own annual national golf teachers championships, and all World Golf Teachers Federation members are more than welcome to participate in any of these events. Please check the web for dates and locations and always confirm with the particular WGTF president prior to finalizing any travel plans.

On other fronts, the USGTF and many other WGTF nations have made considerable and important strides in securing federal trademark registrations. Specifically, the phrases “certified golf teaching professional” and “master golf teaching professional” are now officially United States federally-registered trademarks, owned by the USGTF. No individuals other than USGTF or WGTF members can professionally or otherwise refer to themselves using these words, or words that are confusingly similar. Since we are an organization of golf teaching professionals, we feel that this benefit will work in the best interest of all members.

We have also just completed the publication of a great new book titled, 100 Tips for Golf Teaching Professionals. It is a collection of friendly advice and well learned lessons written by the USGTF technical committee. It was a couple of years in the making and I am sure you will enjoy the wisdom that the book has to offer. It is available through the USGTF National Office.

On another note, the USGTF’s Teacher of the 20th Century, Julius Richardson, passed away on September 26, 2007. Julius continued to be a friend to so many people in the industry to the very end. While his passing is a sad occasion, memories of Julius’s zest for life and winning personality should bring a smile to those who knew him. A tribute to Julius can be found in this edition of Golf Teaching Pro.

Here’s hoping 2008 brings you much happiness and success in the golf teaching industry.